Furniture contract to Kimball Int’l Brands, Inc.

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), at Patuxent River, MD intends to negotiate and award a sole source, Firm Fixed Price contract for procurement and installation of new systems furniture, desks, chairs and storage solutions to Kimball Int’l Brands, Inc., 1600 Royal Street – Mail Code KO-222, Jasper, IN 47546. This brand name furniture is required to support the implementation of NAVAIR’s hybrid work environment and space utilization program to address space availability issues and to modernize NAVAIR workspaces.

Kimball Int’l Brands, Inc.is the only source available that can provide the necessary furniture components to meet NAVAIR’s requirements.  NAVAIR formally established a “standard kit-of-parts” for its furniture requirements with the completion of remodeling work to portions of Buildings 2855 and 2272. The standard kit-of-parts includes Kimball brand furniture components which include systems furniture (cubicle workstations), case goods (standalone desks and office furniture), and workplace seating that are consistent in form, fit, function and appearance. Since November 2020, Kimball products have been established as NAVAIR standards to provide consistency and compatibility in office and space reconfiguration and renovation projects. New furniture acquired under this contract will be fully integrated with existing furniture that was previously procured for use in Buildings 2272 and 2855. Therefore, it is essential that the new items are fully compatible with the existing Kimball brand components. More specifically, new components will be attached to existing components (panels, enclosures, desks, integrated electrical and data connections). The integrated structural, panel, and electrical components of the systems furniture are Kimball proprietary designs that cannot be used with another manufacturer’s components. Similarly, the desks are motorized sit-to-stand style desks that require electrical power to function. The existing desks are Kimball brand L-shaped desks, comprised of two rectangular sections with independent lift motors that are mechanically fixed to one another and connected by a single power supply. Both portions of the desk rise and fall in unison to maintain a coplanar work surface. These power supplies/lift motors are proprietary to Kimball and cannot be used with another manufacturer’s desk components. As such, the use of the Kimball products in this acquisition is essential to the Government’s requirements, precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

 The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement.

The authority permitting other than full and open competition is Title 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Type of Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."

This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties before award of a contract for the effort mentioned above. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract.