USPS Request for Information No.4BW-20-A-0009.pdf

NATIONAL PROGRAMS CMT - Windsor

NOTICE TO OFFERORS

USPS Request for Information Number 4BW-20-A-0009 Rapid Deployment of Diesel Generator Sets to Support

USPS Operations.

April 08, 2020

The United States Postal Service is seeking information on the rapid deployment of diesel generator sets to CONUS and OCONUS locations to support United States Postal Service operations.

Attached to this notice is the complete Request for Information for submitting proposals to provide these services.

Please read the Request for Information in its entirety. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail Paul A. Di Grassi, C.P.M. - Purchasing & Supply Management Specialist at paul.a.digrassi@usps.gov.

Please complete the appropriate blocks and sections in the Request for Information and return five (5) paper copies of your proposal to the Facility Services CMC – Windsor, CT at the address below. Please send by way of USPS Priority Mail 2-3 Day Service.

If you are interested in submitting an proposal for this requirement, please complete the following solicitation information:

□ PS Form 8203 – March 2007 – Titled “Order/Solicitation/Offer/Award.” On this form, please complete the following:

» Box No.14 – Supplier Name, Address, Telephone, Fax Number, and e-mail address.

» Box No.16 – Remittance Address, Telephone, Fax Number, and e-mail address.

□ Complete page 9, Duns Number Request, and Tax Identification Number (TIN).

□ Complete pages 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 - Provisions 4-3 Representations and Certifications.

□ Read 1 - Part-1 – Cover Sheet and Schedule – Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7 and 8.

□ Please read all Provisions and Clauses, Pages 11 through and including 27.

□ Please provide responses to Section XVII - Supplier Questions, Questions 1 through and including 16.

6 GRIFFIN ROAD NORTH

WINDSOR, CT 06006-

PHONE: 860-285-7132

FAX: 650.357.6746

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FACILITY SERVICES CMC-WINDSOR

NATIONAL PROGRAMS CMT

6 GRIFFIN ROAD NORTH

WINDSOR, CT 06006-7007

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

4BW-20-A-0009

RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF DIESEL GENERATOR SETS TO SUPPORT UNITED

STATES POSTAL SERVICE OPERATIONS

ISSUE DATE: April 08, 2020 DUE DATE: May 25, 2020

PAUL A. DI GRASSI, A.P.P., C.P.M.

TEL: 860.285.7132

E-MAIL: paul.a.digrassi@usps.gov

INTEGRITY HOTINE MESSAGE - THE US POSTAL SERVICE IS COMMITTED TO INTEGRITY IN ALL DEALINGS WITH THE VENDOR COMMUNITY.

TO THIS END, WE WANT TO KNOW OF ANY IMPOROPER OR ILLEGAL ACTIVINT THAT RELATES TO POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENTS.

PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPECTED WRONG DOING OR MISCONDUST BY ANY PERSON(S) IN THE SOLICITATION, AWARD OR PERFORMANCE OF A POSTAL SERVICE CONTRACT, WHICH YOU BELIEVE, MAY VIOLATE A LAW OR REGULATION. YOU CAN NOTIFY THE POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE EASILY BY CALLING OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER HOT-LINE NUMBER (800.654.8896) OR BY CALLING YOUR NEAREST POSTAL INSPECTOR.

WHILE CALLERS WILL BE ASKED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES SO THAT WE CAN FOLLOW-UP ON THE INFORMATION, ALL INFORMATION

RECEIVED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL

NOTICE: THE HOTLINE SHOULD NOT BE USED TO VOICE COMPLAINTS OR GRIEVANCES. FURTHER, THE HOTLINE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED IN LIEU OF ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR FILING PROTESTS OR CONTRACT CLAIMS. FOR THOSE MATTERS, PLEASE FOLLOWTHE PROCESSES SPELLED OUT IN YOUR CONTRACT DOCUMENTS OR THOSE SET OUT IN THE POSTAL SERVICES SUPPLY PRINCIPALS AND

PRACTICES.

