PTAG 611 Forklift CFE intent to sole source kj2.pdf

PTAG Part 6.1.1 Synopsis – Intent to Sole Source

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Administrative Services (OAS), has a requirement for procurement of: One Reach truck One Forklift to replace existing equipment at the USPTO Newington Warehouse which have reached end of service and must be replaced to afford safe transport of items within the warehouse.

The existing equipment utilizes chargers which is rated at 108 amps, and the connectors are standard 36-volt plug-in, any new equipment must be able to utilize the existing and approved charging system at the Newington Warehouse.

For this procurement, the USPTO is exempt from the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) as the subject requirement is being procured using the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(4)(A). The full text is located here:

https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-24316

The USPTO seeks to purchase the identified equipment to ensure the safety and efficiency of the employees within the Newington Warehouse as well as be in compliance of all existing laws to ensure the safety of warehouse employees and visitors to the warehouse. This new equipment will also increase the productivity of the warehouse as there will be less downtime for equipment servicing and repairs.

To make this sole source determination and in accordance with PTAG 6.1.1 (b), the USPTO conducted market research which included an extensive review of SAM.gov, GSA Advantage, FPDS, SBA DSBS as well as targeted web-searches, and reaching out to vendors. The USPTO office of procurement also initially solicited this requirement via a pool of vendors identified by GSA MAS Schedule 333924. This solicitation resulted in quotes from three vendors. Upon review of all submitted items by our evaluation team it was determined that each of the submitted quotes via FSS schedule contained equipment which would require additional costs to retrofit the charging system at the Newington Warehouse. In addition, upon reviewing the equipment on the vendors FSS schedule any equipment provided by their schedule would require additional costs to retrofit the existing charging system at the Newington Warehouse.

Furthermore, during the question-and-answer period of the solicitation it was identified to all vendors the specifications of the existing charging systems and that any quoted equipment must meet these requirements.

It has also been determined that adding a new charging system would result in additional costs to the government to purchase, install and have inspected by local authorities a new charging system. Upon further research the evaluation team determined there are existing US manufactured equipment that can be procured that will meet all of the existing requirements of the equipment capabilities and not increase the costs to the federal government.

We have identified CFE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION as the vendor who can supply the required equipment, to include the ability to provide equipment which is compatible with existing equipment chargers currently in use at the Newington Warehouse. CFE Equipment can supply this equipment within the time required to allow for safe replacement of existing equipment.

As a result, per PTAG 6.1.1 (d) the USPTO intends to negotiate and award a firm fixed price contract or BPA with CFE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION to provide the required Reach truck and Forklift equipment’s which also meet the USPTO Newington Warehouse charging system requirements

This requirement utilizes NAICS code 333924 and has a period of performance that includes a delivery of equipment and required batteries within 2 months from date of award.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals nor will a solicitation be issued to the public. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the following point of contact or alternate point of contact no later than 10:00 AM EST on February 6th, 2025

PTAG SYNOPSIS STATEMENT

The subject requirement is being procured using the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(4)(A) The subsequent solicitation will not be posted on SAM.gov and instead sent directly to the vendor listed above

DISCLAIMER

All information received in response to this Special Notice that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this special notice.