99 -- Temporary Structure: Fabric Covered, Rigid Frame

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, and supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The USDA Forest Service, Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, PA has a requirement for a temporary, tent-like structure to protect a swimming pool terrace. This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation and subsequent contract award incorporate provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-09. The temporary structure will be shipped to the USDA Forest Service, NE Area State & Private Forests, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark, 151 Grey Towers Drive, Milford, PA 18337-0188. Quotes must be received in the Acquisitions Management office no later than close of business on July 20, 2006. The provisions at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors'Commercial, applies without addenda. Offerors shall include a complete copy of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items, with quotes. The FAR clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items, applies without addenda. The FAR clause 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The successful offer(s) shall comply with FAR 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) and FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--Central Contractor Regulations (Oct 2003) prior to contract award. FAR clauses and provisions can be accessed via Internet at http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html BACKGROUND: Grey Towers National Historic Site is located in Milford Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania. This area is in northeastern Pennsylvania, about ten miles southwest of the point where Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey join. New York City can be reached by automobile in less than two hours. Grey Towers is situated on a hill overlooking the borough of Milford Pennsylvania and the Delaware River. Grey Towers National Historic Site is the ancestral home of the Pinchot Family; most notably, Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the Forest Service and Governor of Pennsylvania for 2 terms. The site is currently registered as a National Historic Landmark and is under the ownership and operation of the Forest Service. The site consists of a main house, referred to as the mansion, several out buildings, landscape structures and features. The mansion was designed by famed architect, Richard Morris Hunt. The surrounding landscape features were added at later dates and mostly planned and implemented by Gifford's wife, Cornelia Bryce Pinchot. Cornelia's designs were highly influenced by many renowned landscape architects. During the better part of the last decade, the Forest Service has been working to implement a Mastery Facilities Site plan for the preservation, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the site. One of the last major projects to be completed is the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic swimming pool terrace. The masonry and permanent structural work of the project will be done in partnership with the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Training Center. Once rehabilitated, the historic pool terrace will be used as a main outdoor gathering space to support many programs of the Forest Service. To use this newly rehabilitated terrace to its full potential, the Forest Service seeks to purchase a temporary, tent-like, structure to protect the area. The following are the parameters to use when preparing quotations: STRUCTURE: The structure shall provide overhead and side protection from sun, rain and wind. Floor protection is not requested. Sides must open for times when only overhead protection is desired. HISTORIC LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY: The aesthetic characteristics of the selected structure will complement the historic landscape as determined by the Forest Service site experts and other historic landscape experts as needed. Permanent adaptations or modifications to this historic terrace will be limited and subject to approval by the Forest Service. Details of any needed adaptations or modifications shall be submitted with product proposal. SIZE: Maximum size: 40 width x 80 length; Minimum size: 30 width x 70 length; Minimum Eave Height: 7 from masonry terrace; Maximum height at any point: 25 from masonry terrace. DURABILITY: Wind Resistance: at least 70 miles per hour for completely assembled structure. Covering shall be water proof and tear resistant. UV breakdown and deterioration of the fabric covering shall be at least 7 years (although longer is preferred). Structure shall provide for lightning protection common for the trade. ASSEMBLY: The Forest Service holds ease of assembly as one of the most desirable features of the structure, and will use this as one of the main justifications for selecting the Best Value product. Please keep this in mind when submitting your proposed product. Manpower: Shall not exceed 8 hours with a maximum of 4 persons for assembly. Disassembly shall be limited to the same parameter. Written detailed structure assembly and disassembly instructions shall be included with product proposal submission, including any specialized tools or equipment needed. Vehicle Access: The terrace has limited access. Vehicle access is not permitted or possible on the terrace. Vehicles can approach to a 50 distance. Questions and clarifications can be addressed during the pre-submittal site visit meeting. Contact Ellen Geis at (570) 296-9629 or egeis@fs.fed.us to arrange a site visit. The ability to assemble the structure at other locations on the site is preferred. STORAGE AND CARE: Complete written details of storage and care required shall be included with each product proposal. Details shall include: storage space needed (both square footage of floor or shelf space and cubic feet for storing the entire structure), drying procedures, complete weight of covering and framing components. Additionally, any environmental requirements or restrictions shall be submitted (i.e. does storage space of heat and/or humidity requirements?) Details shall also include any specialized tools or products needed for storage or care. WARRANTY: Product warranty shall not be less than seven (7) years for covering and fourteen (14) years for all structural components. Complete warranty details shall be submitted with proposal. TRAINING: The Forest Service will require the vendor awarded the purchase to provide training for no less than five (5) and no more than eight (8) Forest Service staff in the full assembly and disassembly, transportation, care and storage of the product selected. EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCES: Product proposals shall include company experience with temporary structures. In addition, bidders shall submit at least five (5) customer references with contact information. References submitted shall be for customers who have purchased products from your company more than 1 year prior to the date of bid submittal. PRICE: Price of product submitted shall include -- covering and all structural components. Any product anchoring mechanisms needed. Any additional specialized tools or equipment needed to assemble, disassemble storage or care for the product. Training for Forest Service personnel. EVALUATION FACTORS (RANKED IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE): 1. Sensitivity to historic landscape: including aesthetic characteristics of assembled structure and permanent modifications needed to terrace. 2. Cost of assembly - measured in both Forest Service manpower and/or contracted assembly. 3. Required or recommended conditions of care and storage. 4. Price including product and special tools and equipment for assembly, disassembly, care and storage. 5. Structure size. 6. Contractor references. This acquisition is 100% set-aside for small business. The Government estimate is less than $50,000. Award will be made to a responsible contractor whose offer is most advantageous to the Government based on price and other evaluation factors contained in this solicitation. Award will be issued approximately July 27, 2006. Delivery date will be approximately 45 days after award.