1 - PART 1 - COVER SHEET AND SCHEDULE

I. INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

INVOICE STATEMENT

DUNS NUMBER REQUEST

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

2 - PART 2 - PROVISIONS

PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

PROVISIONS BY FULL TEXT

PROVISION A-2 SOLICITATION FOR INFORMATION OR PLANNING PURPOSES (MARCH 2006)

PROVISION 3-1 NOTICE OF SMALL-, MINORITY-, AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS (FEBRUARY 2018)

PROVISION 4-1 STANDARD SOLICITATION PROVISIONS (SEPTEMBER 2016)

PROVISION 4-2 EVALUATION (OCTOBER 2019)

PROVISION 4-3 REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (OCTOBER 2019)

3 - PART 3 - CONTRACT CLAUSES

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

CLAUSES BY FULL TEXT

CLAUSE B-3 CONTRACT TYPE (MARCH 2006)

CLAUSE 3-1 SMALL-, MINORITY-, AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING

REQUIREMENTS (FEBRUARY 2018)

CLAUSE 3-2 PARTICIPATION OF SMALL-, MINORITY-, AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

(FEBRUARY 2018)

CLAUSE 4-1 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS (JULY 2007)

CLAUSE 4-2 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES, STATUTES

OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS (OCTOBER 2019)

1 - PART 1 - COVER SHEET AND SCHEDULE

I. INTRODUCTION

The United States Postal Service delivers more mail to more addresses in a larger geographical area than any other post in the world. The Postal Service delivers to more than 156 million addresses in every state, city and town in the country. Everyone living in the United States and its territories has access to postal products and services and pays the same for a First-Class postage stamp regardless of their location. The Post Office Department was transformed into the United States Postal Service, an independent establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States. The mission of the Postal Service remained the same, as stated in Title 39 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations:

“The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities.”

The new Postal Service officially began operations on July 1, 1971, when the Postmaster General ceased to be a member of the President’s Cabinet.

II. STAKEHOLDERS

The Postal Service’s - Office of National Preparedness continues to implement, manage, and refine resources pertinent to emergency responses and incident management. An updated Integrated Emergency Management Plan clearly delineates the roles and responsibilities of emergency responders during all phases for all stages of a response and incident types. Staff are also preparing a Pandemic Plan to address preparation, response, and recovery actions related to pandemic events.

Staff coordinated the deployment of emergency equipment and supplies and assisted with damage assessments, recovery, and hazardous material removal. Postal Inspectors and Homeland Security Coordinators participated in responses to events occurring across the country: an Oklahoma blizzard in March; flooding in the Midwest in March and April; flooding in north Florida in April; flooding in Ohio and Pennsylvania in July; and Hurricanes Enrique and Felix in August.

III SCOPE OF WORK

The Postal Service is requesting information on suppliers that can provide rapid deployment of mobile diesel generator sets (GENSETS) to support the United States Postal Service – Office of National Preparedness to protect our mail processing & distribution centers against, respond to, recover from or mitigate against threatened or actual major or catastrophic disasters and emergencies – both natural and man-made, and the possibility of acts of terror. This requirement may also support other functions and departments of the Postal Service as needs arise. The Postal Service has both CONUS and OCONUS Processing & Distribution Centers with its own GENSET fleet to support emergency response operations. This Request for Information seeks suppliers to provide GENSETS by way of a lease or rental when the nearest Postal Service generator fleet has a shortfall in inventory or does not have the generators in size, quantity, or location in its inventory when an emergency response is required.

IV. EQUIPMENT

a.) Supplier(s) will be required to provide industrial GENSETS with all necessary fuel tanks and fuel lines (with all required and proper connections) by way of lease or rental as specified in each Delivery Order. However, the Postal Service reserves the right to purchase land and mobile diesel generator sets, including new, demo, and used equipment. GENSETS for lease/rental should be a minimum of two 1.0MW generators or larger per site requested or the equivalent, with larger or additional units available as needed based on electrical need of each facility. The size of the GENSETS may change as to meet the needs of the Postal Service.

b.) GENSETS shall be rated for prime power. Specific requirements for voltage, phase, and configuration will be identified in each post-award Delivery Order. Generators shall be equipped with fuel tanks allowing continuous operations for at least twenty-four (24) hours at the full load power rating without refueling. GENSETS must also include an hour meter, manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manuals, specification and capacity plates with unique identification numbers.

c.) Additional support equipment by way of a Delivery Order may also be required as specified in each post-award Delivery Order such as cables, connectors, and stand-by personnel.

d.) The Postal Service reserves the right to add larger GENSETS or GENSETS with parallel ability in order to meet emergency power needs.

V. QUALITY

GENSETS furnished under a contract shall be in safe operating condition, and shall comply with all applicable standards and safety regulations including but limited to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Operational condition means the GENSET is performing as intended, all accessories are operating as intended and in all respects the GENSET is performing up to the standards in the manufacturers’ published specifications. All safety devices must be fully functional;

to include all manual and automatic emergency shut-off mechanism. All safety guards, warning labels, and safety related instruction labels shall be properly affixed and present at all times.

