99--Wayside Exhibit Bases

DESCRIPTION: This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION for Commercial Items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only Solicitation; proposals are being requested on or before 4 P.M. local prevailing time on Febuary 26, 2004 and a WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. SOLICITATION NUMBER N1191040004 is issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Wayside Metal Exhibit Base Fabrication. This is a total Small Business Set-Aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 339950. Size standard is 500 employees. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in affect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-18. It is anticipated that up to three awards will be made on or about March 17, 2004. Award(s) will be for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Firm Fixed Price Contract for one year with four one year option periods. The Contractor will be guaranteed a minimum workload of $5,000 and the maximum workload limit will be $200,000 each year. If a Contractor declines to propose or declines work offered by the National Park Service at any time during the contract period, the estimated amount of the project will be subtracted against the minimum guaranteed workload in this contract. BACKGROUND: As one of the nation's principal conservation agencies, the National Park Service (NPS) has the responsibility to protect some of our most treasured natural and cultural resources. In order to preserve these treasures it is important that they be interpreted in ways that help NPS visitors experience them, understand them, and appreciate their value. It is also important that those who visit National Park sites be assured that their visits are safe and enjoyable. Since its earliest days, the NPS has relied on a variety of interpretive media to assist in the effort to protect its resources and to assure the pleasure and safety of its visitors. Among the various media used by the NPS, wayside exhibits provide the most direct interpretation of park sites and features. Because they are located in a park's outdoor environment, "waysides" offer immediate -- and readily available -- sources of information tailored to a specific place and time. No other interpretive medium can match the power of direct association of information and resource, or the convenience of on-site location. Currently, NPS wayside exhibit panels are produced in a limited number of standard sizes and configurations. Refer to the following web address for specifications: http://www.nps.gov/waysite/utilities/idiq/hardware.htm Exhibit panels are usually made in either of three sizes (24" x 36", 24" x 42", or 36" x 48") and in either of two materials (fiberglass embedded screen imaged paper or porcelain-enameled steel panels.) Both types of panels are held in support structures (typically called "bases") that are fabricated from aluminum components, sandblasted, and painted in one of a limited number of colors. Bases are usually fabricated according to standard NPS designs. Occasionally standard base designs are adapted, or original designs are created, to suit unusual installation circumstances. Comprehensive shop drawings are provided. Upon completion of the exhibit base fabrication, the Contractor will ship the finished exhibits to the appropriate park for installation by National Park Service personnel. The contract period will be for one year with the option of extending the contract for four additional one-year periods. PURPOSE: This contract is to meet the exhibit base fabrication requirements of the Department of the Interior, National Park Service and occasionally other agencies of the Government, by providing exhibit base fabrication and exhibit base materials that are fully compatible with required design and production methods, standards, and technologies. All work performed under this contract will be directed by the issuance of Task Orders in accordance with procedures outlined in Section G of the contract. In no event will the Government be responsible for any work performed by the Contractor that is not undertaken pursuant to a Task Order authorized by the Contracting Officer. SCOPE OF WORK: Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment and facilities (except as otherwise specified), necessary for the fabrication of NPS wayside exhibit bases. When fabricating wayside bases, the Contractor shall utilize NPS base design standards. Comprehensive shop drawings and written specifications for all standard bases will be provided by the NPS and are available at http://www.nps.gov/waysite/utilities/idiq/hardware.htm On those occasions when custom bases are required, the NPS will also provide complete drawings and specifications. A. FABRICATION - The Contractor's services shall involve a variety of standard aluminum and steel fabrication services as follows: (1) The aluminum alloy for extruded shapes used in fabrication of NPS wayside bases shall be 6063-T5 or 6061-T6. Occasionally, when photomechanical etching is involved, the Contractor shall use 5052-H32. Aluminum plate alloy shall be 6061-T6. (2) Forming of aluminum and steel sheet to simple box forms shall be limited to 1/8 aluminum and .060 steel. (3) Saw cut-off -- both square and angular -- of standard aluminum and steel bar, rod, tubing, pipe angle, channel, and custom extruded shapes; (4) Shearing of aluminum sheet and plate to 1/4" thickness and steel sheet to .060 thickness; (5) Punching, drilling, tapping, countersinking, counterboring, and similar milling operations; (6) High quality welding of aluminum and steel; (7) Standard mechanical preparation and finishing of aluminum and steel including sandblasting, grinding, sanding, graining, and buffing; (8) Provide the casting or extrusion of shapes unique to NPS wayside exhibit bases and other structures; (9) Final assembly of manufactured components employing a variety of fasteners including screws, bolts, drive rivets, and pop rivets; (10) Application of high quality paint finishes, primarily including sprayed on textured Polane; (11) Installation and wiring to code of basic indoor and outdoor electric lighting components including standard incandescent and florescent fixtures, ballasts, sockets, junction boxes, diffusers, and conduit; (12) Installation of outdoor audio components including transformers, speakers, wiring, activation devices, and terminal strips; and (13) Furnishing of touch-up paint, additional fasteners, and extra parts as required for initial exhibit installation and rehabilitation. B. In addition to the fabrication services identified above, the Contractor shall provide a variety of other services to include: (1) Trimming and milling of fiberglass exhibit panels and custom fitting these panels to exhibit bases; (2) Installation of flat graphic panels and porcelain pans on exhibit assembly substrates; (3) Gluing or otherwise bonding porcelain enamel pans onto substrates. Substrates shall included plywood and particle board with anchoring devices; (4) Rustproofing of exposed edges of porcelain enamel panels; (5) Furnishing acrylic and polycarbonate bulletin case glazing materials; (6) Furnishing the wood components of non-standard exhibit bases and related structures as specified in individual Task Orders; (7) Wrapping, crating, labeling, and loading of exhibits for shipment by land or air freight to points throughout the National Park Service to include: Securely packaging exhibit components in such a manner as to prevent damage during shipment - (may include graphic panels or other components that have been produced by others) and securely attaching external package identification that