V -- Market Survey- Northern GLOC

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION MARKET SURVEY TRANSPORTATION OF CARGO TO/FROM NORTHERN EUROPE TO/FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is conducting a market survey on industry capabilities and potential sources for intertheater surface transportation of military cargo to/from Northern Europe to/from various destinations in Afghanistan via Central Asia. There is no solicitation package at this time. This market research is to solicit ideas and opinions from experts in the field pertaining to the potential follow-on competition and to develop the solicitation while determining the level of interested sources. The Government is neither negotiating nor calling for offers at this time. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay for any response preparation cost. The government will not make an award on the basis of this Sources Sought Synopsis/Request for Information synopsis. Copies of information submitted by interested parties will be reproduced and submitted to a USTRANSCOM team for review and will be used to develop the requirement. USTRANSCOM is seeking information on industry capabilities and potential sources that can provide reliable and secure time definite delivery, security, in-transit visibility (ITV) and end-to-end management of containerized and break-bulk military cargo from/to Northern Europe to/from various locations in Afghanistan, with the majority of cargo deliveries to Bagram and Kandahar airfields. The military cargo may consist of CLASS I (food and water), CLASS II (general supplies), CLASS III (oils/lubricants), CLASS IV (construction materials), CLASS VI (AAFES supplies), CLASS VII (major end items), CLASS VIII (medical supplies), CLASS IX (repair parts), or CLASS X (non-military goods such as humanitarian supplies). The current operating environment presents significant risk. This includes strikes, border delays, accidents, and pilferage. Within Afghanistan this also includes attacks and armed hijackings. Shipments from/to the origin to/from the various destinations in the region could eventually amount to approximately 4,800 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU) and 4,150 forty foot equivalent units (FEU) per year. Approximately 85% are dry containers and 15% are refrigerated (reefers). Additionally, break-bulk cargo could eventually reach approximately 20,000 STONs. USTRANSCOM encourages all interested companies to submit a detailed response that specifically outlines your company?s ability to meet these requirements: 1. Accept cargo at origin in Europe on behalf of the Government and deliver to the final destination in Afghanistan. The Government requires transit times of between 30 to 45 days from acceptance at the origin to the various locations within Afghanistan. 2. Retrograde material back to Europe on return trip. The Government requires transit times of between 30 and 45 days for retrograde cargo from various points in Afghanistan to Europe. 3. Establish and operate up to six container transload points in Afghanistan. 4. Ensure cargo loss rate is less than 1% (to include losses due to pilferage, accident, spoilage, and attacks). 5. Provide real-time ITV compatible with command and control applications on cargo location and provide full access to the shipper and other Government employees designated by the contracting officer. 6. Deliver cargo by the required delivery date (RDD) on a minimum of 90% of shipments. 7. Provide direct delivery to forward operating bases, if required. 8. Initiate process improvements and other value added services. 9. Provide end-to-end management with customized information management reports related to delivery time, delivery reliability, shipment volume and other criteria that characterize and provide performance-based views. 10. Handle substantial increases in shipments (surge requirements) as needed for wartime and other contingencies. 11. Provide security for cargo from origin to destination. Market Survey: USTRANSCOM is asking for industry input and comment on this requirement to include commercial best practices and logistics/transportation management capabilities. All interested parties (to include potential prime contractors, subcontractors, or teams) are strongly encouraged to submit a response to this RFI. Responses should be concise and include the following: 1. Is your company capable of performing the services described and would you be interested in submitting a proposal for the services identified above? 2. If not, why? If so, briefly describe your capabilities. 3. What are the recommended commercial practices from a contract perspective for these types of services? 4. What are the methods/metrics the commercial industry uses for monitoring performance? 5. What flexibility in a performance work statement must the respondent have in order to propose the most effective and economical transportation operation? 6. What data from the US Government would be required for a responsible response to develop a proposal to manage and operate inbound and outbound transportation requirements? 7. Describe the risks associated with this effort. How can the risks be mitigated? 8. How the company would provide ITV, security, and process claims for lost, damaged or stolen freight. 9. Description of company?s teaming and relationship management with sub-contractors along with your company?s understanding of the challenges and risks of operating successfully in the region. 10. Specific identification of any limits to company?s capabilities. 11. Your company?s experience in providing the services described above and its experience with an operation similar in size and scope to that described above. Include the largest projects the company managed either as a prime or subcontractor including shipping volumes, total revenue, performance goal results, and other metrics with regards to pilferage, losses, % of RDD met, and how long the relationship lasted. 12. Your company?s recommended commercial pricing structure for the operation described above. Break down pricing to normal delivery, retrograde of empties and retrograde of material out of Afghanistan separately. What are the major cost drivers? 13. Recommended incentive provisions to motivate performance that will meet or exceed the goals of this effort (for example RDD, cargo loss metrics, ITV). 14. Are there any other concerns/comments or recommendations? Send responses to william.henderson@ustranscom.mil and cindy.strout@ustranscom.mil no later than close of business on 30 NOV 07. No phone or FAX responses will be accepted. Please ensure ?USTRANSCOM CARGO MARKET SURVEY? is listed in the subject line of your responses.