Special Forces RFQ 47QFNA21Q0176.docx

GSA MAS RFQ: 47QFNA21Q0176

Request for Quote (RFQ) Number: 47QFNA21Q0176

Title: United States Special Forces Equipment and Supplies

FAS GSA Region 1 intends to place a competitive order off the GSA MAS Contracts in accordance with (IAW) FAR 8.405-1 Ordering procedures for supplies not requiring a statement of work. The brand name justification is Attachment 1 with a list of brand name specific equipment, in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b) Items particular to one manufacturer. No brand name substitutions are allowed.

Submit quote via GSA eBuy by the date and time stated in the chart below.

Price Quote

Contracting Specialist: Michelle Morelli – michelle.morelli@gsa.gov

Contracting Officer: Siobhan Frongillo – siobhan.frongillo@gsa.gov

1. Background The United States Special Forces units are composed of the nation’s elite war fighters, specializing in counter-terrorism, direct action, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare. Located in Natick, Massachusetts, the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center is responsible for research, development, and management of technologies and equipment used by Special Forces and other soldiers during their missions. This request for quote includes brand name items only for the Special Forces requirements and no substitutions are allowed, per Attachment 1 - Brand Name Limited Source Justification.

2. Requirement This requirement is for the specific equipment and/or supply list, as shown in Attachment 2 - Brand Name Only Equipment List. The Government may issue multiple awards by line item as a result of this solicitation in order to obtain the best value and/or to satisfy the Government’s requirement. Therefore, Offerors may submit a quote for all items referenced or a quote for a partial subset of items in Attachment 2. Offeror shall ensure that it is authorized to sell all items from the list in Attachment 2 that the Offeror quotes on. An Offeror must quote the brand name products listed. Substitutions shall not be accepted. An Offeror who submits a quote with items and it is determined the Offeror is not capable of providing them, the quote will be deemed non responsive.

3. Quote Submission Offerors are encouraged to offer GSA MAS schedule pricing discounts based on estimated quantities for each requested item in Attachment 2. When discounts are offered, the quote must clearly identify both the GSA MAS schedule price and the discounted price for each item. If the Offeror only offers a partial subset of the Attachment 2 items on its GSA MAS Schedule, the Offeror must clearly specify what item(s) are available on its MAS and what item(s) is/are only available via open market. The Government intends to purchase items available on the GSA MAS Schedule contract, but may include open market items in accordance with FAR 8.402(f), if deemed in the best interest of the Government.

Offerors are encouraged to offer delivery dates exceeding their GSA MAS delivery timeframes, but delivery dates must be realistic and confirmed with the manufacturer prior to submitting the delivery schedule for each item in Attachment 2.

All costs associated with the preparation, presentation, and discussion of the Offeror’s quote in response to this RFQ will be at the Offeror’s sole and exclusive expense. The order resulting from this RFQ is subject to the terms and conditions of the GSA MAS Contract at time of order award. In the event of any conflict between the order and the GSA MAS Contract, the order will take precedence.

Electronic submission of the RFQ via the GSA eBUY indicates the Offeror’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the delivery order. Offeror assumes full responsibility for ensuring that its quote is received at the designated GSA eBUY address before the specified date and time.

3.1 Technical Submission

Offeror’s technical quote shall include its GSA MAS Contract Number and address the following items in 3 pages or less.

· Offeror’s statement of capability to provide the brand name only equipment it is quoting from Attachment 2, and an authorized reseller’s agreement from the manufacturer (if applicable).

· Offeror’s plan to deliver the required items and quantities within a specified delivery schedule After Receipt of Order (ARO) for all items quoted. If partial deliveries are quoted, the Offeror shall provide a detailed delivery schedule specifying the CLIN(s) partial shipment quantities and proposed dates for each partial shipment.

· Warranty Information: Warranty information for each item quoted must be provided.

· Offeror’s plan to ensure all tracking information is provided before and upon delivery.

· Offeror’s plan to resolve misplaced/undelivered shipments.

3.2 Pricing Submission

Offeror’s price quote shall be submitted in Microsoft Office Excel format on Attachment 2 provided with this RFQ. Offeror shall populate all cells in Attachment 2 with its quote information. If an item is not quoted, enter “no-bid” in column J. If the item is open market, please provide the pricing per item and write in open market in column K. The Government is requesting price discounts off the Offerors’ GSA MAS schedule pricing. The Firm Fixed Price for each item shall include all shipping costs. The price quote is limited to this single spreadsheet (formulas intact) depicting all values and logic employed to develop the price that is inclusive of all shipping costs. The Government reserves the right to increase or decrease quantities shown in Attachment 2 by -/+ 15% for each line item at time of award and pricing quoted should account for this fluctuation. Not all funding is provided at time of solicitation release and is finalized upon award.

4. Delivery Date The delivery date for all items in attachment 2, should be detailed by the Offeror. The intent of the Government is to receive all items timely upon award. The Offeror will be held accountable to the delivery dates as originally quoted.

Due to ongoing extenuating circumstances, i.e., extended supply chain lead times and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government understands the Offeror may not be able deliver all items within the specified delivery schedule after award. The Government expects notification for all deliveries on-going (daily, weekly) until the delivery schedule has been completed. The Government reserves the right on late deliveries to use this information as past performance for future orders and to seek consideration for late delivery up to 10% of the order.

The Government will consider partial deliveries up to and beyond the delivery schedule requirement. If partial deliveries are quoted, the Offeror shall include a delivery schedule for all partial deliveries in its quote for Government review and consideration before award. Offeror shall include total price of shipping in its firm-fixed price for each item listed in Attachment 2.

5. Delivery Location Articles to be furnished hereunder shall be delivered in accordance with the clause entitled F.O.B Destination (FAR 52.247-34) to the locations provided in the table below. Changes to the delivery address(es) after award, if needed, will be negotiated via a bilateral modification.

Shipping locations are expected to be in the Continental United States, locations will vary: Kodiak, Arkansas; Lexington, Kentucky; Norfolk, Virginia and/or Natick, Massachusetts.

6. Order Pricing All line-item pricing in Attachment 2 shall be priced on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis, inclusive of shipping. Shipping costs will be estimated for shipping to Kodiak, Arkansas; Lexington, Kentucky; Norfolk, Virginia and/or Natick, Massachusetts and exact addresses will be provided upon award.

7. Order Electronic Invoicing Process (December 2014) GSA employs Electronic Commerce in Contracting to the maximum extent practicable. Contractors shall use the GSA Assisted Acquisition Service Business System (ASSIST), at https://portal.fas.gsa.gov to submit invoices. All invoice information, to include attached documents, shall be submitted to ASSIST via the Central Invoice Service (CIS). It is the responsibility of the contractor to gain access to ASSIST upon award.

(1) For each invoice, the contractor shall complete the required fields provided in ASSIST CIS and must attach a copy of the invoice. Assistance in using the GSA ASSIST CIS application and answers to related questions may be obtained via email at aasbs.helpdesk@gsa.gov or by calling (877) 472-4877.

(2) The Invoice Form will include all active items on the contract. The contractor shall enter the invoice amount in dollars and cents for each item.

(3) Additional instructions may be provided by the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative, or the Customer Account Manager, immediately following the award of the contract or during contract administration to further enhance the use of Electronic Commerce in Contracting or to ensure compliance with GSA or GSA Customer Agency requirements or policies.

(4) Invoices shall not be submitted until Government acceptance is complete.

(5) The invoice should be submitted after final receipt and acceptance of all items for the order. Proof of tracking, delivery and acceptance of all items, as signed by the Government personnel will be required before final payment. All documentation must be uploaded into ASSIST with the final invoice.

(6) In accordance with FAR 52.232-1 Payments (Apr 1984). The Government shall pay the Contractor, upon the submission of proper invoices or vouchers, the prices stipulated in this contract for supplies delivered and accepted, less any deductions provided in this contract. Unless otherwise specified in this contract, payment shall be made on partial deliveries accepted by the Government if (a) The amount due on the deliveries warrants it; or (b) The Contractor requests it and the amount due on the deliveries is at least $1,000 or 50 percent of the total contract price. (End of clause)

8. Delivery Order Clauses and Provisions The applicable contract clauses and provisions of this Order are those stated under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and those in this order. The terms and conditions of the contractor’s GSA MAS contract (including all contract modifications) apply to the delivery order issued under the GSA MAS contract as a result of the RFQ. When a lower price has been established, or when the delivery terms, or ordering requirements have been modified by the delivery order, those modified terms will apply to all purchases made pursuant to it and take precedence over the GSA MAS contract. Any unique terms and conditions of this order issued under the contract that are not a part of the applicable MAS GSA contract will govern. In the event of an inconsistency between the terms and conditions of the delivery order and the contractor’s GSA MAS contract terms, other than those identified above, the terms of the GSA MAS contract will take precedence.

8.1 FAR Clauses Incorporated by Reference:

52.232-18 Availability of Funds (Apr 1984)

8.2 DFAR Clauses and Provisions Incorporated by Reference:

252.204-7000 Disclosure of Information. (OCT 2016)

9. Certification for Trade Agreements In accordance with the GSA MAS Schedule, the contractor shall comply with the clause at FAR 52.225-5 Trade agreements. Contractor shall provide certification that all proposed equipment items are compliant with trade agreement laws.

Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a) the following DoD Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS):

· DFAR 252.225-7001 Buy American and Balance of Payments Program (DEC 2017)

· DFAR 252.225-7012 Preference for Certain Domestic Commodities (DEC 2017).

10. Tracking and Delivery Information.

All equipment to be delivered under this order is required to be tracked by the contractor for the Government upon shipment from the manufacturer or vendor to the Government delivery location, as specified in the order. The tracking information shall be provided for all items and referenced by the awarded delivery order number. The tracking information shall include the part number, description, quantity, and estimated arrival date. Upon confirmed tracking delivery receipt, the vendor shall email the Government's contracting officer and project manager (name provided upon award) with the confirmation of delivery as proof of receipt. This confirmation shall be provided before submission of the invoice and must be received before an invoice will be paid.

11. Consideration for late deliveries Late deliveries are not anticipated. The contractor shall immediately address any issues with late deliveries with the Contracting Officer for immediate resolution. The Contracting Officer must be notified, in writing, immediately upon any changes to the awarded delivery date for all items. In all cases, the Contracting Officer must be notified before the established delivery date has passed.

The Government will receive consideration from the contractor for all late deliveries. The firm fixed price for any item delivered late will be decremented as shown in the table below. In the event that the dollar value of the decrement is proportional to any item(s) quoted from Attachment #1, the Government reserves the right to receive additional item(s) at no cost to the Government in lieu of the decremented price for the late item(s).

Late deliveries are not consistent with Special Forces operations. As such, the Government will seek consideration from the contractor, in the amounts up to and including 10% of the order’s value in either additional equipment or a deduction at final invoice, for all deliveries made between one (1) and thirty (30) days (inclusive) after the contract’s delivery date. Delivery delinquency of more than thirty (30) days may result in termination of the order for default.

Additionally, delivery delinquency will be considered in the award evaluation as past performance for future RFQ’s for the same or similar requirements and may result in the Offeror being determined technically unacceptable. It is the intention of the Government to receive all items timely for delivery with a capable vendor.

12. Packaging and Labeling Requirements Only properly packaged and labeled items will be accepted by the Government. Improperly labeled and / or packaged items must be returned to the contractor for proper labeling and / or packaging at the contractor’s expense before the Government will accept and issue payment.

The contractor shall comply with the following packaging and labeling guidelines to ensure acceptance of delivered items:

A. Shipments must arrive with one of the following forms of paperwork:

1. DD Form 1149

2. DD Form 1348

3. DD Form 250

4. WAWF Receiving Report

5. Packing Slip B. The paperwork must have the following information:

1. Contract Number

2. Delivery order and/or Shipment Number

3. Full NSN and/or Manufacturer’s Part Number (must be able to cross reference to NSN in FedLog matching the physical label on the item

4. Quantity Shipped C. Containers should be labeled per the following:

1. All containers (bag, box, etc.) need to have the entire item’s information labeled on the outside of each container. Required information: full NSN or manufacturer’s part number, nomenclature, quantity inside container

2. Any material placed in vendor sealed containers (boxes with vendor tape or heat-sealed bags) will not require inspection as long as the container is labeled with information detailed above. All material that is not vendor sealed must be opened and inspected 100% and any of that material that does not have an identifying NSN, but is identifiable by part number, will require individual NSN labeling by SOFSA at cost to the vendor.

D. Individual labeling:

1. At a minimum, all item labels products for the manufacturers (Crye, Mystery Ranch, Gentex, Invisio Communications Inc., Oakley, Eagle Industries, Tyr Tactical, Tactical Taylor, Blue Force Gear, Lost Arrow – Patagonia, First Spear, The Resource Center, Wild Things LLC, London Bridge Trading Company, Outdoor Research, Atlantic Signal, Smith Sports Optics, Masimo, Blue Sparks Technology, Athena GTX, Nonin, Zephyr, Star Micronics, HP, Garmin, Polar Electro, Philips North America, Butterfly Network, GE) will contain the following product information (as applicable):

2. At a minimum, all item labels for Lost Arrow - Patagonia products will contain the following product information (as applicable):

a. Patagonia

b. Size/Length

c. Item Descriptor

d. Patagonia P/N

e. Berry Compliant

f. Care Instructions

3. Labels shall be applied directly to the surface of the item such that placement is as inconspicuous as possible when properly worn by the individual. Preference is to have item labels sewn to nylon products when practical.

