Cadet Swords

Responsible Sources Sought for the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point Swords requirement. This announcement serves as a Sources Sought Synopsis issued for the purpose of market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 for the upcoming acquisition for the USAFA and the USMA at West Point for swords, scabbards and covers. This sources sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation nor is this notice a request for quotations. DO NOT submit a quote or proposal in response to this synopsis. For the purpose of this acquisition, the North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) 332211 and the size standard are 500 employees. The proposed contract is anticipated to be a Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a base period of one (1) year and four (4) option years. The sources sought is issued to determine availability of responsive, small businesses capable of meeting the requirement. Interested vendors must reference their 8(a), HUB Zone, Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran status. All businesses capable of providing this requirement are invited to respond. Any information provided by industry to the government as a result of its sources sought notice is voluntary. The government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this sources sought notice. Contractors must be actively registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov as well as be actively registered with the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov by time of award. The purpose of this notice is to identify companies, in particular small businesses of socio-economic categories capable and qualified to provide the swords. The specifications: USAFA CU 945-05 dated 20 Oct 2010 (Attachment 1) USMA CSB-0146 dated Oct 2010 (Attachment 2) Comments and/or suggestions on the attached specifications are encouraged and can be included in your capabilities package. Estimated quantities for the Air Force Academy are: Line item 0001 (Category A) Sword with Scabbard and Cover, USAF Cadet type I, class 3, Medium, Blade Length 762 mm (30"), overall length 887 mm (35"), 900 each Line item 0002 Replacement (Category B) Sword with Scabbard and Cover, USAF Cadet Type I, Class I, Extra short, Blade Length 660 mm (26"), Overall Length 785mm (31"), 30 each Line item 0003 Replacement (Category B) Sword with Scabbard and cover, USAF Cadet Type I, Class 2, Short, Blade Length 711 mm (28") Overall length 836mm (33"), 30 each Line item 0004 Replacement (Category B) Sword with Scabbard and Cover, USAF Cadet Type I, Class 3, Medium, Blade Length 762 mm (30"), Overall Length 887 mm (35"), 30 each Line item 0005 Replacement (Category B) Sword with Scabbard and Cover, USAF Cadet type I, Class 4, Long Blade Length 813 mm (32") overall Length 938mm (37"), 30 each Line item 0006 Replacement (Category B) Sword and Scabbard and Cover, USAF Cadet Type I, Class 5, Extra Long, Blade Length 864 mm (34") Overall Length 989 MM (39"), 30 each Line item 0007 Replacement Gold Sword, Blade Length 762 mm (30"), overall length 887 mm (35"), 2 each Line item 0008 Replacement Gold Sword, Blade Length 711 mm (28") Overall length 836mm (33"), 2 each Line item 0009 Replacement Gold Sword, Blade Length 813 mm (32") overall Length 938mm (37"), 2 each Line item 0010 Replacement Gold Sword, Blade Length 864 mm (34") Overall Length 989 MM (39") 2 each West Point Academy estimated quantities are: Line item 0011 Replacement Sword with Scabbard and Cover, USMA CSB-0146, 1,800 each Exact quantities and sizes will be identified on individual delivery orders. All items and components must be made and manufactured in accordance with DFARS 252-225-7001, Buy American Act and Balance of Payments Program and DFARS 252-225-7008, preference for certain domestic commodities, which is known as the Berry Amendment. The Berry Amendment applies only to the Department of Defense (DoD) and has been included in the DoD Appropriations Act since 1941. The Act restricts DoD expenditures of funds for supplies consisting in whole or in part of certain article and items not grown or produced in the United States or its possessions. A first article will be required in accordance with FAR 52.209-4 Alt 1. Delivery will be Freight on Board (FOB) destination to the USAF Academy and/or the USMA Academy. Only responsible suppliers need respond. PLEASE NOTE: Further detailed specifications will accompany the solicitation. ** No telephone responses, please** The sources sought is for planning purposes only and does not commit the government to pay for the information requested. If you are not interested in supplying these items, no response is necessary. All contractors interested in supplying these products may indicate their interest in this proposed acquisition by sending an email to include your name, contact information, company name, business size, mailing address, cage code, DUNS number, point of contact, telephone number, e-mail address, and your level of interest in this proposed acquisition. Please provide appropriate written information and/or data supporting your capability to perform the required effort, to include past performance. Answers to the following questions: (include questions below as applicable, otherwise delete. Add any questions specific to this acquisition not included below). 1. How long have you been in business? 2. What size business is your company? How many employees do you have? 3. What is your manufacturing capacity? 4. Have you manufactured these items or something similar? 5. Where are the swords manufactured? If they are manufactured in a foreign country, what country? Do you assemble the swords in the United States? 6. What are your payment terms? 7. What is your business arrangement in the commercial industry? (For example: Do you have options on your contracts? Do you prefer one year purchase orders or multiple year contracts?) Is it feasible to price out for a base year with four options? If not, explain how many years you would be able to provide pricing at a fair and reasonable price. 8. Are you a manufacturer or do you subcontract the work? 9. Have you ever performed government contracts? 10. What is your lead-time for manufacturing? What is the lead-time for specialty metal or other components for the swords? 11. Are you in compliance with the Berry Amendment? Buy American Act? 12. What are your commercial terms and conditions? 13. What is industry standard for packaging swords? 14. Do you have a quality control process in place? If so, explain your process. 15. Is your operation "Just in time?" Do you operate differently? Explain your operation. 16. Can you provide a unit price for the swords to include the scabbard and covers? This is for market research purposes only and you will not be held to that price. 17. In the commercial market, do you provide first articles samples or production samples? What do you call this in the commercial market? 18. We are also seeking industry feedback on Economic Price Adjustments (EPA), FAR 52.216-3, Economic Price Adjustment-Semi standard Supplies as it pertains to the special metal industry. An EPA would provide for upward and downward revision of the stated contract price upon the occurrence of specified contingencies. Please discuss your proposed pricing index for specialty metals and whether the EPA should be used and why. Also, is this an industry standard in the commercial market to have an EPA clause in your contracts? 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (AUG 2005) (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, Kelly Snyder 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103 USAFA, CO 80840 Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-4747 email: kelly.snyder@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) This notice is designed to locate responsible sources that have an interest and have the ability to supply the items described herein. If your firm is capable and qualified to provide the swords, scabbards and covers please send required responses in writing to the primary point of contact indicated within this announcement. Responses are due no later than 6 July 2011, 2:00 p.m. MDT via e-mail. Questions and responses should be addressed to the primary contact, Michelle Desmarais, Contract Specialist, 719-333-2965 or michelle.desmarais@usafa.af.mil. The alternate point of contact is Diana Myles-South, Contracting Officer, 719-333-8650 or diana.myles-south@usafa.af.mil.