readily identifies package contents; (8) Shipment of Polane Paint throughout the National Park Service in accordance with all hazardous shipment regulations including Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 100 - 185; (9) Performing minor maintenance on installed exhibit units to maintain quality of appearance and function; (10) Providing the facilities, up to 600 square feet, and labor required to handle and warehouse completed bases and graphic panels prior to their shipment; and (11) Retaining as necessary the records, drawings, tools, jigs, and templates needed to duplicate or rehabilitate exhibit bases. DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: Preservation, packaging, and packing for all shipments or mailing of all required deliverables shall be in accordance with accepted commercial practices. This shall include ample packaging and identification of package contents to prevent deterioration and damage during shipment, provide for easy identification of package contents, and be adequate to ensure acceptance by common carrier for secure transportation at the most economical rates. The F.O.B. Point for all work will be identified in each individual Task Order. Packaging shall also be labeled to ensure easy routing at its destination in accordance with the NPS template requirements. Label information shall include the following: A. Description of the package's content, (e.g. "Wayside exhibit base and graphic panel"); B. Title of the specific exhibit contained, (e.g. "Red Salmon Migration"); C. Exhibit's number, (e.g. "Exhibit Number 15"); and D. Inventory of the contents (e.g. five low profile traditional style bases, trailside bases, etc.) Information shall be rendered clearly, in permanent inks, and positioned to be readily apparent. Seven (7) days prior to delivery, the Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative specified in the Task Order to verify the correct delivery address and advise of exact dates and arrangements made for delivery. All deliverables shall be shipped F.O.B. Destination with all shipping and transportation costs prepaid. PERFORMANCE: A. This Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract will be for one (1) year from the contract effective date. Task Orders may be placed against the Indefinite Quantity Contract at any time during the one (1) year period even though the delivery under a particular Task Order may extend beyond the completion date of the Indefinite Quantity Contract. B. At the option of the Government, this contract may be extended for four (4) separate twelve (12) month periods by the Contracting Officer given written notice of extension to the Contractor prior to the expiration date of this contract. The parties agree that upon issuance of a modification exercising each option year, the following changes will be made to the Contract. (1) The Scope of Work will remain unchanged. (2) The Time for Completion specified in Paragraph A above, will be extended by twelve (12) months. (3) The rates for services and materials will be increased in accordance with the rates set forth in Attachment B, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs. (4) The guaranteed minimum will be increased C. The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of the options will not exceed five (5) years. REVIEW AND APPROVAL: Review and approval under this contract will occur after each deliverable identified in the Task Order. The COTR will notify the Contractor in writing, of approval or rejection of the work. The number of days required for review and approval will be identified in each Task Order. In the event the Government delays comments beyond the period specified, the Contractor shall be entitled to a day-to-day extension of the completion date. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS: The following Provisions and clauses are applicable to this announcement and are available at ww.arnet.gov 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items, 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items, 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government Alternate I, 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside, 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns, 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, 52.222-3 Convict Labor, 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans, 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans, 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration, 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services, 52.216-18 Ordering, 52.245-2 Government Property (Fixed-Price Contracts), 52.227-17 Rights in Data -- Special Works, 52.215-19 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, 52.216-19 Order Limitations, 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity, 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services, 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS: The Government will award to the responsible offeror(s) based on 1. Past Performance, 2. Sample of Work (to include packing and crating of sample) produced by personnel proposed for use under this contract. 3. Resumes of Personnel proposed for use under this contract, and 4. Business Management/Cost Proposal. The evaluation criteria are listed in descending order of importance. Technical quality and past performance, when combined, are considered more important than cost or price. Price will be a factor in the award decision, although the award may not necessarily be made to that offeror submitting the lowest price. The Sample of Work will first be evaluated for demonstration of the ability to perform the work required. Failure to demonstrate the ability to perform skills and abilities required to perform this work will eliminate the proposal from the competition. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: In order to be considered for evaluation the following materials shall be submitted: Proposals shall be submitted in an original (with the original signature of the authorized company official) and three copies for receipt not later than 4 p.m. local prevailing time on February 26, 2004 to National Park Service, Office of Acquisition Management, P.O. Box 50 Taylor Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Include the following: 1. Sample of Work - Provide a finished aluminum project produced by the personnel proposed for use under this contract that demonstrates the following skills and abilities in a size not to exceed 12 inch by 12 inch by 12 inch square. (Larger samples are not desired.) The sample of work will demonstrate the ability to design, layout, cut, mitre, shape, grind, file, weld, drill, thread, countersink, counter-bore, debur, finish, package and crate. 2. Three Past Performance References in accordance with Attachment A - Past Performance Questionnaire located at http://www.nps.gov/hfc/acquisition/rfp-n1191040004.htm , and 3. Resumes of Personnel and Business Management/Cost proposal in accordance with Attachment A - Resumes of Personnel / Business Management / Cost Proposal located at http://www.nps.gov/hfc/acquisition/rfp-n1191040004.htm. Offeror shall also submit a completed copy of FAR Clause 51.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items and an originally signed copy of Standard Form 1449. (See Attachment A - Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items.) The offeror agrees that proposal is valid for a period of ninety days after closing date. Point of Contact for this requirement is Timothy Smearman, Contract Specialist, +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov or Georgia Mason at +1 (555) 000-0000, email contact@example.gov.