Labels used shall be as permanent as the normal life expectancy of the item and be capable of withstanding the environmental tests and cleaning procedures specified for the item to which it is affixed.

Ideally each item will be physically labeled, but if not feasible, the vendor sealed bag, box, etc., must be labeled.

13. Best Value Basis for Award IAW FAR Part 8.405-1 The Government will award a single or multiple award GSA MAS delivery order(s) resulting from this RFQ to the responsible Offeror(s) whose offer conforms to the terms and conditions in this RFQ and is found to be the best value to the Government in accordance with FAR Part 8.405-3; price and other factors considered. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price.

Offerors should be aware that the Government shall perform a “best value analysis” and the selection for award shall be made to the Offeror(s) whose quote is most advantageous to the Government, taking into consideration the technical factors listed above and the total proposed price for items in attachment 2.

In order to be determined technically acceptable the Offeror must:

1. Provide all of the information required in Paragraph 3.1, Technical Submission.

2. Quote the line-item pricing for the RFQ required Brand Name products from its MAS GSA Contract. Please label an item in the pricing sheet, column K, if an item is offered on open market and not available on the MAS GSA Contract.

3. Quote a delivery schedule for all items capable of being provided in attachment 2. The Offeror providing the most items, with the best delivery timeframes will be considered technically higher than another Offeror providing less items within the same delivery timeframes. Delivery timeframes must be realistic and the Government does not intend to extend delivery dates upon initial award.

4. Have a satisfactory record of timely deliveries for the same or similar items under previous GSA orders. If the Offeror has not previously been awarded orders for similar requirements, these criteria will be not applicable to that Offeror.

Price Evaluation:

Quoted prices will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. Quoted prices must not exceed the Offeror’s MAS schedule pricing. Discounts are requested. The quoted price shall include the cost of shipping in the quoted firm fixed price for each item offered.

If the Government does not receive multiple responsive quotes for all items listed in Attachment 2 to allow for a total bottom line price comparison among technically acceptable Offerors, the Government may evaluate quoted prices on an individual line-item basis and may award multiple orders to Offerors on a line-item basis to fulfill this requirement, in line with the best value analysis.

However, if quotes are received from multiple technically acceptable Offerors that can provide all items on Attachment 2, the Government reserves the right to limit its price evaluation to only these Offerors on a total bottom line price basis for all items combined even if other technically acceptable Offerors may have proposed a subset of individual item(s) at a lower price(s). This determination will be made by the Government to prevent the unnecessary issuance and administrative burden of numerous orders when adequate competition is received from multiple vendors capable of fulfilling the Government’s entire requirement.

Award on Initial Responses The Government reserves the right to consider only those quotes submitted in accordance with all instructions set forth or referenced in this RFQ. Failure to comply with the requirements of laws and regulations set forth in the RFQ may also affect eligibility for award. The Government may reject any or all offers as nonresponsive if such action is determined to be in the Government’s best interest.

The Government anticipates selecting the best-value contractor from initial quotes, without engaging in exchanges with Offerors. Therefore, Offerors are strongly encouraged to submit their best pricing including discounts and their best technical quote in response to this delivery order request. However, the Government reserves the right to engage in exchanges.

Exchanges with Best-Suited Offeror(s) Part 15 procedures are not applicable to FAR Subpart 8.405-1 procurement. Once the Government determines the Offeror(s) to be the best value for a line item(s), the Government reserves the right to communicate with only that Offeror to address any remaining issues, if necessary, and finalize a delivery order with that Offeror. The communication may include non-price and price. If the parties cannot successfully address any remaining issues, as determined pertinent at the sole discretion of the Government, the Government reserves the right to communicate with the next best-suited Offeror based on the original analysis and address any remaining issues. Once the Government has begun communications with the next best-value Offeror, no further communications with the previous Offeror will be entertained until after the delivery order has been awarded. This process shall continue until an agreement is successfully reached and a delivery order is awarded.

14. List of Attachments

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