23-00068 SAM.GOV sbc hydrogen combined synopsis.docx

0001 1/25/2023 Questions and Answers past current order is below:

The incumbent is Green Lantern with a five-year total aggregate of $53,268.84. Award price is based on unit rates. All awards will be made at the same dollar amount and there are no changes to the scope beyond changing points of contact.

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF NEED.

(I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number

NWWP93272300068SRG.

(III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-01 (DEC 2022) (Deviation 2022-02) (NOV 2021).

(IV) This solicitation is being issued as a total small business set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 325120. The size standard 1000 employees.

(V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services:

NOT-TO-EXCEED FIRM FIXED UNIT RATES OR FUNDED AMOUNT:

THIS PURCHASE ORDER IS A NOT TO EXCEED (NTE) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SHOULD ANY ADDITIONAL GAS BE REQUIRED, THE CONTRACTOR WILL NOT CONTINUE SUPPLYING ADDITIONAL GAS WITHOUT THE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO). ANY GAS PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTOR, WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CO MAY RESULT IN NON-PAYMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED.

ANY FUNDING REMAINING AFTER FINAL INVOICING WILL BE DEOBLIGATED.

CLIN 0001: BASE YEAR:

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF NEED.

a. _________ CF per cylinder

b. _________ #maximum cylinders to be provided

c. Hydrogen $ _________ per cylinder

d. Delivery $_________ per delivery (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

e. Hazmat $ _________per cylinder per day (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

f. Rental $_________ per cylinder per day (or per other unit _________)

g. Additional fees; _______ Annual Administrative Fee $_____________ (yearly or per other unit)

ESTIMATED YEARLY COST $________________

7/1/2023 THROUGH 6/30/2024

CLIN 1001 OPTION YEAR 1:

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF NEED.

a. _________ CF per cylinder

b. _________ #maximum cylinders to be provided

c. Hydrogen $ _________ per cylinder

d. Delivery $_________ per delivery (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

e. Hazmat $ _________per cylinder per day (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

f. Rental $_________ per cylinder per day (or per other unit _________)

g. Additional fees; _______ Annual Administrative Fee $_____________ (yearly or per other unit)

ESTIMATED YEARLY COST $________________

CLIN 2001 OPTION YEAR 2:

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF NEED.

a. _________ CF per cylinder

b. _________ #maximum cylinders to be provided

c. Hydrogen $ _________ per cylinder

d. Delivery $_________ per delivery (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

e. Hazmat $ _________per cylinder per day (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

f. Rental $_________ per cylinder per day (or per other unit _________)

g. Additional fees; _______ Annual Administrative Fee $_____________ (yearly or per other unit)

7/1/2025 THROUGH 6/30/2026

CLIN 3001 OPTION YEAR 3:

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF NEED.

a. _________ CF per cylinder

b. _________ #maximum cylinders to be provided

c. Hydrogen $ _________ per cylinder

d. Delivery $_________ per delivery (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

e. Hazmat $ _________per cylinder per day (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

f. Rental $_________ per cylinder per day (or per other unit _________)

g. Additional fees; _______ Annual Administrative Fee $_____________ (yearly or per other unit)

7/1/2025 THROUGH 6/30/2026

CLIN 4001 OPTION YEAR 4:

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF NEED.

a. _________ CF per cylinder

b. _________ #maximum cylinders to be provided

c. Hydrogen $ _________ per cylinder

d. Delivery $_________ per delivery (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

e. Hazmat $ _________per cylinder per day (check one delivery _________ or per canister _________)

f. Rental $_________ per cylinder per day (or per other unit _________)

g. Additional fees; _______ Annual Administrative Fee $_____________ (yearly or per other unit)

7/1/2026 THROUGH 6/30/2027

FIVE-YEAR AGGREGATE COST $______________

(Indicate applicable Federal, State and Local Taxes)

(VI) Description of requirements is as follows:

SCOPE

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

NATIONAL OCEANIC ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

NASHVILEE WFO (WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE)

HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, DELIVERY AND CYLINDER RENTAL

PURCHASE AND PICKUP/DELIVERY HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY, HAZMAT FEE AND CYLINDER RENTAL FEE TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) NASHVILLE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) LOCATED AT 500 WEATHER STATION ROAD, OLD HICKORY, TN 37138.

