ANDSF Bulk Fuel

------------------------------------------------- THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST ONLY. ------------------------------------------------- This request is solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), a pre-solicitation synopsis or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Rather this sources sought request is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities and experience to meet the requirements to acquire and deliver Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL) products to Afghan Ministry of Interior (MoI), Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD); and the Afghanistan Air Force (AAF); throughout the country of Afghanistan. Furthermore, this request also seeks industry review and comment on the provided DRAFT Scope of Work (SOW). This request does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI) is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this request; all costs associated with responding to this request will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this request does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. ------------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------- Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A), in coordination with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and partners, international organizations, donors and non- governmental organizations, supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) in its efforts to develop and sustain the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), MoI, MoD; and the AAF. As an element of logistics support, the U.S. Government has identified an enduring requirement to ensure that adequate supplies of POL products are available to MoI, MoD, and AAF training sites, operating sites, operational forces, and national-level management and leadership activities. ------------------------------------------------- CURRENT FUEL PROCESS ------------------------------------------------- BULK FUEL 1. MOD/MOI requests a quantity of fuel (MoGas, Diesel, or Petroleum) from the U.S. Government based on their monthly allocation per Corps and/or Zone. 2. The U.S. Government then competes the requirement and places a delivery order for the fuel from the winning contractor on the existing multiple award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. 3. The Contractor delivers fuel to requested locations within MOD/MOI. a. MoD has approx. 87 delivery locations. b. MoI has approx. 360 delivery locations. 4. A delivery ticket is required per delivery, per site on a daily basis or when a delivery is made. The delivery ticket must be signed and stamped by the receiving authority from the MoD/MoI at the delivery location and must be submitted to the U.S. Government daily as well as with the contractors invoice package. The delivery ticket is checked against the delivery order prior to authorizing payment. AVIATION FUEL 1. There are approx. 22 delivery locations. 2. Aviation fuel is an into plane requirement, meaning that rather than the Afghan Air Force units distributing fuel, the U.S. Government pays for fuel to be delivered and dispensed into the wing of the aircraft by the contractor. 3. Allocations follow a similar process as bulk fuels for approval for monthly limits. ------------------------------------------------- CHALLENGES ------------------------------------------------- 1. The U.S. Government must effectively control the oversight of bulk fuel deliveries. The U.S. Government needs sufficient assurance that the quantity and quality of fuel delivered occurs in a timely manner to each location and is commensurate with the quantity and quality of fuel ordered in order to safeguard Afghanistan Security Forces Funds contributions. 2. Fuel is designated a no fail mission by the U.S. Government. Non-delivery for poor performance or corruption is not an option. 3. The U.S. Government has no physical visibility of delivered fuel. 4. The U.S. Government does not currently have visibility of what, if any, fuel storage is available at each delivery location. Meaning, the U.S. Government does not have any insight as to what the on-site quality or capacity of the fuel storage is available for the specified locations. 5. The U.S. Government does not receive consumption reports from MoI, MoD, and the AAF. ------------------------------------------------- INFORMATION SOUGHT ------------------------------------------------- ACC-RI is seeking industry review and comment on the attached draft SOW prior to issuance of any formal solicitation. ACC-RI considers the SOW to be a major element for successful execution of a possible future requirement. ACC-RI may incorporate into the final version of the SOW any information or comment resulting from this request. While, the Government is not constraining interested parties on which aspects of the DRAFT SOW they may provide comments on, the Government is requesting that interested parties pay particular attention to the following items: 1. Are there any areas where interested parties believe a potential risk exists or will present itself by fulfilling the terms of the SOW? If so, how do you propose the U.S. Government mitigate those risks? 2. Based on industry experience and the challenges stated above with regards to fuel deliveries and accountability, what could the U.S. Government do to that would give reasonable assurance in tracking that the fuel purchased under contract is delivered and used to support MoI/MoD requirements? How can the U.S. Government ensure accuracy of the fuel delivery and consumption? 3. How can the U.S. Government reduce its' vulnerability to fraud, waste, and abuse via additional practices, procedures, mechanical ,or technical devices, in the delivery of bulk fuel to MoI/MoD at the point of transfer from the contractor to delivery site? 4. How can the U.S. Government ensure accuracy (quantity and quality) of fuel deliveries? -------------- a. Meters. -------------- i. Could electronic metering be used? Pros/Cons? ii. What reporting mechanisms are available to provide timely, if not simultaneous, delivery quantity validation? iii. Who would be responsible for the calibration? How frequently would meters need to be calibrated? What measures could be emplaced to prevent tampering or bypassing of meters? iv. How is temperature and American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity differences accounted for? v. Is the return on investment worthwhile given the circumstances of the requirement? -------------- b. API. -------------- i. Could inline API measurement be used? ii. How would inline API measurement work? 5. How could gauging of delivery tanks be used to verify quantity and what mechanisms could be used to prevent tampering with gauging methods? 6. How could tanks seals be used to prevent corruption? i. Where could seals be placed on delivery vehicles? On tank openings? On valves and other outlets? ii. Who would be responsible for validating seal integrity? How would this be reported? ------------------------------------------------- RESPONSES ------------------------------------------------- All interested companies that possess the capabilities addressed herein are encouraged to respond to the sources sought request by providing the information specified within Twenty-One (21) days of this announcement. Interested companies should furnish the following information: a. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. b. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)- certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteranowned small business). c. Contractor's current facility security clearance. ** Proprietary information, if any, shall 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. ** Respondents are requested to submit one (1) electronic copy of the response to Jason Punkiewicz at contact@example.gov and Amanda Struve at contact@example.gov