RECOVERY: Digital Television (DTV) Transition, Basic In-Home Installation Assistance for Southeast Region (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA)

RECOVERY: Digital Television (DTV) Transition, Basic In-Home Installation Assistance for Southeast Region (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA) PAPER COPIES OF THIS SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND TELEPHONE REQUEST OR FAX REQUESTS FOR THE SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13.5 simplified acquisition procedures. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and written solicitation will not be issued. All firms or individuals responding must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (www.ccr.gov). North American Industrial Classification Standard (NAICS) 811211 and Size Standard of $7 Million apply to this solicitation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is in the final stage of implementing the congressionally mandated nationwide transition to digital broadcast television. Approximately one-third of the Nation's 1800 full-power television stations have already completed this transition. The remaining two-thirds of full-power broadcast television stations will transition on or before June 12, 2009. In the television markets where the digital television (DTV) transition has been completed, the FCC has learned that most individuals and households can successfully make the transition by following instructions provided with their digital-to-analog converter box or by accessing mass media materials (such as information found on the FCC's and other entities Internet sites, fact sheets and other printed materials available in libraries and community centers, calls to FCC or broadcast station help lines, or informational/demonstration programs presented by FCC staff, local television stations, and community groups). This request for quotation (RFQ) seeks proposals for basic, in-home digital-to-analog converter box installation services. Such services are composed of the following elements: connecting up to two of a household's existing coupon-eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes to existing broadcast antenna(s) and analog TVs, providing a basic level of orienting/reorienting the household's antenna(s) and scanning/rescanning the converter box(es) in order to receive digital broadcast TV stations in the area, and providing basic guidance to the consumer on the operation of their converter box(es). Statistical evidence suggests that certain geographical areas of the country are less prepared than others. Thus, this solicitation also prefers proposals targeted to the geographical communities identified in the attached statement of work and is seeking proposals that focus on providing digital transition assistance to low-income individuals, minority communities, non-English speaking consumers, senior citizens, consumers living in rural areas or on tribal lands, and consumers with disabilities. Proposals are requested from all potential offerors, regardless of whether they qualify as small business concerns or Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concerns under Small Business Administration regulations, 13 C.F.R. Parts 121 and 126. However, the FCC will make awards using cascading HUBZone and small business set-asides, as described in Method for Award-Cascading Set Asides, before considering awards to offerors other than small businesses. METHOD FOR AWARD'CASCADING SET-ASIDES Multiple awards will be made resulting from this solicitation using the following cascading set-aside order of preference: (1) In accordance with FAR Subpart 19.13, awards will be made on a competitive basis first to responsible, certified HUBZone small business concerns. (2) Following step (1), additional awards will be made on a competitive basis in accordance with FAR Subpart 19.5 to responsible, eligible small business concerns. (3) If the contract awards under steps (1) and (2) above do not provide in-home installation services sufficient to meet the Government's needs throughout the geographic area covered by this solicitation, additional awards will be made on a full and open competition basis to responsible offerors. NOTE: Not-for-profit organizations are eligible to submit quotations and be considered for award in the full and open competition phase of our award process (once awards have been made to SBA certified HUBZone small businesses and other small business concerns). The government intends to award multiple firm-fixed price contracts. The Period of Performance for these contracts is estimated to start mid May 2009 through July 31, 2009 with special emphasis on an 8-week period identified within the statement of work (SOW). See attached file containing SOW, proposal/quote instructions and evaluation criteria.