1. BACKGROUND:

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a 24 hour, 365-day operation, and is a public safety agency. The primary mission of the NWS is the protection of life and property. The NWS in Old Hickory, TN launches weather balloons routinely twice a day at 0500 and 1700 Central Time. Each balloon requires approximately 75 cubic feet (CF) of hydrogen. Instrumentation is attached to each balloon which provides measurements of temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and height. This data is transmitted worldwide and used to make weather forecasts out to 10 days.

2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the NWS is to receive and keep on-site an adequate supply of hydrogen gas (no less than 600 CF, up to 4,500 CF) in individual cylinders to perform the weather balloon launches on schedule.

3. SCOPE

The Contractor is responsible for supplying hydrogen to the NWS upper air building located at 500 Weather Station Road Old Hickory, TN 37138. The total amount of hydrogen to be delivered for the 12-month period of this requirement will be a minimum of 54,000 CF, up to a maximum of 70,000 CF. The hydrogen will be supplied at regular intervals throughout the period, provided as individual cylinders, delivered approximately every two weeks. See Delivery Schedule in Section 6, below, for details.

4. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All deliveries are to be made to the NWS office at 500 Weather Station Road Old Hickory, TN 37138. The point of delivery is at the Upper Air Inflation building, located on the East side of the main building at the top of the driveway past the main office. The hydrogen truck is permitted to use the main driveway for delivery; drop off door is located on the South side of the inflation building (red arrow on below picture of the facilities).

5. REQUIREMENTS

Site Storage and Usage: All hydrogen must be provided in individual cylinders as the facility is not arranged to allow for other configurations. The Government has space at the delivery point to receive and store up to 22 cylinders of hydrogen at a time. This site uses a minimum of 150 CF of hydrogen, every day of the year. Actual use has the potential to vary if we have to launch extra balloons. We anticipate using 2,100 CF every 2 weeks, but need to keep an additional store of hydrogen on site in case of additional unforeseen launches. The intent is that we will be replenished to our maximum of approximately 4,334 CF after each completed delivery.

Initial Delivery: The contractor shall supply a minimum of 4,334 CF of hydrogen on May 1, 2018. The actual amount of supplied will vary based on the size of the cylinders. The hydrogen will be contained in no more than 30, 197 CF capacity individual cylinders.

Delivery Schedule: Deliveries shall be made every other week, Monday through Friday between the hours of 0800 and 1700 local time. This is a strict time slot as the balloon launches must not be delayed or interrupted in order to receive the delivery. Balloon launches occur twice a day, every day of the year, regardless of holidays. Therefore, the delivery schedule needs to be maintained regardless of holidays. If a holiday falls on a scheduled delivery day and the Contractor is not able to complete a regularly scheduled delivery, the Contractor shall make arrangements in advance for an alternate delivery date. The Contractor will contact the NWS office if a delivery is going to be delayed for any other reason. If the Contractor is unable to find a reasonable supply in time to fill the requirement, the NWS reserves the right to purchase hydrogen from another supplier outside of this contract.

If additional deliveries are required prior to the next regularly scheduled delivery, the NWS will contact the Contractor and request the additional delivery, with delivery to be completed within three calendar days of being contacted.

The delivery schedule shall be arranged with the Upper Air Program Point-of Contact, Meteorologist-In-Charge (MIC), or Administrative Support Assistant (ASA) upon contract award (see section 9 below for contact information).

Transition Period: If this contract is awarded to other than the incumbent Contractor, then prior to the first day of the contract, the new Contractor and one of the agency points of contact, listed in section 9 below, shall establish the delivery schedule, including coordinating the initial delivery to coincide with the pickup of cylinders by the former contractor. Likewise, upon completion of this contract, if the new follow-on contract is awarded to other than the current Contractor, the current Contractor shall participate in the transition coordination efforts in order to minimize the risk of a missed balloon launch due to the hydrogen being unavailable at the launch site. The end-of-contract transition period may include a lighter delivery in the final weeks of the contract.

