Various Skin Panels for the USCG C130 aircraft

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation HSCG38-12-R-H00003 is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-55. The solicitation is set aside 100% for small businesses with NAICS code 336413 and small business size standard of 1000 employees. The items to be acquired are as follows: (1) NSN 1560-98-853-6742, SKIN PANEL, PN 341236-32, qty 1 ea; (2) NSN 1560-HS1-9313, OW SLIN PANEL,UP RI, Hologram Program, PN 341236-34, qty 3 ea; (3) NSN 1560-01-445-0001, SKIN PANEL, RW, Hologram Program, PN 341237-38, qty 5 ea; (4) NSN 1560-01-HS2-0597, SKIN, AIRCRAFT, PN 352387-16L, qty 3 ea; (5) NSN 1560-01-HS2-0095, SKIN AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 338326-20L, qty 2 ea; (6) NSN 1560-01-HS1-9312, OW SKIN PANEL UP RI, Hologram Program, PN 341238-40, qty 3 ea; (7) NSN 1560-01-527-5694, SKIN AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 338326-16L, qty 2 ea; (8) NSN 1560-01-520-5041, SKIN AIRCRAFT, PN 338326-21R, qty 1 ea; (9) NSN 1560-01-520-4902, INNER SKIN PANEL, PN 352387-12R, qty 3 ea; (10) NSN 1560-01-520-4662, SKIN AIRCRAFT, PN 338328-22L, qty 2 ea; (11) NSN 1560-01-520-4659, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 338326-24R, qty 1 ea; (12) NSN 1560-01-520-4656, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 338326-18L, qty 1 ea; (13) NSN 1560-01-520-4653, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 338326-15R, qty 1 ea; (14) NSN 1560-01-457-0968, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 338328-23L, qty 2 ea; (15) NSN 1560-01-345-8043, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 338326-14L, qty 1 ea; (16) NSN 1560-01-344-7678, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 338328-20R, qty 2 ea; (17) NSN 1560-001-344-7676, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 338328-22R, qty 1 ea; (18) NSN 1560-01-344-7674, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 338328-6R, qty 1 ea; (19) NSN 1560-01-HS2-0088, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 338326-15L, qty 1 ea; (20) NSN 1560-01-445-0002, SKIN ASSY, Hologram Program, PN 341237-37, qty 5 ea; (21) NSN 1560-01-344-7675, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 338328-24R, qty 1 ea; (22) NSN 1560-01-HS1-9313, OW SLIN PANEL,UP RI, Hologram Program, PN 341236-34, qty 4 ea; (23) NSN 1560-00-908-8563, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, Hologram Program, PN 341991-89R, qty 4 ea; (24) NSN 1560-00-908-7984, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 341991-109, qty 2 ea; (25) NSN 1560-00-908-8564, SKIN PANEL, Hologram Program, PN 341991-65L, qty 1 ea; (26) NSN 1560-01-549-8481, SKIN PANEL, Hologram Program, PN 341238-38, qty1 ea; (27) NSN ---, SKIN PANEL, PN 341991-116, qty 1 ea; (28) NSN ---, SKIN PANEL, PN 341991-112, qty 1 ea; (29) NSN ---, SKIN PANEL, PN 341238-37, qty 1 ea; (30) NSN ---, SKIN PANEL, Hologram Program, PN 341239-37, qty 1 ea; (31) NSN ---, SKIN PANEL, Hologram Program, PN 341239-29, qty 1 ea; (32) NSN ---, SKIN PANEL, PN 341239-30, qty 1 ea; (33) NSN 1560-00-036-8254, SKIN PANEL, Hologram Program, PN 341991-57L, qty 1 ea; (34) 1680-01-HS1-9184, OW PANEL ASSY,UP L, Hologram Program, PN 341238-39, qty 1 ea; (35) NSN 1560-01-423-9085, SKIN,AIRCRAFT, PN 341991-111, qty 1 ea; (36) NSN 1680-01-HS1-9189, OW PANEL ASSY, UP LE, Hologram Program, PN 341236-31, qty 2 ea. This requirement will be issued to only those sources with traceability to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Lockheed Martin. The vendor must be a certified Lockheed Martin parts manufacturer capable of manufacturing the part numbers listed in the solicitation. All distributors or brokers must provide traceability to the OEM and provide all documentation to include a Certificate of Conformance (COC). For those part numbers identified as part of the Hologram Program, hologram parts are preferred. If a hologram part is provided, it must have all documentation and traceability to the authorized manufacturer. No pre-drilled or pilot holes will be accepted. Vendors may provide quotes for some or all of the items listed above. This solicitation may result in multiple awards. Drawings or specifications are not available, and cannot be furnished by the Government. Delivery to the USCG Aviation Logistics Center, Bldg. 63, Receiving Section, Elizabeth City, NC 27909-5001 shall be f.o.b. destination. Required delivery is as soon as possible after receipt of order. Packaging, packing, and preservation shall be in accordance with best commercial practices to enable shipment to Coast Guard units without repackaging or incurring damage during shipment and handling. Packaging shall NOT consist of the following material: popcorn, shredded paper, Styrofoam of any type, or peanut-style packaging. Labeling shall include the appropriate NSN, Part Number, Nomenclature, Quantity, Purchase Order Number, and Line Item Number. Labeling data shall be attached to the outside of the shipping container. Bar coding is not required. Inspection shall be by COC and acceptance shall be performed by USCG ALC Quality Assurance. FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation�Commercial Items (Jan 1999) (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors, in descending order of importance, shall be used to evaluate offers: Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement, delivery schedule, past performance, price. Technical capability includes (1) Offeror must provide traceability to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (2) No pre-drilled or pilot holes are allowed, and (3) Offeror must be a certified Lockheed Martin parts manufacturer capable of manufacturing the part numbers listed in the solicitation. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer�s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. 52.252.1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) This solicitation incorporates provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full test. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html. FAR 52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on recycled Paper (May 2011) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors�Commercial Items (Jun 2008) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications�Commercial Items (Jan 2011) Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision. FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions�Commercial Items (Jun 2010) 52.211-14 Notice of Priority Rating for National Defense, Emergency Preparedness, and Energy Program Use (Apr 2008) The assigned rating is DO-A1. FAR 52.211-15 Defense Priority and Allocation Requirement (Apr 2008) FAR 52.247-34 FOB Destination (Nov 1991) FAR 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Aug 1996). 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders�Commercial Items. (Jan 2012) (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: (1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). ___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). (2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553). (3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78). (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: _x_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402). __ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)). __ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.) __ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). __ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act�Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5). __ (6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government�s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). _x_ (7) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jan 2012) (41 U.S.C. 2313). __ (8) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (section 740 of Division C of Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Pub. L. 