This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 12 and 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number HSCG38-11-Q-500028 is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-52. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 336413. The small business size standard is 500 employees. This is an unrestricted solicitation. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. It is anticipated that a Firm-Fixed Price Requirements contract shall be awarded on a sole source basis as a result of this synopsis/solicitation consisting of one (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods. The total duration of this contract shall not exceed five (5) years. The United States Coast Guard intends to solicit, negotiate and award to Howell Instruments, Inc., the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or any responsible source who can provide traceability to the OEM. Traceability means a clear, complete, documented, and auditable paper trail which traces each step from an OEM or distributor to its current location. The Government has determined that Howell Instruments inc. is the only source able to obtain the required technical and engineering data, and genuine OEM parts, required to successfully provide these items. Concerns having the expertise and required capabilities to provide these items are invited to submit offers in accordance with the requirements stipulated in this solicitation. The information submitted must include a letter from the OEM verifying the offeror is an authorized distributor, and verifying the OEM will supply only genuine OEM parts. NO SUBSITUTE OR ALTERNATE PARTS WILL BE CONSIDERED. ONLY NEW APPROVED PARTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. NO DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS OR SCHEMATICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS AGENCY. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the Agency. Closing date and time for receipt of offers is 17 August 2011, 4:30 p.m., EST. Anticipated award date is on or about 30 September 2011. E-mail quotes are preferred and may be sent to Contract Specialist Daniel House @ Daniel.K.House@uscg.mil. Phone number 252-384-7230. Please indicate HSCG38-11-Q-500028 in subject line. Quotes may also be faxed to 252-334-5242, or mailed to the following address: USCG ALC 1664 Weeksville Road SRR Hangar 75, HSCG38-11-Q-500028 Attn: Crissy Taber Elizabeth City, NC 27909 SEE ATTACHED PDF TITLED "TERMS AND CONDITIONS - HSCG38-11-Q-500028" FOR APPLICABLE CLAUSES, INSTRUCTIONS AND EVALUTION CRITERIA. SEE ATTACHED PDF TITLED "OFFEROR CHECKLIST - HSCG38-11-Q-50028" FOR A LIST OF ALL ITEMS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH QUOTATION. NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS It is the policy of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to issue solicitations and make contract awards in a fair and timely manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to investigate agency protest issues and resolve them without expensive and time-consuming litigation. OPAP is an independent reviewing authority that is empowered to grant a prevailing protester essentially the same relief as the General Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to seek resolution of their concerns within the USCG as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) forum, rather than filing a protest with the GAO or some external forum. Interested parties may seek resolution of their concerns informally or opt to file a formal agency protest with the contracting officer or Ombudsman. Informal forum with the Ombudsman. Interested parties who believe a specific USCG procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the cognizant contracting officer. If the contracting officer is unable to satisfy the concerns, the interested party is encouraged to contact the USCG Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Use of an informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a protest with the agency or other forum. In order to ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, contracting officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable). Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman. Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the contracting officer through open and frank discussions. If the protester's concerns are unresolved, an independent review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest to either the contracting officer or as an alternative to that, the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract award or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless contract award or performance is justified, in writing, for urgent and compelling reasons or is determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government. The agency's goal is to resolve protests in less than 35 calendar days from the date of filing. Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.103. If the protester fails to submit the required information, resolution of the protest may be delayed or the protest may be dismissed. This will not preclude re-filing of the protest to meet the requirement. To be timely, protests must be filed within the period specified in FAR 33.103(e). Formal protests filed under the OPAP program should be submitted to: Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard (CG-9131) Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests 1900 Half Street, SW, Room 11-0602 Washington, D. C. 20593-0001 FAX: 202.475.3904 The Ombudsman Hotline telephone number is 202.372.3695.