Recurring Deliveries: The point of delivery is not staffed except for during the balloon launches. The Contractor shall supply hydrogen gas to the Place of Performance in accordance with the coordinated date and time schedule

The Contractor will replenish back to 4,334 CF of hydrogen on a bi-monthly basis in accordance with the arranged schedule, replacing all empty hydrogen cylinders with full hydrogen cylinders. The Contractor shall pick up the empty cylinders in the same trip. If additional deliveries are required prior to the next regularly scheduled delivery, the NWS will contact the Contractor and request the additional delivery, with delivery to be completed within three business days of being contacted.

The Contractor shall contact NWS personnel at this location when arriving for a delivery. The loading area is located on the South side of the inflation building. The loading area will remain clear of obstructions and all safety rules shall be followed. Cylinders can be rolled from a truck lift gate to its delivery point. All equipment necessary for loading and unloading the hydrogen shall be provided by the Contractor.

The Contractor shall ensure the bottles are securely strapped to the stand at delivery and placed in an orderly/neat and clean fashion with cap loose and nozzle facing out. The Contractor shall perform the deliveries in such a manner that there will be minimal interruption to or interference with the normal operation of Government business on the premises. NWS personnel will not assist with loading or unloading of cylinders.

Evidence of Delivery: The Driver shall provide evidence of delivery by way of receipt signed by an NWS representative at the time of delivery. A copy of the signed receipt shall be left with the NWS representative, and a copy shall also be attached to the associated invoice when mailed.

Compliance: If any of the deliveries do not conform to contract requirements (i.e. a delivery results in less than full replenishment of hydrogen to 4,334 CF), the Government reserves the right to require the Contractor to bring the delivery into conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount (i.e. without additional delivery charges).

6. SAFETY AND SECURITY

All rules concerning safety, not smoking and the security of the property must be observed at all times.

Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be provided by the Contractor to the MIC or ASA at each office, where the information will be kept on file in accordance with applicable guidelines of the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard. Requirements pertaining to recordkeeping will be strictly followed, with copy(s) provided to MIC as necessary and upon request.

7. INVOICING

The Contractor will invoice on a monthly basis in arrears for that month’s hydrogen deliveries and related surcharges (i.e. cylinder rental fee, etc.). The invoice must include the following items:

a. Name and address of the contractor, which must be the same as that on the Purchase Order

b. Invoice date and invoice number

c. Purchase Order number and associated line item number from the Purchase Order Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of supplies delivered, and date of delivery

d. Evidence of delivery by way of receipt signed by NWS representative at the time of delivery

e. Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice (a defective invoice is one that does not meet all the above requirements)

The invoices may be sent to the following address:

National Weather Service 500 Weather Station Road Old Hickory, TN 37138

Alternatively, the invoices may be e-mailed to be provided

(VII) DELIVERY PERIOD:

Base Year: 7/1/2023 through 6/30/2024 Option Year 1: 7/1/2024 through 6/30/2025 Option Year 2: 7/1/2025 through 6/30/2026 Option Year 3: 7/1/2026 through 6/30/2027 Option Year 4: 7/1/2027 through 6/30/2028

(VIII) FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the solicitation. However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees if the acquisition— (1)Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(2)Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or (3)Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)

(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and-

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)

(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to- GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925 Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST ( https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).

(ii) Quick Search ( http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by-

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier.(Applies to all offers that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror's name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror’s offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.

Quotes shall be fully executed and returned using the quoting section of this solicitation. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are acceptable (preferred) and can be sent to Suzanne Garrett, email suzanne.garrett@noaa.gov.

