Secure Sensitive Freight

This announcement is to provide notice that the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Division, on behalf of the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldier Center - Soldier Protection Directorate is seeking information for a commercially available armored transport service company capable of providing secure shipment of materials from DEVCOM-SC Natick, MA to customer intermediary, Dalton, MA; freight services must be bonded and certified to carry United States Category III Securities. There will be approximately 9-12 truckloads per year. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. A solicitation is not available at this time. Request for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United Stated Government to contract for any supply or service. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United Stated Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Beta SAM (beta.sam.gov) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The purpose of this RFI is to determine the capabilities of the existing marketplace. The Government intends to use white papers provided solely for internal government purposes to further develop or refine the statement of requirement, not as a basis for making an award determination. The salient performance characteristics of the secure shipment of materials are as follows: Any carrier and designated employees of the carrier selected to perform these contractual duties must be carefully screened for experience, dependability, maturity, and reliability. Designated employees must be cleared for access to the U.S. securities prior to performing their duties relative to the transport of U.S. securities. U.S. securities are U.S. Government property and a security item, which must be afforded a high level of protection while in transit. U.S. securities will be transported via an armored carrier. The unauthorized possession and reproduction of any U.S. Securities material and/or instrument of reproduction is strictly prohibited by Title 18, U.S. Code. The carrier and employees of the carrier selected to perform these contractual duties, shall comply with the terms of the contract and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and operating procedures. GENERAL: Immediately upon completion of loading at the point of origin, the cargo compartment of the vehicle will be secured with an approved, serial-numbered seal(s) and/or locking device(s). This seal and/or locking device will only be removed by an authorize Government representative at the point of destination. This seal and/or locking device and key control procedure must be approved by the DHS Security Service Office and will incorporate feature(s) to secure the cargo compartment doors. The serial number of the seal affixed to each door will be recorded and provided to the authorize Government representative. All recorded numbers will accompany the shipment and be provided upon arrival at the final destination. The method for ensuring the integrity of the record of the recorded seal numbers will be developed by the carrier and will be subject to prior approval by the Government Office of Security. To ensure the integrity of the shipment while in transit, an approved serial number will be affixed to each cargo compartment door. In the event that it is necessary to open the cargo compartment, the carrier will immediately notify the nearest DHS Security Service Office. The cargo compartment will NOT be opened until a designated officer or representative is on the scene to verify and maintain the integrity of the load. Upon opening the sealed compartment, carrier personnel will assist in maintaining the integrity of the load. The cargo compartment will be recorded and reported by the Government representative to the point of destination. Armed personnel must be trained, proficient and licensed in the use of weapons supplied by their employer. Armed carrier/escort personnel, while performing these contractual duties, will be armed with at least 12-guage shotgun or at a minimum a .38/9mm caliber sidearm, furnished by the carrier. It is the responsibility of the carrier/escort to periodically train armed employees performing these duties in the use of issued weapons, with emphasis on safety. Training and proficiency scores will be documented and maintained. The carrier/escort will publish guidelines for the use of weapons during the performance of these contractual duties and ensure that each armed employee performing these duties is familiar with the guidelines. The carrier/escort shall obtain necessary authority or permits for each armed employee as required. It is the responsibility of the carrier/escort to obtain all equipment, licenses and permits in support of these requirements. All transportation programs and revisions will be effective only after written approval has been obtained from the approving authority. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS: Each armored or surveillance vehicle will be sound, first-class equipment that meets or exceeds state and federal vehicle requirements. Each armored or surveillance vehicle will be equipped with a radio-telephone or similar system adequate to summons assistance in an emergency situation and provide location reports as deemed appropriate. All trailers or cargo compartments must be clean, sound, first-class equipment of sufficient size to accommodate and protect the shipment. The cargo compartment must be weatherproof to prevent damage to the contents; moisture control is most critical. Trailers and cargo compartments cannot have side doors. Trailers must be equipped with a usable spare tire. Each armored or surveillance vehicle should be equipped with an appropriate gas mask to provide eye and respiratory protection caused by police riot control and/or military warfare agents. It will be the responsibility of the carrier/escort to supply the appropriate equipment and train their personnel in the use of this equipment and maintain these masks in serviceable condition. Each armored or surveillance vehicle will be equipped with serviceable portable fire extinguishers, preferably ABC Type, with at least 5 pounds or greater. Taking care not to endanger themselves, the transporting crew or escort will make every reasonable effort to extinguish or control a fire while awaiting arrival of the fire department. ROUTES: The routes, over-the-road and to/from railheads/airports, to be followed in the performance of this contract are subject to approval by the Government's Security Office and DHS Security Service Office PRIOR to use. Deviation from the approved route is not permitted, except in an emergency situation where the driver believes that the safety of the vehicle, its occupants, or the cargo are in jeopardy. In such cases, appropriate notification shall be made at the earliest possible time, preferably before the deviation is made. TRANSIT TIMES: An appropriate transit time will be established when the means of transportation is determined. CONFIDENTIALITY: The carrier must ensure the confidentiality of all information regarding U.S. securities shipments routes and schedules. Equipment used in support of this contract shall not be marked to identify the contents or association with United States Government. All markings will be limited to the minimum required by applicable federal or state regulation or law. NOTIFICATION: Notification is to be made to the Point of Destination at various intervals while the shipment is in transit, e.g., departure times, delays enroute, deviations from schedules/routes, equipment damage, equipment lost or pulled for services, and arrival times. Guidelines for notifications will be made upon contract award. RESTRICTIONS: Vehicle size restriction apply on to deliveries made to the customer intermediary facility. These size restrictions are: Vehicle height cannot exceed 12-6; and Semitrailer length cannot be shorter than 48 or longer than 53. OVER-THE-ROAD SHIPMENTS: The over-the-road transportation of U.S. securities, other than to/from a rail head or air terminal, will be performed by an armored vehicle. The cab of the vehicle must be armored to Level II protection as specified by Underwriters Laboratory stands for safety UL-752, ULI Ballistic Rating for High Power Small Arms. Each armored vehicle will be equipped with appropriate licenses, permits, weapons, gas masks, fire extinguishers, and radio/telephone equipment. The vehicle will be dedicated for the transport of only Government property and provide direct, door-to-door service with a minimum of downtime while in transit. While transporting Government securities the vehicle will be manned by two armed guards/drivers. During necessary fuel/rest stops, one alert guard/driver will remain in the cab of the vehicle at all times. It is preferred that carrier personnel that receive the shipment will, with exception of an emergency situation, be the same personnel that delivery the shipment. Alternative proposals may be submitted for review and approval. Follow the guidelines as outlined for the shipment of government securities and access to government facilities as described in the document entitled - Modified Transportation Requirements (see Attachment). While this notice is not a request for competitive proposals, parties purporting to have the requisite credentials and capabilities to provide the required services must furnish, in writing, factual information, which clearly supports and demonstrates their ability to sufficiently provide these services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561613. Inquiries and responses may be sent to Maryanne Peck, Contract Specialist, via email at maryanne.e.peck.civ@mail.mil no later than 23 February 2021 @ 12:00PM EST. Any questions regarding this notice must be in writing only; no telephonic replies will be accepted. The Contracting Officer for this action is Kendall Marchioli.