VI. CONTRACT MINIMUM|MAXIMUMS

Because of the uncertainty associated with GENSET requirements, the Postal Service is unable to provide forecasted quantities.

VII. EQUIPMENT DELIVERY

a.) The Supplier is responsible for all transportation to and from all Postal Service locations. Delivery shall be to incident areas, directly to the point of need and/or consolidation points in CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. Shipping addresses/destinations shall be provided at the time of order. Delivery is required in CONUS within8 to 12 hours or sooner.

Delivery is required OCONUS (Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands) within 24 to 48 hours or sooner. Private charters will be required to meet delivery times. It is acknowledged that delivery to minor outlying islands and non-United States Territories or commonwealths in the Caribbean and Pacific Islands may require additional delivery time. However, support is for disaster and emergency relief operations and therefore suppliers are expected to deliver in an expedited manner in order to achieve mission successes.

All deliveries are after receipt by the supplier of each individual Delivery Order. Delivery may require additional material handling and unloading equipment in order to facilitate delivery in all types of terrain, during periods of limited visibility, and under all weather conditions. The supplier is responsible for his own investigation of available roads for transportation, load limits for bridges and roads, and other road and weather conditions affecting the transportation of GENSET requirements. The supplier is responsible for complying with all Department of Transportation regulations and all other applicable laws or regulations in CONUS or OCONUS.

b.) The supplier must be able to track the movement of all material from source to final delivery and provide continuing status and GPS information at all times. During the contract’s performance, any delays in delivery are to be reported as soon as they are discovered to the Contracting Officer or USPS ordering personnel.

VIII. INSPECTION & ACCEPTANCE

Postal Service inspection and acceptance shall be at the destination. The Postal Service reserves the right to conduct source inspection if deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative. For all orders, the supplier shall obtain Proof of Delivery (POD) including the time of delivery, complete delivery address, and the name and signature of the person accepting the GENSET(s).Point of Contact will be provided with each Delivery Order or request.

IX. SUPPLIER MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

The supplier will connect all GENSETS, provide fuel, provide daily preventative maintenance and perform return to storage maintenance at the end of service prior to supplier pick-up. Daily preventative maintenance shall include checking working hour meter for operation, coolant level, oil level, fuel level and filling all fluid to proper levels and conducting a visual inspection of all external components (connectors, hoses, belts, cable, etc.) for serviceability. The supplier shall service each generator every 240 operational hours or at the manufacturer’s published recommended interval.

Services shall include oil and filters (s) oil, air, and fuel). All other fluids shall be maintained in accordance with the GENSET manufacturer’s recommendation.

X. SUPPLIER OPERATIONS

The supplier shall be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, including weekends and all holidays – both federal and local to respond to Task or verbal orders and other communications relating to a potential operation or active Delivery Order. The contractor shall be available by mobile and hardwired phone and e-mail. A company representative with the authority to make decisions and deploy equipment on behalf of the company shall respond within thirty (30) minutes of receiving a written or verbal Delivery Order notification. The Postal Service reserves the right to direct task and verbal orders to a particular source under urgent circumstances.

XI. PAYMENT RENTAL/LEASE

Rent shall accrue from the date the Generator Set is delivered to the Postal Service and shall continue until the GENSET is required to be picked up by the supplier; a maximum of 72 hours after notification by the Contracting Officer to demobilize. Rent shall only accrue for the period of time that the GENSET is in possession of the Postal Service; a maximum of 72 hours after notification by the Contracting Officer to demobilize. Depending on the rental term, supplier may submit invoices weekly or every 30 days.

XII: TITLE

During the Lease Term, the GENSET shall always remain the property of the contractor. The Postal Service shall have no right or interest in the GENSET except as provided in this leasing agreement and shall hold the GENSET subject and subordinate to the rights of the supplier.

XIII. RISK OF LOSS OR DAMAGE

The Postal Service is relieved from all risk of loss or damage to the GENSET during the entire time the GENSET is in possession of the Postal Service, except when loss or damage is due to the fault or negligence of the Postal Service.

