Annual Membership in Faculty Resource Network

The 10th Contracting Squadron, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado, has received a request for Sole Source purchase of Annual Membership in the Faculty Resource Network at New York University. This contract will be written for a base period of one year with four option years. This notice document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-49, January 24, 2011. The North American Industry Classification System Code [NAICS] is 813920 and the size standard is $14.0 million. USAFA requires week-long, discipline specific seminars during June and July for college instructors. Members of the USAFA faculty are required to teach at least every other day during the academic year, creating extremely limited availability to attend seminars except in June and July. In addition, professors participate in research, curriculum development and summer classes. These additional demands make it impossible to allow for maximum faculty participation in other than one-week seminars. USAFA currently conducts a week-long Faculty Orientation that is mandatory for all members of the faculty. This orientation provides basic instruction in the art of teaching and how to promote learning, but is not discipline specific. USAFA also conducts periodic workshops throughout the academic year and a Course Design Retreat during the summer, none of which is discipline specific. Because instructors are already exposed to a number of general educational seminars, USAFA requires discipline specific seminars to augment their knowledge base within their particular academic areas. Such seminars will avoid duplicative training, provide the faculty with fresh perspectives and improve their ability to provide a top-notch undergraduate learning environment for cadets. The Faculty Resource Network at New York University is the only organization that could be identified that provides week-long, discipline specific, collegial seminars during June and July. These seminars include, but are not limited to, topical areas within the physical and social sciences, liberal and performing arts, and health and business. Place of performance will be at New York University, New York, New York. This synopsis is for notification purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time. Any offerors believing they can provide the required faculty development seminars that meet all of the features and functions of the requirement described above may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can provide all services with properly qualified personnel as identified in the agreement. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if timely received, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement can be conducted. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received NLT 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on February 3, 2011. Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-1(f) and will not be evaluated. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Contractors must have a current registration with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov and with Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov . Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC James Lovely, Contract Specialist, (719) 333-8161 or sent via e-mail to James.Lovely@usafa.af.mil. Alternate POC is Nicole Baert, Contracting Officer, (719) 333-8924, Nicole.Baert@usafa.af.mil. 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (APR 10) (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 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, concerned parties may contact the USAF Academy Ombudsmen, Kim Diercks 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103 USAFA, CO 80840 Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-9018 email: kim.diercks@usafa.af.mil Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067. (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)