Immersive Visualization Environment Upgrade for High Performance Computing and Visualization Research

The purpose of this amendment is to notify all interested parties that the NAICS code appeal filed with the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) has been resolved. The solicitation is now reopened. The quotation due date is extended to August 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST. The NAICS code and the business size standard associated with this requirement remain unchanged. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The purpose of this amendment is to include the Certificate of Service for the SBA OHA Notice and Order. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The purpose of this amendment is to notify all interested parties of a pending NAICS code appeal filed with the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA). The SBA's OHA is currently reviewing the appeal. A copy of the Notice and Order is attached. Due to the pending NAICS code appeal and the potential impact on eligibility, this solicitation and the quotation due date are suspended effective immediately. Offers/Quotations are not being accepted. The solicitation will be resumed following the SBA's decision on the NAICS code appeal. At that time, an amendment to the solicitation will be issued outlining any necessary revisions to the solicitation and a revised quotation due date. Thank you for your continued interest in this requirement. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The purpose of this amendment is to respond to questions posed by prospective quoters, amend the solicitation documentation, and extend the due date for quotations through May 24, 2024 11:00 a.m. ET. Please see the Amendment 001 attachments for more details. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED; AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT (I.E. STANDARD FORM) WILL NOT BE ISSUED. THE SOLICITATION IS BEING ISSUED USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.5 SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-03. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the requirement is 334310 - Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing / Television (TV) Sets Manufacturing. The small business size standard is 750 employees. This is a 100% small business set-aside. Simplified acquisition procedures will be utilized. Note: The Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains an active non-manufacturer rule class waiver for the aforementioned NAICS code 334310 - Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing / Television (TV) Sets Manufacturing. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The High Performance Computing and Visualization Group (HPCVG), is located in the Applied and Computational Mathematics Division (ACMD) in the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Group develops novel algorithms and implementations for parallel and distributed computation, as well as innovative techniques for immersive scientific visualization in a variety of local and distributed hardware environments. They also develop and utilize techniques and tools of mathematical analysis, parallel and distributed computing, machine learning, and visualization to improve measurement science, including the extension of traditional measurement science to the virtual world. This is all in support of the NIST mission: - To promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. HPCVG owns and operates a CAVE (CAVE Automatic Visualization Environment) for its immersive visualization work at the NIST Gaithersburg, MD site. A CAVE is a real-time hardware system that enables the user to see perspective-based true 3D images. For this to function correctly, the hardware system must be designed with real-time capability that enables viewing of real-time images. This Immersive Visualization Environment (IVE), along with the software that the Group develops, is on a critical path for all research in the Group. Its role is critical in HPCVG's High Performance Computing work as it serves to speed code development and enable quick checking for errors as well as validation tests. It enables the visualization, measurement on visualizations, and analysis of results. This has led to solving critical outstanding problems in industry and contributing to the creation of standard reference materials and data. For example, it played a crucial role in the development of the standard reference materials for cement paste, mortar, and concrete. The CAVE has come to the end of its life as the display system can no longer be maintained. In order to ensure continuity of research efforts and to keep pace with the rapid advancement of technology in this area, it is important that the IVE be upgraded. NIST requires an upgrade to the IVE/CAVE on the NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus with newer display technology. Higher resolution and more complex data visualizations require a higher resolution and brighter display system with collaborative visualization capability. NIST has identified that a Direct View Light Emitting Diodes (LED) display system would offer a higher resolution and brighter display compared to its existing projection-based visualization system. Furthermore, a Direct View LED system would also be able to support dual view stereoscopic visualization where both users would have their own unique view angle of the visualization. Thus, NIST a dual-view display system, as described in the attached Specifications. APPLICABLE ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 - Specifications Attachment 1A - Display System Drawing Attachment 2 - Applicable Provisions and Clauses 1352.215-72 INQUIRES (APR 2010): Quoters must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing electronically to Billy Wong at hnw6@nist.gov. Questions must be received no later than May 10, 2024 11:00 a.m. ET.. