BARBER OPERATIONS

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration has a requirement for Barber Operations at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY. These services are currently being accomplished by a small business enterprise through a service contract with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and MARAD pays monthly invoices submitted by the provider. This sources sought synopsis is for the purpose of conducting market research in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 to determine availability, interest and capability of potential sources for this requirement if the Government were to change the arrangement so that the service provider is solely responsible for collecting all fees directly from patrons. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this Request for Information (RFI). Contact with Government personnel other than those specified in this RFI by potential offerors or their employees' regarding this project is prohibited. Interested respondents will need to pass a NACI (background check) and must be registered and active in the System of Award Management (SAM). If a solicitation is later released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate a respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Description of Services: The USMMA requires barber and beauty shop services on-site for the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy's 1000 midshipmen and 240 faculty and staff. Haircuts and styling will conform to the U. S. Navy's grooming standards as set forth in United States Navy Uniform Regulations NAVPERS 15665. Hours of operation shall be from 0730-1700 (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday. Hours may be offset at the discretion of the government to have coverage from 0700 - 1800 (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Exceptions to this are listed in the attached Statement of Work (SOW). There will be no fewer than two barbers or beauty shop operators available during all designated hours. The contractor shall use the physical spaces that the Academy provides which are already designed and built ready for operation as a barber shop and beauty shop. This will include the furniture, d'cor, four barber chairs, tables, benches, mirrors, et cetera. The contractor shall provide the tools and supplies for the operation of the barber shop and the beauty shop, such as electric clippers, scissors, tonics, razors, blades, aprons, towels, neck strips, clips, lather, lather machines, brooms, dust pans, detergent, sterilizer, blowers, combs, brushes, consumable supplies, hair dryers, et cetera required to satisfactorily cut hair. The contractor shall provide the retail activities described herein for the barber and beauty shop operations. The contractor is expected to operate those services in a business-like manner, using established practices for such retail operations co-located on federal property. Any contractor revenue and expenses associated with this service shall be considered independent of this contract. However, the Academy shall be provided with a quarterly accounting of the revenue and expenses associated with this particular service. Midshipmen are entitled to an unlimited number of haircuts. In a typical academic year, July to the following June, this was 5,500 haircuts, about 460 per month, although actual numbers may be different. The contractor shall be solely responsible for collect payment for services from patrons. The contractor is encouraged to offer the students options for various service arrangements such as a fee per haircut or grooming service, a discounted rate for multiple haircuts, and a single charge for unlimited haircuts per academic term. The Academy currently has a set-price range in place and would like to continue the general price range that we are currently paying. In the event that is not feasible, we would like to know the general price range or increase in fee structure we should anticipate paying. The acquisition strategy has not been determined at this time. The applicable NAICS code is 812111 Barber Shops, industrial with a small business size standard of $8.5 in annual revenue. If you are capable of fulfilling this requirement, please indicate your interest by sending a capability statement via e-mail (only) by 1500 EST February 20, 2015 to Bruce.Markman@dot.gov. It is requested you include any recommendations for price structure or method of accomplishing this requirement, based on the attached draft Statement of Work (SOW). Include the following information in your Capability Statement email (elements should not exceed 12 pages): Prospective Offeror's Identification: a. Company name and government entity (SAM - CAGE) code b. Address c. Phone Number d. Fax Number e. Email address f. Point of Contact information g. A website address that provides additional information about the prospective business h. Identify your company type: i.e. a large or small, small disadvantaged, 8a, veteran owned small business, service disabled veteran owned small business, woman-owned small business, Native American and/or HUB zone business that is supported by a current registration status of active in the System for Award Management (SAM) http://www.sam.gov/. Include your company's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Provide your company's DUNS number. i. Sources shall include in their information; demonstrable experience within the past three years of same or similar work in a commercial or military/government setting. Note: The interested vendors list of this notice will not be used for decision making purposes for any small business set asides. For your business to be considered as a potential vendor for set aside purposes you must submit a Capabilities Statement as requested by this notice. Failure to do so may result in your business category not being considered as part of a decision by the government to set aside.