Request for Information (RFI).pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

Pursuant to FAR part 10 (Market Research), the United States Coast Guard is issuing this Sources Sought Notice (SSN) seeking qualified sources that demonstrate the capability to meet the agency's requirement. The United States Coast Guard is seeking TWIC readers and software support services in accordance with Attachment 1 Statement of Work. The Government is interested in a Firm Fixed Price contract consisting of one (1) twelve (12) month base period and (4) four option periods in the near future.

Purpose: The Coast Guard is issuing this request for information (RFI) for market research purposes to identify qualified sources that demonstrate the capability to meet the agency's requirement. The United States Coast Guard is seeking TWIC readers and software support services in accordance with Attachment 1 Statement of Work. The Government is interested in a Firm Fixed Price contract consisting of one (1) twelve (12) month base period and (4) four option periods.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) TWIC Reader Hardware and Card Application Specifications, Version 1.1.1 (“TSA Reader Spec”) contains information applicable to this SOW. If anything in this SOW differs with the TSA Reader Spec, the requirement in this SOW prevails.

The Contractor shall provide an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) of Hand-Held Multi-Mode Biometric Readers with software and hardware trouble shooting and support services. Product support services shall include but are not limited to tracking TSA implemented technical changes, troubleshooting reader malfunctions, conducting hardware to repair services, developing full tested software patches and upgrades, and equipment refreshes due to reader end of life status or any updates/changes to the definition and location of the Canceled Card List (CCL) and Visual Canceled Card List (VCCL) with respect to a URL address.

The Contractor shall ensure that the Hand-Held Readers along with the software shall be configured in accordance with the following sections of the TSA TWIC Reader Hardware and Card Application Specifications, Version 1.1.1: (Section 4 and Section 6-10, Appendix A (Authentication modes); Appendix C (reader adaptability); Appendix D (for the SID); and Appendix G (Biometric template usage). The readers shall also comply with Personal Identity Verification (PIV), Interoperable (PIV-1), and meet MIL-STD 810F specifications. The Hand-Held Reader shall also support the V1.0, V2.0, V2.3 marked TWIC cards, as well as future TWIC card versions issued during the duration of this order, in all supported modes of operations. In addition, the Contractor shall maintain a helpdesk log of all support service requests to be provided on an annual basis.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement may be 334419 - Other Electronic Component Manufacturing.

Disclaimer: There is no solicitation at this time. This RFI is not a request for proposals;

submission of any information in response to this request is purely voluntary; the Government will not pay for any costs incurred nor is obligated to respond. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

After reviewing RFI responses to this RFI, and if the USCG still plans to proceed with the acquisition, a solicitation announcement may be published on the Contract Opportunities (formerly FedBizOpps) website or distributed to contract holders if a strategically-sourced vehicle is deemed appropriate. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the Contract Opportunities website.

Failure to respond or submit sufficiently detailed information may result in a company not being considered a likely offeror when making a decision on whether or how to set aside a solicitation for restricted competition. Regardless of the information submitted, the Government reserves the right to consider any arrangement as determined appropriate for this requirement.

Respondents are advised that the Government will acknowledge receipt of the information received and may provide feedback to respondents with respect to the information submitted.

No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response to this RFI. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose determined necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation.

Request: If your organization has the wealth of experience, knowledge, technical requirements, and proven history of successful product/service, please provide the following information:

1) Organization name

2) Address

3) Website

4) Point of contact name

5) Point of contact email address

6) Point of contact telephone number

7) Socioeconomic status

8) Unique Entity Identifier

9) What information and/or resources would you typically need from the government to perform this effort?

10) Does your company currently have existing government-wide acquisition contracts (GWAC) (e.g. GSA) or other strategically sourced contracts for these types of requirements that the USCG can order off? If yes, please provide contract number, what agency it is with, and agency point of contact information.

11) What type of contract (e.g. firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, etc.) have you been issued before for this type of work? Do you recommend one type or a perhaps a hybrid (i.e. a contract that allows several types)?

12) Provide any general comments, thoughts, and feedback your company would like to share regarding this RFI.

13) Address the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of the organizational product, service and staff capabilities. Provide outlines and details on the product and service that is anticipated to be used by the Department of Homeland Security and United Stated Coast Guard.

14) If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated, organizations should address the logistical, administrative, and management structure of such arrangements.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties are invited to submit a response to the above questions by January 28, 2025 by 4:00 pm EST All responses and questions regarding this RFI must be emailed to Jesse.L.Womack@uscg.mil and Carbon Copy William.N.Gasperetti@uscg.mil mailto:Jesse.L.Womack@uscg.mil mailto:William.N.Gasperetti@uscg.mil