At a minimum the contractor shall provide the following information:

c) SAM.gov Unique Entity ID

d) EIN Code

RFQ FAR 52.237-1 SITE VISIT (APR 1984)

Vendors are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

YOUR SITE VISIT POINT OF CONTACT IS THE FOLLOWING:

MATT REAGAN (SITE)

PHONE: 615-200-6041

EMAIL: MATT.REAGAN@NOAA.GOV

BEFORE COMING TO THE SITE YOU WILL NEED TO GET AN APPROVAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT VIA EMAIL OR PHONE AND A TIME AND DATE SET UP FOR THE SITE VISIT.

NOTE: NOT ATTENDING THE SITE VISIT WILL NOT BE AN ACCEPTABLE CAUSE TO JUSTIFY A LATER REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

CAR 1352.215-72 INQUIRIES (APR 2010)

OFFERORS MUST SUBMIT ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS SOLICITATION IN WRITING (EMAIL) TO SUZANNE.GARRETT@NOAA.GOV. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. MDT/MST, FEBRUARY 10, 2023. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract.

(IX) FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2021), applies to this acquisition. Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a) the Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. This is a lowest priced technically acceptable (LPTA) requirement evaluation of all associated quoted costs.

1. Capability to provide the products, delivery and meet the estimated need installation as provided in the scope.

a. Provide two relevant references including the NAME OF THE POINT OF CONTACT PERSON, EMAIL, BUSINESS NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE WORK.

b. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of contractor performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on responsiveness, quality, and customer services. This is a PASS/FAIL

2. Price - This pricing must follow the regulations, laws and statute. Provide a breakdown of all rates for all parts of the cost of purchase and delivery in the blanks above.

3. Please provide a description of how your pricing is determined and Index site you are using.

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 receipt, unless written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT".

(X) THE OFFEROR MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED COPY OF THE PROVISION AT

FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (DEC 2022) (DEVIATION 2023-03) (DEC 2022) The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— "Covered telecommunications equipment or services" has the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States and who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 13 CFR part 127, and the concern is certified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier in accordance with 13 CFR 127.300. It automatically qualifies as a women-owned small business eligible under the WOSB Program.

Forced or indentured child labor means all work or service—

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

Highest-level owner means the entity that owns or controls an immediate owner of the offeror, or that owns or controls one or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror. No entity owns or exercises control of the highest level owner.

Immediate owner means an entity, other than the offeror, that has direct control of the offeror. Indicators of control include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: ownership or interlocking management, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, and the common use of employees.

Inverted domestic corporation, means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

Manufactured end product means any end product in product and service codes (PSCs) 1000-9999, except—

(1) PSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Product or Service Group (PSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) PSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) PSG 89, Subsistence;

(5) PSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

(6) PSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) PSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) PSC 9610, Ores;

(9) PSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) PSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

Place of manufacture means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

Predecessor means an entity that is replaced by a successor and includes any predecessors of the predecessor.

Reasonable inquiry has the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Restricted business operations means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate—

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended."Sensitive technology"— Sensitive technology—

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically—

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3)of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern—

(1) Means a small business concern—

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veteransor, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

Small business concern—

(1) Means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field of operation, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

(2) Affiliates, as used in this definition, means business concerns, one of whom directly or indirectly controls or has the power to control the others, or a third party or parties control or have the power to control the others. In determining whether affiliation exists, consideration is given to all appropriate factors including common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. SBA determines affiliation based on the factors set forth at 13 CFR 121.103.

Small disadvantaged business concern, consistent with13 CFR 124.1002, means a small business concern under the size standard applicable to the acquisition, that—

(1) Is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned (as defined at 13 CFR 124.105) by—

(i) One or more socially disadvantaged (as defined at13 CFR 124.103) and economically disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.104) individuals who are citizens of the United States; and

(ii) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage has a net worth not exceeding $850,000 (DEVIATION 2023-03) after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR124.104(c)(2); and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled (as defined at 13.CFR 124.106) by individuals, who meet the criteria in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) of this definition.

Subsidiary means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned—

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation Successor means an entity that has replaced a predecessor by acquiring the assets and carrying out the affairs of the predecessor under a new name (often through acquisition or merger). The term "successor" does not include new offices/divisions of the same company or a company that only changes its name. The extent of the responsibility of the successor for the liabilities of the predecessor may vary, depending on State law and specific circumstances.

