Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) Laser Range Services

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT to acquire services for the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) to provide Laser Facility and Range Time. The Government anticipates an acquisition strategy of Sole Source to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees for this requirement and resulting solicitation. In accordance with FAR Part 10, Market Research, AMIC DET 2 OL/PKA is seeking information for potential sources for a laser facility to provide required services. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. 1.0 SOURCES SOUGHT INFORMATION: AFTAC has a need for local (within 50 miles of Patrick Air Force Base, Florida) laser range and facility time to support a Research and Development (R&D) program. Contract duration: 5 years 1.1. DISCLAIMER: THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) OR AN INVITATION FOR BID (IFB). IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE IN DETERMINING ITS ACQUISITION APPROACH. THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTICE DOES NOT RESTRICT THE GOVERNMENT ACQUISITION APPROACH. 1.2. REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION: The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) is currently conducting research, development, test, and evaluation on emerging Directed Energy Weapon technologies. To support research and development (R&D) testing, AFTAC requires access to test facilities and a test range. Since some of the R&D information is classified, the laser range and facilities must be capable of supporting classified activities. The salient characteristics for the laser range and facilities requirements are: Local (50 miles) laser outdoor range of no less than a mile over ground and testing facility capable of propagation into the atmosphere for above the horizon testing, Range and test facility must support secret level R&D testing, and; Range and test facility must comply with OSHA laser safety and laser clearinghouse requirements. (Note: OSHA standards can be located at: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/laserhazards/standards.html and clearinghouse requirements are identified in DoD Instruction 3100.11, Management of Laser Illumination of Objects in Space.) Performance Location: Contractor's facility 1.3. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE (NAICS): The anticipated NAICS Code is 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) 1.4. OMBUDSMAN - AFFARS 5352.201-9101 (JUL 2023): (a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern. (b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, Deputy Director of Contracting AFICC/KC(OL-ACC), 114 Thompson Street Bldg. 586, Room 129, Langley AFB, VA, 23665. Telephone 757-764-5372 (DSN 574-5372). Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431. (d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. (e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. (End of Clause) 1.5 SUBMISSION DETAILS: Vendors interested in responding to this announcement should submit unclassified technical capabilities statement via email NLT, 9am, Eastern Standard Time (EST), on 2 May 2023, to Contracting Officer Mr. Daniel Perry at daniel.perry.23@us.af.mil. NO PHONE CALLS OR FAXES WILL BE ACCEPTED. CLASSIFIED information will NOT be accepted. The Government will not award a contract solely on the basis of this Sources Sought, nor will it reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Responses shall be limited to five (5) pages. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. It is the submitter's sole responsibility to verify the e-file was received and can be viewed. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing sources sought responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified. 1.6 RESPONSES SHALL INCLUDE: a) Business name and address; b) Name of company representative and their business title; c) CAGE Code; d) DUNS Number; e) Capabilities statement package (no more than five pages) demonstrating ability to perform in accordance with paragraphs 1.2 and 1.3 above 1.7 QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting POC stated in Para 1.5 above. Verbal, phone or fax questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on the Sam.Gov website. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. 1.8 SUMMARY: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT to identify potential contractors that can provide non-personal services for the AFTAC to provide laser range facilities contributing to AFTAC mission success. The information provided in this announcement is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. AFTAC has not made a commitment to procure any of the services discussed and release of this Sources Sought should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.