MUSLIM DISTINCTIVE RELIGIOUS GROUP LEADER

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING MARKET RESEARCH. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. The purpose of this sources sought notice is for information gathering and planning purposes only for a qualified Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader that can provide worship service(s) within the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Muslim Community. The Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader may be required to provide religious services at all JBSA locations (Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, Randolph, and Camp Bullis). This is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or award a contract. SYNOPSIS: The 502d Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), TX (which includes Randolph, Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, and Camp Bullis), is considering the procurement of a Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader non-personal service position. This notice does not obligate the government to award a contract or any other type of contractual document. The Air Force is seeking small business sources in the following categories: 8(a), Hub Zone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Women Owned Small Business, or Small Business concerns. The primary position and location is as follows: Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader Global Ministry Center, Building 7452 2235 Andrews Avenue Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX 78236 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 813110 for this Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader position. The small business size standard for this NAICS Code is $7 Million. Description of Work and Minimum Qualifications Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader Duties: Provide worship services within JBSA to include providing special services/events, seasonal observances, Religious Lectures (Religious Education), Obligatory Prayers, Lay Leaders Education/Meetings, visiting the sick, funeral prayer and celebration of a child's birth. The preponderance of services will be conducted at JBSA-Lackland; however other services could or might be required at Ft. Sam Houston, Camp Bullis, or JBSA-Randolph on an as-needed basis. All services provided shall be done so according to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah (prophetic example) without favoring a specific sect, denomination, or school of thought. Competent and able to perform all required services or events to which they are assigned within JBSA. Teachings shall be receptive in a pluralistic environment reflecting the diversity of thought and practice within the Islamic tradition. Shall make certain that nothing is said or done that are derogatory to another faith or religion. Shall be at the respective places of worship, such as the Global Ministry Center at JBSA-Lackland, or other designated area(s) within JBSA, and prepared for each service no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the designated starting time of any service, and no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the designated starting time of any special service/event. Dress and appearance standards are business casual or appropriate religious garments; anything outside of that will be approved by the Muslim and or Branch Chief Chaplain. Meet with the Muslim Chaplain and/or Branch Chief Chaplain on a quarterly basis to review and obtain the schedule of services for that quarter. Must understand that privileged communication is protected communication IAW the Military Rule of Evidence 503. Under this rule, "a person has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent another from disclosing a confidential communication by the person to a clergyman or to a clergyman's assistant, if such communication is made either as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience." Annual training will be completed by the Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader every year, which will be provided by the chapel staff. Shall not use the duty title of Chaplain while performing services, to include but not limited to printed documents and electronic communications. Can use the title of Contractor or Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader. Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader Qualifications: The contractor shall be a Muslim male in good standing with their endorsing agent; the ecclesiastical endorsement from the endorsing agent must be provided prior to awarding a contract and a completed DD Form 2088 completed by the endorsing agent. The two approved Muslim endorsing agents are: - Islamic Society of North America (http://www.isna.net//) - American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council (http://amafandvac.org//) The contractor must maintain endorsement during the performance period of this entire contract. At any time if the endorsement is revoked the contractor shall not be able to perform services until the endorsement is recompleted or the contract may be terminated. Must be able to read Arabic and recite the Quran. Submit a 10 minute recording of Qur'anic recitation. Must have at least 1/30th of the Quran memorized. Knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence as it relates to Islamic practices to include but not limited to daily, weekly and annual Prayers (i.e. Salawaat); fasting during the month of Ramadan (i.e. Sawm); Purifying Dues (i.e. Zakat); and the Pilgrimage (i.e. Hajj). Must have one year of full time experience working under an Imam or a scholar as an apprentice studying the Muslim faith. From the institution that the apprenticeship was conducted, must be able to provide a letter of recommendation or performance reports. If not in English, it must be translated into English by an accredited translation company. Contractor must have a certificate of completion or equivalent certification in the following fields from an educational institution: -Quranic Arabic -Ahadeeth -Seerat -Fiqh/Sharee'at -Aqeedat -Quranic Tafseer The Contractor must be able to read, write, speak and understand English fluently. English shall be the only language used with regard to this contract for written correspondence, discussions and other business transactions. The daily, weekly, and annual prayers will be done in Arabic. Sermons can be delivered in Arabic, but an English translation of the sermon will also be delivered. An English translation shall also be sent to the Muslim Chaplain and/or Branch Chief Chaplain via hard/digital copy at least a day prior. Ability to administer both the documentation of services performed and the timely rendering of payment for services (if used) is required. In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 a National Agency Check w/ Inquiries (NACI) shall be conducted and a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card issued. This requirement must be met only in the event that you work with any child under age 18 who is not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In accordance with Dept. of Defense Instruction (DODI) 1402.5, each individual working with children under the age of 18 in conjunction with this Contract must successfully complete a federally mandated criminal history background check (conducted by the Base Chapel) which will include a National Agency Check w/ Inquiries (NACI) and an Installation records Check (IRC). Failure to satisfactorily complete the NACI and/or the installation criminal history background check shall result in termination of the Service Agreement. Must also be currently registered in the System Award Management (SAM) website: https://www.sam.gov, and have a valid CAGE Code and DUNNS Number. A r'sum shall be included with bid submissions, past performance reports, work references, references from someone other than a relative, letters of recommendation and all supporting documentation to show that the contractor meets the above requirements. All documents if not in English shall be translated into English by a professional business, at NO cost to the Government. For computer access, the Muslim Distinctive Religious Group Leader will be required to meet Department of Defense (DOD) and Air Force (AF) training, policies and guidance for system access and conduct. NOTE: All vendors must be currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) website in order to be eligible for a contract award. That website is https://www.sam.gov.// In addition, we will require the following information from each interested vendor: 1. Firm's information: (Name, address, email address, office phone number, CAGE Code, and DUNNS Number) 2. Small Business Size Status: (e.g. 8(a), HUB Zone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, or Small Business *** All vendors can contact the Small Business Administration (SBA) website for obtaining help and assistance in registering themselves as a small business company vendor. That website is http://www.sba.gov. They can also call the Small Business Administration (SBA) Answer Desk at (800) 827-5722. *** The government provides a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code after a business vendor officially registers as a contractor on the SAM website https://www.sam,gov//. *** The business vendor can obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from the Dun and Bradstreet website at http://www.dnb.com. *** The business vendor can obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) or TAX Identification Number (TIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at http://www.irs.gov//. The Government anticipates utilizing a Price Performance Trade off (PPT) Selection Method based on price, and past performance of the prospective source. The Government intends to issue a solicitation package in the form of a Request for Quote (RFQ) which will be made available for downloading from the internet on the Federal Business Opportunities website address: www.fbo.govo at a later date. Special Note: It is anticipated that this procurement will be issued for a base period of one year and four (4) - one (1) year options. ** THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This Sources Sought notice is for informational, market research, and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a solicitation and is not to be considered as a commitment by the Government. ALL INTERESTED CONTRACTORS ARE ASKED TO SEND THEIR RESPONSES VIA EMAIL ONLY TO: david.a.schory.civ@mail.mil. NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES, OR MAILED LETTERS/PARCELS WILL BE ACCEPTED.