VKF Valve Group 3

ARNOLD ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT CENTER (AEDC), Arnold AFB, Tennessee, has a requirement to provide one (1) 48-inch and two (2) 84-inch NPS 150 pound class carbon steel butterfly control valve assemblies with FCI 70-2 Class IV seat leakage rates. The solicitation will contain one (1) option for a similar 84-inch valve assembly. The proposed acquisition will be a Total Small Business Set-Aside, which will result in a firm-fixed-price contract. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued on or about 10 May 2012. The due date and time for receipt of proposals will be stated in the RFP, but is anticipated to be on or about 12 June 2012. NOTE: The RFP and related documents will only be available electronically at the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. Please register as an interested vendor to be notified of RFP amendments, clarifications, etc. However, it is the responsibility of the contractor (even one registered as an interested vendor) to check the FBO website frequently to ensure they have all available information. The clause at AFFARS 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman (Apr 2010), will be incorporated into the solicitation, and subsequent contract, in full text as follows: AFFARS 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (Apr 2010) (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 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, concerned parties may contact the Center/MAJCOM or AFISRA ombudsmen, Mr. Michael Covington, 100 Kindel Drive, Suite A327, Arnold AFB TN 37389-1327, Telephone 931-454-5613, Facsimile 931-454-6415, michael.covington@arnold.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU or ARISRA level, may be brought by the concerned 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 (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067. (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.