DHS-Wide Strategic Sourcing Contract

This is a request for information (RFI) ONLY: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP). This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Responders are advised that the US. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP. If a solicitation is released, it will be via the Federal Business Opportunities (http://www fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this websites for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned. 1.0 DESCRIPTION The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to establish a Department-Wide Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle for the purchase of Uniforms. The US Customs and Border Protection Agency has been designated as the Executive Agent on behalf of DHS and all of its Component Agencies for this acquisition. Approximately 120,000 employees are authorized to participate in the DHS National Uniform Program. Uniformed employees are located throughout the United States and foreign locations. Department of Homeland Security components will be utilizing this proposed contract for their uniforms. DHS does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor pay for the preparation of any information submitted in response to this RFI. As a result of this (RFI), DHS may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). Should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against DHS shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI notice or use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. DHS is seeking capability statements from all eligible business concerns under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541614"Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services". 2.0 PURPOSE OF THIS RFI The purpose of this RFI is to identify technically qualified businesses which could be eligible to support the proposed requirement. Through this procurement effort DHS plans to establish DHS-wide procurement vehicles while supporting DHS Small Business Goals, including 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB),Woman-owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB)] that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. Through this RFI, DHS is seeking responses to determine the capability of the market to provide innovative technologies that may meet program goals. In furtherance of this purpose a draft Statement of Objectives (identified as Draft SOO - RFI Only) and a sample of draft specifications are attached herein. These draft documents (and other specifications) will be updated based on the responses received to this RFI. Any comments or suggested changes regarding the draft SOO should be forwarded with the response to the RFI. 3.0 OBJECTIVE DHS is seeking a Contractor that has a strong supply chain management capability. This contractor shall also possess a program manager with expertise who can maximize customer satisfaction. The Contractor shall be responsible for the following: Providing all uniform items including, but not limited to, ceremonial, dress, rough duty, law enforcement uniforms, outer wear, footwear, and accessories. Acquiring all items required under the DHS National Uniform Program. Providing inventory control; management, warehousing and tracking to ensure secured storage and timely deliveries of all uniform items in accordance with current commercial standards. The management contractor shall have (a) an established distribution process and (b) a quality control inspection program processes in place to include manufacturing, procuring, warehousing and distribution. Providing shipping, handling, and delivery of all goods directly to all employee locations. Establishing and coordinating the entire ordering process beginning with the placement of each order through the distribution cycle. Providing a secure automated web based ordering process/e-commerce solution; specifically an automated on-line ordering process available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Separately, the management contractor shall maintain a customer service/help desk at least 8 core hours 5 days a week. Providing an ordering process to effectively manage the introduction or termination of certain product lines as well as changes to current and existing uniform products. Occasionally, the National Uniform Program may have requirements for new and/or revised uniform products which shall require expeditious turn-around. The Management Contractor must be able to immediately respond to requests to accomplish any changes and must be able to specify a response time relevant to accomplishing any Government requested change to a uniform product line. In order to understand the market capabilities that exist, please provide responses to the following questions: ? What is normal mechanism to change, add, or delete uniforms? Lead time, etc. ? Describe how you provide surge capacity? (For emergency uniform issues) How will this be handled. ? Describe how you would provide quartermaster services? (Some but not all facilities/agencies will require this.) ? Surge capacity? Discuss limits and methods for managing this. ? Describe how you be able to post fitting guides on web for those items not fitted by contractor? ? How will you manage shipment tracking? ? Are you able to manage inventory if provided as GFE (how)? ? Can you manage credit cards from individual and maintain privacy of those individuals? ? A number of our academies have special requirements (Reference the SOO) please provide a brief overview of how your organization will process academy issue items (past experience?). ? Explain your organization's process for handling individual/replacement orders. ? Explain your organization's process for handling onsite operations. ? Explain your organization's process for handling returns ? What is the process for making changes to a website? ? What is the process for handling security breach of Web Based Ordering System (WBOS)? ? Would you accept old unserviceable uniform items for recycle? What would your process be for collecting those from locations all across the country? ? Attach CBP 313 to RFI ? What is the Contractor's capability for providing urgent bulk orders? ? How long will it take to ramp up to provide urgent bulk orders for disaster response? ? Do you have the ability to adjust inventory to meet emergency demands, for example, Hurricane Katrina? ? To aid the Government in meeting its goals, show your organizations prior use of Ability One (formerly NISH) or Federal Prison Industries (now UNICOR) and how their use could be maximized in the any resultant contract. 4.0 POTENTIAL CONTRACT RESTRICTIONS; It is likely that access to some items of clothing may be restricted by trade agreements, or other government regulation. Please provide a response on how your organization could handle issues relative to the Buy American Act, NAFTA, and the Kissel Amendment. 5.0 CONCLUSION Interested, qualified organizations should submit tailored capability statements for this requirement,' not to exceed 30 single-sided pages (including all attachments, charts, etc.) presented in single-space and using 12-point font size minimum that clearly details their capability to perform the aspects of the notice described above. (This should not be an advertisement, but a true attempt to provide data which will maximize the Government's pursuit of competition.) This is not a Request for Proposal and no contract will be awarded as a result of this RFI notice. The Government reserves the right to post additional notices relative to the RFI and request capability statements. Capability statements must specify the business type and size under the concern's name and address on the first page of the document. Responses will be reviewed only by DHS personnel and will be held in a confidential manner. All Capability Statements in response to this Request For Information notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to Rick Travis, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov in MS Word or Adobe (PDF), by 31 May 2012, 3:30PM, EST. The Government will not respond to telephone requests for clarification.