Veteran-owned small business concern means a small business concern—

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

Women-owned business concern means a concern which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its stock is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women Women-owned small business concern means a small business concern—

(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Women-owned small business (WOSB) concern eligible under the WOSB Program (in accordance with 13 CFR part 127), means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States, and the concern is certified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier in accordance with 13 CFR 127.300.

(b)

(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the Offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications in SAM.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard(s) applicable to the NAICS code(s) referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs ______________.

[Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (v) of this provision that the offeror has completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any.

These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted electronically on SAM.]

(c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii). Check all that apply.

(1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that—

(i) It □ is, □ is not a small business concern; or

(ii) It □ is, □ is not a small business joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 121.103(h) and 13 CFR 125.8(a) and (b). [ The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __.]

(2) Veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it □ is, □ is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

(3) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. [ Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that—

(i) It □ is, □ is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern; or (ii)It □ is, □ is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 125.18(b)(1) and (2). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __.] Each service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern participating in the joint venture shall provide representation of its service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern status.

(4) Small disadvantaged business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, that it □ is, □ is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002.

(5) Women-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it □ is, □ is not a women-owned small business concern.

(6) WOSB joint venture eligible under the WOSB Program. The offeror represents that it □ is, □ is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 127.506(a) through (c). [ The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __.]

(7) Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) joint venture. The offeror represents that it □ is, □ is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 127.506(a) through (c). [ The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __.]

(8) Women-owned business concern (other than small business concern). [Complete only if the offeror is a women-owned business concern and did not represent itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it □ is a women-owned business concern.

(9) Tie bid priority for labor surplus area concerns. If this is an invitation for bid, small business offerors may identify the labor surplus areas in which costs to be incurred on account of manufacturing or production (by offeror or first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price:____________________________________

(10) HUBZone small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that–

(i) It □ is, □ is not a HUBZone small business concern listed, on the date of this representation, as having been certified by SBA as a HUBZone small business concern in the Dynamic Small Business Search and SAM, and will attempt to maintain an employment rate of HUBZone residents of 35 percent of its employees during performance of a HUBZone contract (see 13 CFR 126.200(e)(1)); and

(ii) It □ is, □ is not a HUBZone joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 126.616(a) through (c). [ The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __.] Each HUBZone small business concern participating in the HUBZone joint venture shall provide representation of its HUBZone status.

(d) Representations required to implement provisions of Executive Order11246-

(1) Previous contracts and compliance. The offeror represents that-

(i) It □ has, □ has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this solicitation; and

(ii) It □ has, □ has not filed all required compliance reports.

(2) Affirmative Action Compliance. The offeror represents that-

(i) It □ has developed and has on file, □ has not developed and does not have on file, at each establishment, affirmative action programs required by rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor (41 CFR parts 60-1 and 60-2), or

(ii) It □ has not previously had contracts subject to the written affirmative action programs requirement of the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

(e) Certification Regarding Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (31 http://uscode.house.gov/ U.S.C. 1352). (Applies only if the contract is expected to exceed $150,000.) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress or an employee of a Member of Congress on his or her behalf in connection with the award of any resultant contract. If any registrants under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 have made a lobbying contact on behalf of the offeror with respect to this contract, the offeror shall complete and submit, with its offer, OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, to provide the name of the registrants. The offeror need not report regularly employed officers or employees of the offeror to whom payments of reasonable compensation were made.

(f) Buy American Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies, is included in this solicitation.)

(1)

(i) The Offeror certifies that each end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (f)(3) of this provision contains a critical component, except those listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this provision, is a domestic end product.

(ii) The Offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products. For those foreign end products that do not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the Offeror shall also indicate whether these foreign end products exceed 55 percent domestic content, except for those that are COTS items. If the percentage of the domestic content is unknown, select “no”.

(iii) The Offeror shall separately list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component (see FAR 25.105).

(iv) The terms “commercially available…