XIV. BREAKDOWNS-LEASE/RENTAL

Suppliers that provide rental units that breakdown while installed shall begin repairs within 4 hours of notification. If the unit cannot be repaired on site, a replacement generator shall be delivered to the site within 24 to 48 hours in CONUS and 48 to 72 hours OCONUS at no additional cost to the Postal Service. If the same size unit is not readily available a larger size unit can be utilized to meet the required loads. Escorts may be provided by the Postal Service if unit is in a curfew or restricted area. It is acknowledged that GENSETS delivered to minor outlying islands and non-United States Territories or commonwealths in the Caribbean and Pacific Islands may require additional time.

However, support is for disaster and emergency relief operations and therefore Contractors are expected to respond in an expedited manner in order to achieve mission success. Any delays in support are to be reported as soon as they are discovered to the Contracting Officer. Upon notification of a breakdown, rent shall not accrue until the Generator Set is replaced or repaired.

Weekly or Monthly rental prices shall be pro-rated accordingly.

XV. DEMOBILIZATION

Once commercial power is restored and a time is known for ability to make reconnection, supplier will have 4 to 8 hours to coordinate with postal operations and formulate a disconnection plan. Within 48 to 72 hours of disconnection, the supplier shall load and remove the rental/lease GENSET for shipment back to their facilities. If the lease/rental generator set(s) were moved to a new destination by the Postal Service, the Postal Service will issue a delivery order modification to adjust for changes in the cost of shipping back to the supplier’s facilities. The GENSET shall be in the same condition as when delivered, with the exception of ordinary wear and tear. The contractor shall conduct a timely inspection of the returned products and within thirty (30) days of the return, assert a claim if the condition of the GENSET exhibits signs of wear or tear that exceeds the wear and tear encountered in the normal course of operation. GENSETS not removed by the supplier within thirty (30) days of the date of notification by the Postal Service shall be considered as abandoned and subject to such disposal as the Postal Service may deem appropriate.

XVI: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The Postal Service reserves the right to review all or none of the submissions received. There is no commitment by the Postal Service to make any contract awards, nor will the Postal Service be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondents in responding to this RFI.

Responses to this RFI do not bind the Postal Service to any further actions related to this matter.

The Postal Service may cancel this RFI with or without the substitution of another RFI and reserves the right to revise, amend, or withdraw this RFI at any time to protect its interest.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). Responses to this RFI are not offers and will not be accepted by the Postal Service to form an agreement or binding contract of any nature. Any information obtained as a result of this RFI is intended to be used by the Postal Service on a non-attribution basis for planning and strategy development; this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts and your response to this notice will be treated as information only. Information received may be used to assist the Postal Service in planning the scope of future mobile diesel gensets deployment efforts and may be shared with other federal agencies.

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

b. Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

c. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of gathering information on mobile diesel genset deployment.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: Because information received in response to this RFI may be used to structure future programs and FOAs or otherwise be made available to the public, respondents are strongly advised to NOT include any information in their responses that might be considered business sensitive, proprietary or otherwise confidential. The Postal Service does not guarantee confidentiality of the information received. Although the Postal Service asks that no confidential business information be submitted, it is the Postal Service’s practice to protect the provided information and make it available on a need-to-know basis only to Postal Service personnel and contractors who will be using this information on behalf of the Postal Service. However, the Postal Service can guarantee that information will be free from access by others, during transmission or while stored in its system or otherwise in the Postal Service’s custody or control or in the custody or control of another departments within the Postal Service or their contractors, and the Postal Service and its contractors will have no liability whatsoever for disclosure of such information.

If a respondent chooses to submit business sensitive, proprietary or otherwise confidential information, it must be clearly and conspicuously marked as such in the response. Responses containing confidential, proprietary or privileged information must be conspicuously marked as described below. Failure to comply with these marking requirements may result in the disclosure of the unmarked information under the Freedom of Information Act or otherwise. The Postal Service is not liable for the disclosure or use of unmarked information, and may use or disclose such information for any purpose.

If your response contains confidential, proprietary or privileged information, you must include a cover sheet with your response marked as follows identifying the specific pages containing the confidential, proprietary or privileged information:

Notice of Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data:

Pages [list applicable pages by number] of this response may contain confidential, proprietary or privileged information that is exempt from public disclosure. Such information may be used or disclosed only for the purposes described in this RFI. The Postal Service may use or disclose any information that is not appropriately marked or otherwise restricted, regardless of source.

In addition, (1) the header and footer of every page that contains confidential, proprietary or privileged information must be marked as follows: “Contains Confidential, Proprietary or Privileged Information Exempt from Public Disclosure” and (2) every line and paragraph containing proprietary, privileged or trade secret information must be clearly marked with double brackets or highlighting.

Postal Service employees given access to responses will be subject to an appropriate obligation of confidentiality prior to being given the access. Submissions may be reviewed by support contractors and private consultants.

XVII: SUPPLIER QUESTIONS

Respondents must provide compelling responses to the questions in Section XVII-Supplier Questionnaire and address your company’s capabilities to the sections listed in the Cover Sheet & Schedule.

1. Does your company have generator availability and provide services throughout the CONUS and

OCONUS?

2. What is the size and number of mobile diesel gensets in your rental fleet

3. Does your company currently have nationwide contracts with companies and/or other government agencies to provide emergency generator power?

a.) If so, do you have a Standard Operating Procedures or Statement of Work, or sample contract that you could share?

b.) if not, could you provide gensets on a nationwide basis to include major events such as hurricanes?

4. When providing GENSETS, would your company set-aside units for the Postal Service or are they deployed on a first come-first served basis between all your customers during large events like hurricanes?

5. Have you ever had the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or any other federal agency seize your equipment that was promised to another customer?

6. What is your delivery time frame to most remote areas?

7. What is your delivery time frame to major metropolitan areas?

8. Can you provide a map indicating zones with expected delivery times?

9. Do you offer fueling once on site and in service?

10. Do you provide connection services?

11. Do you provide all supplies needed (cables, bolts, etc.) to make connection?

12. Do you provide GENSET technicians that stay with the site 24/7 to run and monitor the GENSET units?

13. Do you have mobile distribution centers to allow single generator to multiple separate switchgear/sub-stations?

14. Does your company coordinate with the local utility if you connect the GENSET?

15. Would you have a dedicated account representative for Postal Service deployment needs or would everything be coordinated through a 24/7 emergency number or service.

16. Has your company run out of GENSETs due to demand from a large event?

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the RFI numbered and dated as follows:

Amendment Number Date Amendment Number Date

INVOICE STATEMENT

All invoices MUST reference the Award Number and corresponding line item number listed on this purchase document. Invoices not in compliance may result in delayed payment.

Invoices that do not include the Supplier's Name as stated on the original award document or latest modification will be returned.

All payments for this award and related orders will be transmitted or sent to the Remittance Address on the Award document or latest modification, regardless of any Remittance Address on the invoice. The Supplier must notify the Contracting Officer of any change to the Supplier name and/or Remittance Address.

DUNS NUMBER REQUEST

As the United States Postal Service continues to automate its cradle to grave contracting process, there is a need to have a unique way of identifying the Supplier for communication purposes that excludes the Supplier’s Tax Identification Number and easily known by the Supplier’s personnel.

Therefore, to effectively establish this communication link, USPS’ Contracting and Authoring Management System (CAMS) must have the Supplier's Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in the Supplier's record within CAMS.

Please furnish the below information to the Buyer/Contracting Officer of this document.

DUNS #: ____________________

TIN #, associated to the above DUNS #: __________________________

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

To the extent that the information you provide is about an individual, the Privacy Act will apply. Collection of that information is authorized by 39 USC § 401. As a routine use, the information may be disclosed to an appropriate government agency, domestic or foreign, for law enforcement purposes; where pertinent, in a legal proceeding to which the USPS is a party or has an interest; to a government agency in order to obtain information relevant to a USPS decision concerning employment, security clearances, contracts, licenses, grants, permits, or other benefits;

to a government agency upon its request when relevant to its decision concerning employment, security clearances, security, or suitability investigations, contracts, licenses, grants, or other benefits; to a congressional office at your request; to an expert, consultant, or other person under contract with the USPS to fulfill an agency function; to the Federal Records Center for storage; to the Office of Management and Budget for review of private relief legislation; to an independent certified public accountant during an official audit of USPS finances; to an investigator, administrative judge or complaints examiner appointed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for investigation of a formal EEO complaint under 29 CFR 1614; to the Merit Systems Protection Board or Office of Special Counsel for proceedings or investigations involving personnel practices and other matters within their jurisdiction; to a labor organization as required by the National Labor Relations Act; to a federal, state or local agency, financial institution or other appropriate entity for the purpose of verifying an individual's or entity's eligibility or suitability for engaging in a transaction. In addition, the following disclosures may be made to any person: a solicitation mailing list when a purchase is highly competitive and competitions will not be harmed by release, or to provide an opportunity for potential subcontractors seeking business; a list of lessors of real or personal property to the Postal Service; a list of entities with whom the Postal Service transacts for goods or services, interests in real property, construction, financial instruments, or intellectual property; and the identity of the successful offeror. Completion of this form is voluntary; however, if this information is not provided, we will be unable to process your request.

