Demand Forecasting Software Subscription

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; firm-fixed-price proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number is 70Z03821RS0000001 and is issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). This requirement is being solicited as full and open competition. 

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-06.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG), Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina intends to award one (1) firm fixed price contract on an all or none basis. This requirement will be satisfied using commercial acquisition procedures specified in FAR Part 12 in conjunction with FAR Part 15, and award will be made to the offeror who provides the Best Value to the Government. The Government intends to award without discussions, but reserves the right to hold discussions if determined necessary.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this acquisition is 511210, Software Publishers. The small business size standard is $41.5M.

This requirement is for the procurement of a Demand Forecasting Software Subscription. The Demand Forecasting Software Subscription will be utilized as a tool for Supply Personnel. The tool will assist with the determination of order timing and quantity of assets for inventory based on forecasting calculated by the Demand Forecasting Software.

The Contractor shall provide a Demand Forecasting Software Subscription as described in the Statement of Work. 

The objective of this requirement is to provide the USCG ALC with a disciplined, robust, repeatable approach to Supply Chain Management decision-making, whereby the organization can:

Clearly understand its current supply chain health;

Monitor progress of inventory management;

Perform predictive analysis; and

Identify pertinent inventory management actions (i.e., ordering, rightsizing of inventory, and cradle-to-grave).

This requirement is required to achieve the USCG ALC’s vision of providing USCG customers with optimal parts availability within established cost and timeliness objectives. The requirement is for an existing server-based, commercial-off-the-shelf software subscription, using a pre-defined software platform that describes optimal ordering quantities for selected parts within the USCG inventory.

The host system shall be owned and operated by the Contractor and will interface with the existing USCG data warehouse to gather raw inventory data, process historical demand data, part service life limits and provide recommended buy levels and timing information for use by USCG professionals. The service will include both consumable and repairable (rotable) parts (henceforth ‘service parts’) and will be instrumental in maximizing USCG part availability while reducing both inventory costs and depot maintenance, repair, and overhaul costs.

The following documents are attached:

Attachment 1: Schedule

Attachment 2: Terms and Conditions

Attachment 3: Statement of Work

The resulting contract will consist of one (1) 12-month Base Period (11/1/21 – 10/31/22) and four (4) 12-month Option Periods (11/1/22 – 10/31/26) to be evaluated and exercised annually if in the best interest of the Government.

Inspection and Acceptance: Contracting Officer’s Representative.

FOB Point: Destination.

Place of Performance: Contractor’s Facility

Price must be determined fair and reasonable before contract award. The price will be determined fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii), Proposal Analysis Techniques. 

Closing date/time for submission of proposals is 10/28/21 by 4:00 PM EST.

Proposals shall be submitted electronically to Shauna McLarney, Contract Specialist, at Shauna.C.McLarney@uscg.mil and Ryan Suchy, Contracting Officer, at Ryan.M.Suchy@uscg.mil. Please indicate SOLICITATION NUMBER: 70Z03821RS0000001 in the subject line.

Anticipated award date is on or about 10/30/21.
NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS

United States Coast Guard Ombudsman Program

It is the policy of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to issue solicitations and make contract awards in a fair and timely manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to investigate agency protest issues and resolve them without expensive and time- consuming litigation. OPAP is an independent reviewing authority that is empowered to grant a prevailing protester essentially the same relief as the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Interested parties are encouraged to seek resolution of their concerns within the USCG as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) forum rather than filing a protest with the GAO or some external forum. Interested parties may seek resolution of their concerns informally or opt to file a formal agency protest with the Contracting Officer or Ombudsman.

Informal Forum with the Ombudsman. Interested parties who believe a specific USCG procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer. If the Contracting Officer is unable to satisfy their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance.  Use of an informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a protest with the agency or other forum. In order to ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable).

Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman. Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions. If the protester’s concerns are unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman.  The protester may file a formal agency protest to either the Contracting Officer or as an alternative to that, the Ombudsman under the OPAP program.

Contract award or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless contract award or performance is justified, in writing, for urgent and compelling reasons or is determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government.  The agency’s goal is to resolve protests in less than 35 calendar days from the date of filing. Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.103(d) (2). If the protester fails to submit the required information, resolution of the protest may be delayed or the protest may be dismissed.  To be timely protests must be filed within the period specified in FAR 33.103(e).  Formal protests filed under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to OPAP@uscg.mil and the Contracting Officer or by hand delivery to the Contracting Officer.

Election of Forum. After an interested party protests a Coast Guard procurement to the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman, and while the protest is pending, the protester agrees not to file a protest with the GAO or other external forum. If the protest is filed with an external forum, the agency protest will be dismissed. 

The Ombudsman Hotline telephone number is 202.372.3695.