J--On-Site Maintenance and Repairs of Bell & Howell Mail Equipment and Systems

Special notice of intention to negotiate and award a sole source (proprietary), performance-based, commercial item, firm-fixed price contract, under the authority of 41 USC 253(c)(1), subject to availability of funds, to the incumbent contractor, Bell & Howell (Bowe, Bell & Howell), 8708 Hammerstone Way, Apex, NC 27539, Attention: Shawn Sullivan, +1 (555) 000-0000, for on-site maintenance and repairs of Government-owned Bell & Howell (BH) mail inserting, processing and sorting equipment and systems, including auxiliary equipment and systems, at two (2) IRS print and mail sites located in Ogden, Utah, and Detroit, Michigan. The typical BH equipment and systems include, but are not limited to, the BH MailStar 4000 Systems with attached Moore Business Solutions (MBS) TrimWinder Vacuum Systems and Roll System Inc. (RSI) roll handling equipment, BH Criterion Sorter Systems, BH 12K Inserter Systems, and other typical auxiliary equipment and software. Upgrades to these typical equipment and systems, during the term of the contract, shall also be considered as included components for on'site maintenance and repairs. Each IRS site prints, mails and sorts approximately 75 million mail pieces nationwide annually (150 million for both Ogden and Detroit sites), typically ranging from 1-20 sheets plus 0-5 inserts for an approximate maximum of 25 sheets/inserts per envelope. Firm-fixed price (FFP) per month, for 24 hours, 6 days per week, basic maintenance and repairs, to include all supplies, parts and components, and incidentals, etc. For other work, such as emergency maintenance and repairs outside of 24/6, the response time shall be within two hours after notice, fixed-price hourly rate (T&M). The Government reserves the right to change and adjust the hours and days of coverage. Periods of performance, subject to availability of funds, for an anticipated total life of five (5) years, if all options are exercised: Base Year, FY 2004 (10/01/03 (Start Work Date) - 09/30/2004); Option One, FY 2005 (10/01/04 - 09/30/2005); Option Two, FY 2006 (10/01/05 - 09/30/2006); Option Three, FY 2007 (10/01/2006 - 09/30/2007); and Option Four, FY 2008 (10/01/2007 - 09/30/2008). The contractor shall furnish all non-personal professional management, supervision, records and record-keeping, periodic reports, insurance (work on Government installations), qualified and trained labor and personnel, telephone technical support (toll-free, 24/7), equipment and tools, components, supplies, materials and incidentals, and travel and transportation (to include current photo identifications, drivers licenses and applicable current technical certifications and/or licenses), in order for the typical BH mail equipment and systems, and typical auxiliary equipment and systems, to be operationally capable and safe, on a continuous basis, at an effectiveness level of 95% or greater, meeting or exceeding original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications and USPS requirements (Domestic Mail Manual, DMM), during the life of the contract. Contractor's personnel, prime contract (and subcontracts, if any) are required to timely obtain, have, maintain and meet current fingerprint, background and security clearances, during the life of the contract. All responsible sources shall fax only, their written responses, clearly indicating their past performance and recent experience (similar size, scope and complexity), technical capabilities, qualifications, current references, and published price lists, no later than 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, April 3, 2003, to the attention of: Holly L. Moy, Contracting Officer, at facisimile number: +1 (555) 000-0000. IRS Points of Contact: Holly L. Moy, Contracting Officer, +1 (555) 000-0000, Hal Davis, Section Chief, +1 (555) 000-0000.*****