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. (End of Provision). DUE DATE FOR QUOTATIONS All quotations must be submitted via e-mail to hnw6@nist.gov. Quotations must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time May 24, 2024. CONTRACT LINE ITEM STRUCTURE Quoters shall provide firm-fixed pricing for the following contract line-item numbers (CLINs): Note: All proposed equipment shall be new. Used or refurbished equipment will not be considered. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of - gray market components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Quoter is not acceptable. CLIN 0001 Description - Dual-View Capable Direct View LED System in accordance with Attachment 1 - Specifications. Quantity: 1 Price: $ CLIN 0002 Description - Installation Quantity: 1 Price: $ DELIVERY Delivery shall be FOB destination and shall occur within the timeframes detailed below. FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. Delivery shall occur within 4 months after receipt of order (ARO). Further, the contractor shall install the system at NIST and provide the required demonstration within 4 weeks after delivery. Therefore, delivery, installation and demonstration shall all be completed within 5 months ARO. The contractor shall NOT deliver any items until the delivery date has been agreed upon in writing. The contractor/delivery service must be approved to access the NIST campus, so the contractor must first receive COR confirmation prior to delivering items. All items shall be delivered to the following address: The National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive, Building 225, Room B141 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640 PAYMENT TERMS One lump sum payment will be authorized upon the Government's acceptance of the delivery/installation/demonstration of the required system. The Contractor shall be paid in accordance with Net 30-Day payment terms upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice. Partial shipments and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless otherwise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with quoter's response to the RFQ for consideration. ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 - INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS For the purpose of evaluation of Technical Capability: Documentation and product literature, which clearly demonstrates that the items and services being quoted conform to the requirements identified herein for CLIN 0001. The quotation shall also clearly document that the proposed delivery lead time complies with the Government's delivery requirements. In the event a quoter is not the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the proposed items, the quoter shall submit documentation that clearly demonstrates that the quoter is authorized by the OEM to re-sell the proposed items. Note that as part of the quoter's technical quotation, the quoter shall clearly document/provide the minimum computer requirements required to drive the quoted display system. As stated in the Statement of Need, NIST intends to obtain said computer system separately (not as a result of this solicitation), and to then provide said computer system to the resulting awardee within 6 weeks after award. Therefore, it is imperative that all quotations clearly document the minimum computer requirements required to drive the quoted display system. For the purpose of evaluation of Price: A firm-fixed price, F.O.B. Destination price quotation, that includes shipping costs, for each of the line items identified herein. All quoters must include a firm fixed price quote, including shipping costs. This is a 100% small business set-aside for the products as defined herein. The Government intends to award a purchase order as a result of this solicitation that will include the terms and conditions that are set forth herein. In order to facilitate the award process, ALL quotations shall include a statement regarding the terms and condition herein as follows: The quoter shall state - The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition. OR The quoter shall state - The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following: Note: Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s) The Unique Entity ID # for the quoter's active System for Award Management (SAM) registration. Quoters must have an active registration at www.sam.gov to be considered for award. Completed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions: FAR 52.204-20 - Predecessor of Quoter FAR 52.204-24 - Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment FAR 52.204-17 - Ownership or Control of Quoter FAR 52.204-26 - Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation FAR 52.209-2 - Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations - Representation FAR 52.209-11 - Representation by Corporations Regarding a Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law FAR 52.225-2 - Buy American Certificate FAR 52.225-18 - Place of Manufacture Please note that this procurement IS NOT being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If a quoter submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the quoter's FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation. ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-2 - EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEMS The Government intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quotation, conforming to the solicitation, is the lowest price technically acceptable quotation, as described below. In order to be considered technically acceptable, a quotation must: Include a quote for a dual view display system meeting all of the Government's requirements in the attached Specifications; Clearly document the minimum computer requirements required for the quoted display system; and Comply with the delivery and installation requirements and all other terms and conditions detailed in this solicitation. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness.