PR12403186-RFQ-SOW.docx

Embassy of the United States of America Rabat, Morocco

July 17, 2024

Subject: RFQ PR12403186/Purchase and installation of thirty (30) desktop computers, multimedia accessories and equipment. Installation will take place in Tangiers, Morocco.

Questions Due Date: July 22, 2024, before 16:00pm local time.

Quotation Due Date: July 31, 2024, before 16:00pm local time.

The U.S. Embassy Rabat has a requirement for the Purchase and installation of thirty (30) desktop computers, multimedia accessories and equipment for an external partner in Tangiers, Morocco, in accordance with the specifications and terms and conditions set forth herein.

The U.S. Government intends to award a contract/purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the lowest priced, technically acceptable (LPTA) offeror/quoter who is a responsible contractor, in accordance with FAR 52.212-1. The Government intends to award a purchase order based on initial quotations, without holding discussions, although we may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if there is a need to do so.

Vendors are advised that offers will be evaluated solely on those specifications stipulated as mandatory requirements below. Additional features or options further to the requirements specified may be accepted by the Government but will not be factored into the technical evaluation or considered in the ranking of vendors’ prices. Pricing information for any additional options will be disregarded.

All offers shall be FIRM FIXED PRICE. The price quoted by the vendor shall include all labor, materials, overhead, profit, and transportation necessary to deliver the equipment to Tangiers, Morocco. Payment will only be made for amounts itemized in the vendor’s quotation. Any additional costs not itemized and/or stipulated in the submitted quotation will not be considered for payment under any circumstances.

Vendors’ timelines for delivery shall be considered in the course of the technical evaluation and the Government reserves the right to place its order for the equipment with any vendor whose offer meets the minimum mandatory specifications, and who can ensure delivery in the shortest timeframe, which is set to not exceed five (5) calendar weeks from the date of award. Should the awarded vendor not deliver the ordered equipment within the specified timescale, the Embassy reserves the right to unilaterally withdraw its order and source the required equipment from another responsible vendor.

An invoice shall be issued after the selected vendor completes all requirements of the award and provides a proper invoice with required supporting documentation. Full payment will be made against the invoice within 30 days upon acceptance of a proper invoice, per the Prompt Payment Act.

Past performance reference check:

If you were awarded a similar or identical award to the U.S. Embassy Rabat or another U.S. diplomatic mission, please provide the relevant Purchase Order/Contract number(s) and the Point(s) of Contact (POCs). This information will be used to evaluate past performance and determine any positive or derogatory information.

In addition, reference information for past sales to other government or non-governmental agencies or institutions, etc. should also be provided. Any adverse past performance may be judged to constitute technical unacceptability by the Embassy’s technical evaluation panel. The assessment of past performance shall be at the sole discretion of the Embassy’s technical evaluation panel, as will any determinations pursuant thereto regarding a vendor’s technical acceptability.

Description:

This contract will procure and install thirty (30) desktop computers, multimedia accessories and peripheral equipment for an external partner in Tangiers, Morocco. This activity seeks to support the external partner’s operations with a multimedia digital English language laboratory. The Multimedia Digital English Language Laboratory shall interface seamlessly with Internet language learning platforms via high-speed wireless technology. The Language laboratory shall offer English language learning skills to beginners as well as more advanced students based on the LSRW (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) methodology. While the English Laboratory will focus on English instruction, it should also be able to support training in the following additional languages: Arabic, French, and Spanish.

Detailed list of the language software, accessories and equipment are listed below in the Activities Requirements section.

The language software must be bilingual English – Arabic content software to facilitate the students understanding of concepts. The language desktop computers, software, multimedia accessories and equipment must be shipped and installed at the external partner’s site in Tangiers, Morocco. The Embassy will assist the awardee with all access requirements.

TOTAL

Equipment Characteristics:

Install a fully functional 30-person language multimedia Lab operating on a state-of-the-art language learning software, complete with supporting equipment (desktop computers, multimedia accessories, cabling, electrical connections); and training teachers and technicians at the external partner’s location in Tangiers. The program is further detailed in Activities Requirements section below.

Expected outputs:

a. A language software (preferably bilingual English – Arabic content software) procured and installed.

b. Thirty (30) desktop computers and multimedia accessories procured and installed.

c. Two years (from the date of successful installation of the Lab and Activities above) of support provided for training programs related to the installed language software.

d. A two-year warranty provided, running from date of successful installation of the language software, that includes technical support, updated maintenance, and replacement of software to keep the software system operating at peak level and fully functional for its intended purpose.

Period of Performance:

This contract shall be effective on the date of the Contracting Officer's signature and shall remain in full force and effect until supply and installation of work is complete, tested and accepted by the U.S. Government and the end user in accordance with the contract delivery date (5 calendar weeks from the date of award).

Variations to Specifications:

In the event the vendor(s) cannot exactly match the specifications in this SOW, all variations must be equivalent in performance, durability, and usability as those listed herein.

Installation:

1. Contractor shall provide all items/equipment/software requested under this contract, detailed below under ‘Activity Requirement’ section to prepare for and complete the installation in Tangiers, Morocco.

