RFI for a 3 in 1 Tool (Receipt, Invoice, Disbursement)

Contracting Office Address: Defense Information Systems Agency, Procurement and Logistics, DITCO-Scott, 2300 East Drive, Bldg 3600, Scott AFB, IL, 62225-5406 Description: This Request for Information (RFI) is for a combined hardware and software solution to enable the procurement of supplies and services in contingency and expeditionary operations, i.e., on-the-spot, over-the-counter, field purchases of supplies and services (cash-and-carry type transactions) in circumstances where the use of a Government purchase card would generally be appropriate, but is not feasible. The solution should be able to record and transfer the contract / order data in a non-proprietary XML format for use across the supply chain and to other Federal systems and databases and enable reporting in various formats to legacy applications. Interested parties should identify an innovative approach for pre-filling information; enabling vendor and purchase data to be electronically captured, sorted, summarized, aggregated, and downloaded; printing documentation and on?the?spot receipts; supporting secure digital authorization; and enabling managers at various levels to know not only how much money was spent, but also on which classes of supplies. The proposed solution is not limited to a single device. The government will consider any combination of hardware suites to distribute functionality as appropriate across the functions of purchase, receipt, payment, reconciliation and reporting. The solution must also function in an environment where network connectivity is non-existent or limited; where bandwidth will be very limited; where latency (delay to download) will be an issue, and where harsh elements will affect the material solution and atmospheric conditions will impact wireless solutions. Ideally, any handheld tool would be inexpensive, lightweight and, if it should fail or be broken, disposable. Photo capture and transmittal of receipts/invoices may be part of the solution. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY--FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. This is a request for information as defined in FAR 15.201(e) being issued by the XXX, on behalf of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (AT&L) Contingency Contracting Task Force (CCTF). Note that this is not a request for quotes. This RFI seeks industry comments to assist the Government in (1) determining the availability of potential products (in terms of the functional and/or performance characteristics) for recording and transferring data used by Federal agencies when conducting on-the-spot, over-the-counter purchases of supplies and services (cash-and-carry type transactions) in circumstances where use of the Government purchase card would generally be appropriate, but is not feasible. The objective is to maintain the expediency and simplicity of the existing process while leveraging the benefits of information technology and communications for recording and transferring data through the purchase, receipt, payment, and reconciliation process to provide visibility into the transactions. Desired capabilities are described in the attached 3-in-1 (Receipt, Invoice, Disbursement) Tool Description. This could be a very simple, technology-enabled solution. Please note that this synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not pay for the information solicited or recognize any costs associated with the submission of responses to the RFI. The purpose of the RFI is to provide an opportunity for industry to enhance the success of any future procurement for these products. Any information obtained as a result of this RFI is intended to be used by the Government on a non-attribution basis for program planning and acquisition strategy development. By submitting information in response to this RFI, submitters consent to the release and dissemination of submitted information to any Government or non-Government entity to which the CCTF releases and disseminates the information for review. As such, to the extent that any information submitted in response to this RFI is marked as, or construed to be proprietary or business-sensitive, submitters are hereby notified (a) about the potentiality that such information may be disclosed to third parties and (b) that submission of information in response to this RFI constitutes consent to such handling and disclosure of submitted information. This RFI is being used to obtain information for planning purposes only and the Government does not presently intend to award a contract at this time. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR INFORMATION RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE RFI. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to the RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned nor will the Government confirm receipt of the RFI response. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 541519, and the size standard is $23 million average annual receipts over the past three years. Small businesses are strongly encouraged to provide responses to this RFI, in order to assist DISA in determining the potential levels of interest, competition and technical capability to provide the required services within the Small Business community. In addition, this information will also be used to assist DISA in establishing a basis for developing any subsequent potential subcontract plan small business goal percentages. Technical questions should be directed to Craig Curtis at (703) 602-8032 or by e-mail at craig.curtis@osd.mil. Responses should provide telephone and e-mail contact information. This announcement is open and effective until 08 Aug 08. Those responding to the RFI should submit their electronic (only) responses to Craig Curtis at craig.curtis@osd.mil no later than 08/08/08. The contractor should indicate with clear markings any proprietary or sensitive material provided with the RFI. If applicable, please indicate marking compliant with industrial security provisions. Responses should include the (1) business name and address; (2) name of company representative and their business title; (3) contract vehicles available that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service, to include General Service Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle.