SORTA FAST

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT to determine any potential sources for information and acquisition planning purposes only. AMIC DET 2 OL/PKA and the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) Systems Development Directorate (SD) are seeking information from potential sources for the Speed of Relevancy Technical Assistance For AFTAC Systems and Technologies (SORTA FAST). The objective of this contract is to acquire non-personal Advisory and Assistance (A&AS) support to AFTAC. Contractor-provided services will include, but not be limited to: technical, programmatic, acquisition, expert panel, analyses, engineering, logistical, and consultation support on a Task Order (TO) basis. The purpose of this sources sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, and to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541611 with a size standard of $15M. The Government will use information received in response to this notice to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government requests that all interested parties respond to this notice if capable and to identify your business status for the identified NAICS code. Provide any anticipated teaming arrangements or information regarding your plans to use a joint venture. Additionally, provide a description of similar services offered to the Government or to commercial customers within the past three years. Any response involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that could be accomplished by the prime and the work that could be accomplished by the teaming partner(s). The contracting officer has determined that the work to be performed by the contractor under this A&AS contract is of such a nature that it is likely to create an organizational conflict of interest (OCI) as contemplated and defined by Subpart 9.5 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). As such, it is the intent of the government to restrict any awardee of this A&AS contract from bidding on or participating in other AFTAC contracts. The contractor may request a waiver from this restriction by submitting an OCI mitigation plan and obtaining approval from the contracting officer prior to bid or award of another contract. The information requested by this sources sought will be used within the Air Force (AF) to facilitate decision-making and will not be disclosed outside the agency. Firms choosing to respond to this Sources Sought Synopsis are cautioned that this is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The AF will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition or alternative as a result of this Sources Sought Synopsis. Responses to this notice will not be returned or replied to. Not responding to this sources sought does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all submitted material. Information received that is clearly marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personal reviewing responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility to properly use and protect proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES SORTA FAST is a non-personal Advisory and Assistance (A&AS) support contract to AFTAC. Contractor-provided services will include, but not be limited to: technical, programmatic, acquisition, expert panel, analyses, engineering, logistical, and consultation support on a Task Order (TO) basis. Performance is intended to primarily be on-site at Patrick AFB, FL. In order to successfully perform the required tasks the contractor must be able to recruit and retain a diversified mix of professionals to meet the attached DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS). The Government is specifically requesting information regarding experience in the following areas: 1. Experience in recruiting and retaining a diverse set of labor categories as outlined in the Draft Labor Categories and Descriptions attachment. 2. Experience with the types of support services and mission areas as listed in the Draft PWS. 3. Experience with large (>$75M total) IDIQ contracts. 4. Experience working in program offices alongside Government personnel. 5. Contractor personnel will require DoD security clearances at the TOP SECRET level for key personnel and most contractors supporting this requirement. TOP SECRET Facility Clearance is required. US Citizenship is required. OMBUDSMAN - AFFARS 5352.201-9101 (APR 2014): (a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern. (b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, Lt Col Aaron D. Judge, 129 Andrews St, Langley AFB, VA 23665-2769, phone number (757) 764-5372, facsimile number (757) 764-4400, E-mail address: aaron.judge@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05). (d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. (e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. (End of Clause) SUBMISSION DETAILS Vendors interested in responding to this announcement should submit unclassified technical capabilities statement via email NLT, noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), on 9 May 2019, to Contracting Officer Ms. Michelle Riisma at michelle.riisma@us.af.mil. NO PHONE CALLS OR FAXES WILL BE ACCEPTED. The Government will not award a contract solely on the basis of this Sources Sought, nor will it reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Responses shall be limited to ten (10) pages. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. It is the submitter's sole responsibility to verify the e-file was received and can be viewed. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing sources sought responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified. RESPONSES SHALL INCLUDE: a) Business name and address; b) Name of company representative and their business title; c) Business Size and Type of Small Business (if applicable); d) Cage Code; e) DUNS Number; f) Capabilities statement package (no more than ten pages) demonstrating ability to perform in accordance with requirements above. g) The availability of personnel and their clearance levels. h) The availability of key personnel showing their ability to perform the requisite tasks. Any submitted resumes shall be counted towards the page limit. i) Recent and relevant company experience and capabilities related to the requirements outlined above. j) OCI Mitigation plan if currently an AFTAC prime contractor. k) Contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service to include General Service Administration (GSA), GSA OASIS, NIH, NASA SEWP, Federal Supply Schedules, or any other Government Agency contract vehicle. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.) l) Firms responding must state whether they are a Small Business (SB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), HUBZone Small Business (HSB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), Historically Black College or University or Minority Institution (HBCU/MI), 8(a) firm, an Indian Tribe or Alaskan Native Corporation or a large business based on the size standards above. QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting POC stated above. Verbal, phone or fax questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on the FedBizOpps website. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.