2 - PART 2 - PROVISIONS

PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The above provisions are incorporated by reference as if set forth in full text. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. The text of these provisions may be accessed electronically at this address: http://about.usps.com/manuals/spp/spp.pdf or, upon request, will be provided by the contracting officer.

PROVISIONS BY FULL TEXT

PROVISION A-2 SOLICITATION FOR INFORMATION OR PLANNING PURPOSES (MARCH 2006)

a. The Postal Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to pay for the information solicited.

b. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of rapid deployment of mobile diesel generators to various CONUS and OCONUS Postal Service facilities.

PROVISION 3-1 NOTICE OF SMALL-, MINORITY-, AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS (FEBRUARY 2018)

When the contract value is estimated at $1 million or more, all offerors, except small businesses, must submit with their proposals the contract-specific subcontracting plan required by Clause 3-1:

Small-, Minority-, and Woman-Owned Business Subcontracting Requirements. Generally, this plan must be agreed to by both the supplier and the Postal Service before award of the contract. Lack of submittal of a contract-specific subcontracting plan may make the offeror's proposal unacceptable for award.

All offerors must be capable of reporting as required by Clause 3-2: Participation of Small-, Minority- , and Woman-Owned Businesses. Reporting is required when the contract value is estimated at $500,000 or more.

PROVISION 4-1 STANDARD SOLICITATION PROVISIONS (SEPTEMBER 2016)

a. Submission of Offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this RFI at or before the exact time specified on this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on PS Form 8203, Order/ Solicitation/Offer/Award, letterhead stationary, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation.

As a minimum offers must show:

(1) Request for Information Number; 4BW-20-A-0009.

(2) The name, address and telephone number of the offeror;

(3) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(4) Terms of any expressed warranty;

(5) Price and any discount terms;

(6) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(7) A completed copy of the representations and certifications;

(8) Acknowledgment of Request for Information Amendments;

(9) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items, and other references (including contract numbers, point of contact, with telephone numbers, and other relevant information); and

(10) If the offer is not submitted on PS Form 8203, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms and conditions and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation, may be excluded from consideration.

b. Business Disagreements. Business disagreements may be lodged with the Supplier Disagreement Resolution (SDR) Official if the supplier and the contracting officer have failed to resolve the disagreement as described in 39 CFR Section 601. The SDR Official will consider the disagreement only if it is lodged in accordance with the time limits and procedures described in 39 CFR Section

601. The SDR Official’s decisions are available for review at www.usps.com.

c. Product Samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples must be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, these samples must be submitted at no expense to the Postal Service and returned at the sender's request and expense, unless they are destroyed during pre-award testing.

d. Multiple Offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

e. Late Offers. Offers or modifications of offers received at the address specified for the receipt of offers after the exact time specified for receipt of offers will not be considered unless determined to be in the best interests of the Postal Service.

f. Type of Contract. The Postal Service plans to award a no contract under this solicitation, and all proposals must be submitted on this basis. Alternate proposals based on other contract types will be considered. This is a Request for Information Only.

g. Contract Award. The Postal Service may evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. Discussions may be conducted if the Postal Service determines they are necessary. The Postal Service may reject any or all offers if such action is in the best interest of the Postal Service; accept other than the lowest offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

h. Multiple Awards. The Postal Service may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Postal Service reserves the right to make an award on any items for quantity less than the quantities offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

I. Incorporation by Reference. Wherever in this solicitation or contract a standard provision or clause is incorporated by reference, the incorporated term is identified by its title, the provision or clause number assigned to it, and its date. The text of incorporated terms may be found at http://about.usps.com/manuals/spp/spp.pdf.

If checked, the following provision is incorporated in this solicitation by reference: (Contracting officer will check as appropriate.)

[X] Provision 3-1: Notice of Small-, Minority-, and Woman-owned Business Subcontracting Requirements (February 2018).

PROVISION 4-2 EVALUATION (OCTOBER 2019)

a. General. The Postal Service will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation is deemed to offer the Postal Service the best value, price and other factors, as specified, considered. The following evaluation factors will be used in the evaluation of offers:

This is a Request for Information Only.

b. Options. The Postal Service will not evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Postal Service may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Postal Service to exercise the option(s).

c. Notice of Award. The Postal Service may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are discussions after its receipt, before an offer's specified expiration time, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, will result in a binding contract without further action by either party.

PROVISION 4-3 REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (OCTOBER 2019)

Type of Business Organization. The offeror, by checking the applicable blocks, represents that it:

(1) Operates as:

[_] a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of ____________; or country of _______________ if incorporated in a country other than the United States of America.

[_] an individual;

[_] a partnership;

[_] a joint venture;

[_] a limited liability company;

[_] a nonprofit organization; or

[_] an educational institution; and

(2) Is (check all that apply)

[_] a small business concern;

[_] a minority business (indicate minority below):

[_] Black American

[_] Hispanic American

[_] Native American

[_] Asian American:

[_] a woman-owned business; or

[_] none of the above entities.

(a) A small business concern for the purposes of Postal Service purchasing means a business, including an affiliate, that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in producing or performing the supplies or services being purchased, and has no more than 500 employees, unless a different size standard has been established by the Small Business Administration (see 13 CFR 121, particularly for different size standards for airline, railroad, and construction companies). For subcontracts of $50,000 or less, a subcontractor having no more than 500 employees qualifies as a small business without regard to other factors.

(b) Minority Business. A minority business is a concern that is at least 51 percent owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by, one or more members of a socially and economically disadvantaged minority group, namely U.S. citizens who are Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, or Asian Americans. (Native Americans are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians. Asian Americans are U.S. citizens whose origins are Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Samoan, Laotian, Kampuchean (Cambodian), Taiwanese, in the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands or in the Indian subcontinent.)

(c) Woman-owned Business. A woman-owned business is a concern at least 51 percent of which is owned by a woman (or women) who is a U.S. citizen, controls the firm by exercising the power to make policy decisions, and operates the business by being actively involved in day-to- day management.

(d) Educational or Other Nonprofit Organization. Any corporation, foundation, trust, or other institution operated for scientific or educational purposes, not organized for profit, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the profits of any private shareholder or individual.

(3) Is (check all that apply)

[_] a Postal Service employee or a business organization substantially owned or controlled by such an individual.

[_] a spouse of a Postal Service employee or a business organization substantially owned or controlled by such an individual.

[_] another family member of a Postal Service employee or a business organization substantially owned or controlled by such an individual.

[_] an individual residing in the same household as a Postal Service employee or a business organization substantially owned or controlled by such an individual.

(Note: Offers from any of the sources listed in subparagraph a.3, may not be considered for an award pending review and recommendation by the Postal Service Ethics Office.)

b. Parent Company and Taxpayer Identification Number

(1) A parent company is one that owns or controls the basic business polices of an offeror. To own means to own more than 50 percent of the voting rights in the offeror. To control means to be able to formulate, determine, or veto basic business policy decisions of the offeror. A parent company need not own the offeror to control it; it may exercise control through the use of dominant minority voting rights, proxy voting, contractual arrangements, or otherwise.

(2) Enter the offeror's U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in the space provided. The TIN is the offeror's Social Security number or other Employee Identification Number (EIN) used on the offeror's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, U.S. Treasury Form 941, or as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. Offeror's TIN: ______________

(3) IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. You must complete a copy of IRS Form W-9 and attach it to this certification.

(4) Check this block if the offeror is owned or controlled by a parent company: �

(5) If the block above is checked, provide the following information about the parent company:

Parent Company's Name: _____________________________

Parent Company's Main Office: _________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

No. and Street: ______________________________________

City: _______________State: _______ ZIP Code: __________

Parent Company's TIN: _______________________________

(6) If the offeror is a member of an affiliated group that files its federal income tax return on a consolidated basis (whether or not the offeror is owned or controlled by a parent company, as provided above) provide the name and TIN of the common parent of the affiliated group:

Name of Common Parent: ____________________________

Common Parent's TIN: _______________________________

c. Certificate of Independent Price Determination

(1) By submitting this proposal, the offeror certifies, and in the case of a joint proposal each party to it certifies as to its own organization, that in connection with this solicitation:

(a) The prices proposed have been arrived at independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to the prices with any other offeror or with any competitor;

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, the prices proposed have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror before award of a contract, directly or indirectly to any other offeror or to any competitor; and

(c) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other person or firm to submit or not submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition.

(2) Each person signing this proposal certifies that:

(a) He or she is the person in the offeror's organization responsible for the decision as to the prices being offered herein and that he or she has not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraph a above; or

(b) He or she is not the person in the offeror's organization responsible for the decision as to the prices being offered but that he or she has been authorized in writing to act as agent for the persons responsible in certifying that they have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraph a above, and as their agent does hereby so certify; and he or she has not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraph a above.

