Sources_Sought_Warehouse Support Services.docx

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) is issuing this sources sought notice as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having the resources, interest, and capability to provide comprehensive day-to-day warehousing operations, warehouse space management, logistics support, and Property Accountability Support (PAS) services maintaining accurate accountability in Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (N-ERP).

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government will not award a contract based on this notice, nor will it reimburse respondents for any costs associated with preparing or submitting responses to this RFI.

The Government is currently defining its acquisition strategy and pricing approach for this requirement. To ensure a strategy that promotes fair competition, manages risk appropriately, and aligns with commercial best practices, the Government is considering a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type or a hybrid contract structure (utilizing both FFP and Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)).

1.0 Objectives

The primary objectives of this RFI are to:

Assess the availability, capability, and interest of qualified small and large business entities.

Solicit industry recommendations on Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structuring and pricing contract type, specifically identifying which operational components of the Statement of Work lend themselves to a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) approach versus alternative or hybrid contract structures.

2.0 Operational Background & Scope of Work

The Government has an operational requirement for turnkey commercial warehouse management services to support high-tempo manufacturing, maintenance, and logistics distribution operations.

2.1 Scope Overview

The contractor will be required to provide end-to-end warehouse management, operating within a commercial warehouse solution located within strict proximity thresholds to Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD).

Key technical and operational specifications include:

Proximity & Response Window: Warehouse space situated within 20 drivable miles and no more than a 40-minute driving transit window from NSWC IHD to ensure critical Mean Time to Recovery (MTTR) thresholds (typically 90–120 minutes rapid-response turnaround) are met.

Storage Footprint: A minimum of 50,000 square feet of contiguous warehouse and administrative space, including at least 10,000 square feet equipped with industrial-grade, three-tier (minimum) racking systems.

Personnel Accommodations: Fully furnished and maintained administrative workspaces, breakrooms, restrooms, and environmental controls sufficient to accommodate up to 30 Government personnel daily.

Docking & Staging: Dedicated docking bays and loading areas engineered for continuous, simultaneous tractor-trailer operations.

Material Handling Equipment (MHE): Maintenance and operation of designated Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) and contractor-provided MHE in full compliance with safety standards.

IT and Infrastructure: High-speed enterprise business connectivity (fiber preferred) for administrative operations, coupled with reliable facility-wide wireless (Wi-Fi) coverage supporting automated barcode scanning, digital inventory tracking, and property accountability.

3.0 Industry Feedback: FFP Feasibility & CLIN Structuring

The Government is currently evaluating its acquisition strategy. To balance risk, maintain price competition, and prevent unnecessary cost padding or contingency premiums, the Government seeks direct industry input on how best to structure the CLINs and pricing mechanisms based on the draft statement of work.

Respondents are requested to address the following topics:

3.1 Scope Suitability for Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

FFP Viability: Based on the scope outlined in Section 5.0, which specific services, operational components, or deliverables lend themselves best to a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) model (e.g., base warehouse management, space and utilities, routine preventive maintenance of MHE, fixed administrative support)?

Volatile / Variable Components: What requirements or scope areas carry excessive volatility, external dependencies, or unquantifiable risk that would make an FFP model cost-prohibitive or drive significant risk premiums into vendor proposals?

Hybrid Approaches: If a single FFP structure is sub-optimal, would your organization recommend a hybrid structure combining FFP for base operational readiness or Cost-Reimbursable CLINs for variable throughput or surge requirements?

4.0 Corporate Capabilities and Experience

Interested parties are requested to submit a concise Capability Statement addressing their ability to fulfill this requirement in accordance with the draft statement of work:

Company Profile:

Company Name, Address, and Website Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email) CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Socioeconomic Status under NAICS 493110 (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB) Geographic Proximity & Warehouse Capacity:

Detail your firm’s current or proposed warehouse management solution situated within 20 drivable miles and a 40-minute driving transit window of NSWC IHD.

Confirm the capability to provide at least 50,000 square feet of contiguous warehouse and administrative space with 30-person office accommodation.

5.0 Submission Instructions

Due Date and Time: All responses must be received no later than 28 September 2026 at 15:00 EST.

Delivery Method: Submissions shall be delivered electronically via email to:

Contracting Officer: Kristina Chisley <kristina.l.chisley.civ@us.navy.mil> Contract Specialist Melinda Blaine <melinda.s.blaine.civ@us.navy.mil> Subject Line: Response to RFI: Warehouse Management Services - [Company Name] Format: Responses must be submitted in searchable PDF or Microsoft Word format, 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font, with standard 1-inch margins.

Page Limit: Submissions should not exceed fifteen (15) pages total (excluding cover page and executive summary).

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR STATEMENT OF WORK ACCESS:

To view the SOW associated with this sources sought, an Offeror must be currently certified through the United States/Canada Joint Certification Program.

To become certified for receipt of the technical documents, Offerors must submit a completed DD Form 2345 to the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office. In addition, a copy of the company's State/Provincial Business License, Incorporation Certificate, sales Tax Identification Form or other documentation which verifies the legitimacy of the company must accompany all DD Form 2345s. Additional information on the Joint Certification Program and a checklist for completion of the DD Form 2345 is available at the following website: http://www.dla.mil/HQ/InformationOperations/Offers/Products/LogisticsApplications/JCP/.

Offerors are encouraged to apply for certification as early as possible in order for processing and receipt of information to be completed in sufficient time to prepare a proposal before solicitation closing.

Instructions for filling out a DD Form 2345 can be found here:

https://www.dla.mil/logistics-operations/services/joint-certification-program/#jcp-certification-us

Please email the APPROVED DD Form 2345 to melinda.s.blaine.civ@us.navy.mil and kristina.l.chisley.civ@us.navy.mil to receive the SOW.

6.0 Proprietary Data & Disclaimers

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.

All proprietary information must be clearly marked as such on each individual page containing proprietary data. The Government will handle proprietary information in accordance with applicable federal statutes, including the Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1905) and FAR 3.104 (Procurement Integrity). Responses will not be returned. The Government will treat all provided market feedback as source material to inform its upcoming solicitation documents and acquisition plan.