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Pub. L. 110-161). __ (9) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a). __ (10) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (JAN 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a). __ (11) [Reserved] _x_ (12)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644). __ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011). __ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011). __ (13)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). __ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7. __ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7. _x_ (14) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). __ (15)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)). __ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. __ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. __ (iv) Alternate III (Jul 2010) of 52.219-9. __ (16) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011)(15 U.S.C. 644(r)). _x_ (17) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)). __ (18) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages�Subcon-tracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)). __ (19)(i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (OCT 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer). __ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23. __ (20) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program�Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Dec 2010) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). __ (21) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program� Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). __ (22) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657 f). _x_ (23) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). __ (24) 52.219-29 Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Nov 2011). __ (25) 52.219-30 Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Nov 2011). __ (26) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). _x_ (27) 52.222-19, Child Labor�Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jul 2010) (E.O. 13126). _x_ (28) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). _x_ (29) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). _x_ (30) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010)(38 U.S.C. 4212). _x_ (31) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). _x_ (32) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (SEP 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). _x_ (33) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). __ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (JAN 2009). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) __ (35)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA�Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) __ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) __ (36) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b). __ (37)(i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (DEC 2007) (E.O. 13423). __ (ii) Alternate I (DEC 2007) of 52.223-16. _x_ (38) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) (E.O. 13513). __ (39) 52.225-1, Buy American Act�Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d). __ (40)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act�Free Trade Agreements�Israeli Trade Act (June 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, and 110-138). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3. __ (iii) Alternate II (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3. __ (41) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2011) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). __ (42) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.�s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). __ (43) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). __ (44) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). __ (45) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). __ (46) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). _x_ (47) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer�Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332). __ (48) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer�Other than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332). __ (49) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332). __ (50) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a). __ (51)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). __ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64. (c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: __ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act�Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act�Price Adjustment (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment�Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 351, et seq.). __ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services�Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). __ (7) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). __ (8) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sept 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)). (d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records�Negotiation. (1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor�s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract. (2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved. (3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law. (e)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause� (i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)). (ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Dec 2010) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $650,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities. (iii) [Reserved] (iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). (v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (vi) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). (vii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40. (viii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). (ix) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). ___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). (x) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). (xi) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). (xii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (JAN 2009). (xiii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6. (xiv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64. (2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations. (End of clause) Point of contact is Cynthia Boone at (252) 384-7182. Closing date/time for submission of quotations is 2 February 2012, 3:00 P.M. EST. Submissions may be emailed to Cynthia.A.Boone@uscg.mil, or submitted to USCG ALC Long Range Surveillance PLD HMF, Attn: Cynthia Boone, 1060 Consolidated Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. All responsible sources may submit an offer, which will be considered. Vendors must have a valid Cage Code and DUNS number and be registered in CCR. Offers may be submitted on company letterhead stationery and must include the following information: Solicitation number, the National Stock Number, Nomenclature, Part Number, Unit Price, and Payment terms. Notice to Offerors: It is the policy of the Coast Guard to issue solicitations and make contract awards in a fair and timely manner. To further this policy, the Commandant has created the position of Solicitation Ombudsman who is empowered to investigate issues raised by prospective offerors and resolve them, where possible, without expensive and time consuming litigation. Potential offerors who believe that a Coast Guard solicitation 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 offeror should then contact the 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. Telephone (202) 372-3695, Fax Number (202) 475-3904. Potential offerors should provide the following information to the Ombudsman in order to ensure a timely response: Solicitation Number, Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, and Solicitation Closing Date.