2. Project implementation meetings, if necessary, shall be coordinated with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of the U.S. Embassy.

3. Installation and implementation dates are to be coordinated in advance with the COR and the End User.

4. Contractor shall communicate names and IDs of all employees conducting installation, testing, and training ahead of time to the COR. The security access to the external partner’s site will be coordinated by the U.S. Embassy.

5. External partner employees shall be trained by the contractor on how to properly use and maintain the equipment.

6. The Contractor shall be responsible for the safe removal and disposal of all packing materials and related waste generated during installation.

Warranty:

The contractor shall provide a two-year warranty, running from date of successful installation of the language software, that includes technical support, updates maintenance, replacement of software to keep the software system operating at peak level and fully functional for its intended purpose. The warranty shall also include the following features during the two-year period:

a) software and scenario upgrades (including new versions) shall be included and provided at no additional cost

b) Contract must provide for bi-annual (twice a year) visits by a certified technician during the two-year period.

c) 24/7 telephone and online support from the Vendor

Special Work Requirements:

The Contractor shall comply with security, and safety issues while providing the work outlined in the Statement of Work at the external partner’s site in Tangier, Morocco.

Activities requirements:

The following activities shall be conducted under the contract.

Activity 1: Procurement and installation of a language software (preferably bilingual English – Arabic content software). The following are the English language software with specifications, content, and practice tools.

a) Bilingual English -Arabic content (preferable if available):

b) Contents meeting needs of users: Specialized content designed to meet needs of language learning.

c) Modern, wireless-compatible, and user friendly: Contents and practice tools which can be easily understood by students.

d) Interactive digital platform: Two-way communication model, encouraging speaking skills and group discussions.

e) Text to speech feature: to help in improving the pronunciation skills of the students.

f) The course structure allows unlimited access: To enable efficient learning, self- learning assignments should be provided

g) Vocabulary – 7000+ vocabulary words to ensure that the language base is strong.

h) Grammar – Practice of various exercises such as the use of synonyms, antonyms, punctuation, one-word substitutions, prepositions, etc. to improve grammar skills.

i) Intonation – to learn the accuracy of the pitch of speaking the English language.

j) Pronunciation – How a word is pronounced? In this tool, students will learn to pronounce a word correctly.

k) Phonetics – To classify the speech of sounds refers to phonetics with videos in digital language lab to learn phonetic sounds.

l) Roleplay and situational dialogue – Various roleplay and situational dialogues to practice and learn.

m) Foreign languages – Students can learn different foreign languages like French and Spanish.

n) Synchronized Assessment – English speaking or listening exams with the whole class simultaneously, including assessment tests to practice speaking and listening skills.

o) Monitoring and evaluation: Teachers can secretly listen to students and provide feedback; students know that a teacher can assess them or monitor them anytime, so they pay attention to the topic and complete their homework.

p) Effective role-playing exercises: Students are grouped into small numbers and asked to converse on certain topics.

q) Level based learning – A language lab system based on three levels of learning: basic, intermediate, and advanced, where one can learn based on their level whether they fall into basic, intermediate, or advanced levels of learning.

r) Soft skills: The soft skills courses would focus on group discussion, interview conversation, personality development, resume writing, career skills, etc.

s) Interactive learning and randomly pair/group students: Learning based on animation and multimedia-based videos that engage students for long periods and help them to grasp and understand the concepts in an efficient manner

t) The software will be installed in all the language center computers including the main multimedia classroom and three (3) other break-out session rooms, which the external partner will create and maintain for the purposes of this contract.

Activity 2: Procurement and installation of at least 30 desktop computers and multimedia accessories. Each station must be equipped with:

a) Microphones: Microphones are used with headsets by teachers and students to communicate the English learning exercises and other activities for effective learning.

b) Intercom switches: Used for two-way communication processes, wherein the teacher pronounces a word and asks students to pronounce in the same accent.

c) Headphones: Headphones are used to listen to interactive video lectures for learning English skills content covered in the digital language lab software.

d) Media player/recorder: Recorder used to record voice so that a teacher can assign students the lessons of reading a passage and ask them to record it.

e) Monitoring switches: Enables the teacher to listen to the voice of the students whether they are pronouncing the word or sentence in an incorrect accent so that she can advise them and correct them.

Vendors may submit quotations for equivalent items, provided those items meet all the salient physical, functional, and performance characteristics specified by this solicitation and as described in FAR 52.211-6.

Only companies or individuals specializing in this field should apply.

It is compulsory for all companies doing business with the U.S. Government valued over $30,000 to register on a website called "SAM – System for Award Management" www.sam.gov. The website compiles standard information such as the company legal name, street address, contact information, and what kind of goods and services it offers. There is no cost involved to register in SAM. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to register their business as soon as possible to avoid any delay in making an award to the successful bidder.

Interested parties should download the RFQ package attached to this advert and provide their quotation to Rabat_Proc@state.gov, referencing PR12403186 in the Subject Line, before 16:00pm local time on July 31, 2024.

Posted on July 17, 2024, for 15 days.

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