(3) Modification or deletion of any provision in this certificate may result in the disregarding of the proposal as unacceptable. Any modification or deletion should be accompanied by a signed statement explaining the reasons and describing in detail any disclosure or communication.

d. Certification of Non-segregated Facilities

(1) By submitting this proposal, the offeror certifies that it does not and will not maintain or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its employees to perform services at any location under its control where segregated facilities are maintained. The offeror agrees that a breach of this certification is a violation of Clause 9-7: Equal Opportunity in this contract.

(2) As used in this certification, segregated facilities means any waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms or wash rooms, restaurants or other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms or other storage or dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or entertainment area, transportation, or housing facilities provided for employees that are segregated by explicit directive or are in fact segregated on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin, because of habit, local custom, or otherwise.

(3) The offeror further agrees that (unless it has obtained identical certifications from proposed subcontractors for specific time periods) it will obtain identical certifications from proposed subcontractors before awarding subcontracts exceeding $10,000 that are not exempt from the provisions of Clause 9-7: Equal Opportunity; that it will retain these certifications in its files; and that it will forward the following notice to these proposed subcontractors (except when they have submitted identical certifications for specific time periods):

Notice: A certification of non-segregated facilities must be submitted before the award of a subcontract exceeding $10,000 that is not exempt from Clause 9-7: Equal Opportunity. The certification may be submitted either for each subcontract or for all subcontracts during a period (quarterly, semiannually, or annually).

e. Certification Regarding Debarment, Proposed Debarment, and Other Matters

(This certification must be completed with respect to any offer with a value of $100,000 or more.)

(1) The offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that it or any of its principals:

(a) Are ___ are not ___ presently debarred or proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any Federal, state, or local agency;

(b) Have ___ have not ___, within the 3-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, or receiving stolen property; and

(c) Are ___ are not ___ presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of any of the offenses enumerated in subparagraph (b) above.

(2) The offeror has ____ has not ____, within a 3-year period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any Federal, state, or local agency.

(3) "Principals," for the purposes of this certification, means officers, directors, owners, partners, and other persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager, plant manager, head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).

(4) The offeror must provide immediate written notice to the contracting officer if, at any time prior to contract award, the offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

(5) A certification that any of the items in e.1 and e.2 of this provision exists will not necessarily result in withholding of an award under this solicitation. However, the certification will be considered as part of the evaluation of the offeror's capability (see section 2-26.4.2, Supplier Capability the Postal Service's Supplying Principles and Practices). The offeror’s failure to furnish a certification or provide additional information requested by the contracting officer will affect the capability evaluation.

(6) Nothing contained in the foregoing may be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by e.1 and e.2 of this provision.

The knowledge and information of an offeror is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

(7) This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under Section 1001, Title 18 U.S.C.

(8) The certification in e.1 and e.2 of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making the award. If it is later determined that the offeror knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Postal Service, the contracting officer may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

f. Incorporation by Reference. Wherever in this solicitation or contract a standard provision or clause is incorporated by reference, the incorporated term is identified by its title, its provision or clause number assigned to it, and its date. The text of incorporated terms may be found at http://about.usps.com/manuals/pm/welcome.htm. If checked, the following provision(s) is incorporated in this solicitation by reference (Contracting officer will check as appropriate):

[ ] Provision 9-1: Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Program.

[ ] Provision 9-2: Pre-award Equal Opportunity Compliance Review.

[ ] Provision 9-3: Notice of Requirements for Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action.

3 - PART 3 - CONTRACT CLAUSES

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

CLAUSE B-18 SUBCONTRACTS (MARCH 2006)

The above clauses are incorporated by reference as if set forth in full text. The text of these clauses may be accessed electronically at this address: http://about.usps.com/manuals/spp/spp.pdf or, upon request, will be provided by the contracting officer.

CLAUSES BY FULL TEXT

CLAUSE B-3 CONTRACT TYPE (MARCH 2006)

This is a Request for Information only - A contract will not be made from this RFI.

CLAUSE 3-1 SMALL-, MINORITY-, AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING

REQUIREMENTS (FEBRUARY 2018)

a. All suppliers, except small businesses, must have an approved subcontracting plan for contracts estimated or valued at $1 million or more at time of award. A subcontracting plan is also required when contracts awarded at less than $1 million reach or exceed the $1 million threshold during contract performance.