144 INCH BUTTERFLY VALVE

The Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold AFB, TN, anticipates the release of a solicitation for a supply project consisting of the design, fabrication, testing and delivery of one 144-inch diameter butterfly control valve with electric actuator and related components in accordance with specification number 13787-14-001. Valve assembly shall include electric motor and gearbox actuator assembly, internal position feedback transducer, and limit switches. Delivery shall be to Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. The period of performance is up to 365 days for completion following contract award. The requirement will be solicited as full and open. The Government intends to award one firm-fixed price contract. A complete Request for Proposal (RFP) with detailed specifications for each item will be available on or about 17 April 2014. Proposal due date will be on or about 20 May 2014 at 2:00 P.M. Central Standard Time. *Note - Above time and dates are only estimated and are subject to change. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available electronically on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. No hardcopies, faxes, or emails will be available. Please register as a source to be notified of RFP Amendments, Clarifications, etc. However, it is the responsibility of the contractors (even those registered as a source) to check the FBO website frequently to ensure they have all available information. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management System (SAM), in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning the System for Award Management System registration requirements may be viewed via the Internet at the website address of https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM or by calling the Help Desk at 1-866-606-8220. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. AFFARS 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (Nov 2012) (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 Center/MAJCOM/DRU or AFISRA ombudsmen, Colonel Evan C. Dertien, Air Force Test Center Vice Commander, AFFTC/CV, Building 1 Room 206, Edwards AFB, CA 93524, phone number (661) 277-2810, facsimile number (661) 277-7593, Email evan.dertien@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU or AFISRA level, may be brought by the interested 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 (571) 256-2397, 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.