Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Reliability Data Research

The United States Air Force, AFLCMC/Operational Contracting Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-5344. This is a Sole Source synopsis published for informational purposes only. This proposed action is for the procurement of research support in the area of applied statistical analysis, experimental design and reliability modeling for the Department of Defense Test and Evaluation Enterprise. Specifically, the research support requires reforming complete background and literature review associated with ways to combine homogeneous and disparate sources of reliability information, developing sufficient background and training material on Bayesian methods associated with the combining of data, investigating new methods of utilizing reliability data as obtained across the various phases of system development, and investigating and proposing improved methods for reliability assurance testing. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). This proposed procurement will be a Sole Source under North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) 541712 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). Business size standard is for NAICS 541712 is 500 Employees. The proposed source is North Carolina State University. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, quotation or exception to the intent to purchase on a sole source basis, which shall be considered by the Government if received by 8:00 am Local (Wright-Patterson AFB) Time, Tuesday, 9 December 14. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to comply with FAR 5.207(c)(15), the reason for lack of competition is as follows: The DOD is incorporating Designs of Experiments (DOE) into its test enterprise, where testing is a critical aspect of any DOD systems acquisition. However, the adoption of these methods is relatively new and many of the DOD test organizations are just beginning to appreciate the benefits. Dr. Alyson Wilson, a faculty member at North Carolina State University, is a leading authority in the area of reliability modeling and reliability growth. Her work includes consultation with the Office of Secretary of Defense Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. Thus, Dr. Wilson is the only source that will satisfy agency requirements in the case of a continuation of a multi-year line of research. The Department of Defense (DoD) has determined the System for Award Management (SAM) to be the single DoD registration for contractors who conduct business or who are interested in conducting business with the DoD. Contractors must be registered in SAM prior to award for solicitations issued after 29 May 2012. You may contact SAM by telephone at 866-606-8220 or online at https://www.sam.gov. Any information should be e-mailed to Kelli.Vaughn@us.af.mil no later than 8:00 am Local (Wright-Patterson AFB) Time, Tuesday, 9 December 14. Only inquiries/information received by this date will be considered. Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads "FA8601-15-T-0041, Reliability Data." Note that e-mail filters at Wright-Patterson AFB are designed to filter e-mails without subject lines or with suspicious subject lines or contents (i.e., .exe, or .zip files). Therefore, if this subject line is not included, the e-mail may not get through the e-mail filters. Also be advised that .zip or .exe files are not allowable attachments and may be deleted by the e-mail filters at Wright-Patterson AFB. If sending attachments with e-mail ensure only .PDF, .doc, or .xls documents are sent. The e-mail filter may delete any other form of attachments.