Metal Material Testing and Characterization for ERDC GSL

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice for metal material testing and characterization to support both the development and validation models used in weaponeering codes. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) in Vicksburg, MS intends to award multiple, up to four, Master Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) for metal material testing and characterization in Vicksburg, MS. A BPA is a simplified method of filing anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing “charge accounts” with qualified sources of supply. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.303, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), the Contractor agrees to the identified terms and conditions for a BPA to provide the required soil materials. 

The Government anticipates this solicitation will result in multiple BPA awards, up to four. Ordering shall be for a period of five years or a total combined amount of $499,825.00

 in capacity is utilized unless earlier termination.  The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, and other items and services necessary to produce the required testing as defined in the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS).

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-05. This procurement is being competed as 100% Small Business set aside utilizing the North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) 541380, Testing Laboratories and Services, with a size standard $19,000,000.00. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with regulations at FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR 13.303, Blanket Purchase Agreements.

The Master BPA does not obligate any funds.  The government shall be obligated only to the extent of authorized orders actually utilized via a properly executed BPA Call.  The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that the total volume of purchases through this agreement will be $499,825.00 over a 5-year period.  Individual purchases shall not exceed $250,000.00. There shall be no guaranteed minimum or maximum order limits established and no guaranteed dollar amount of expenditures with the vendor. Actual purchases will be made via properly executed BPA Calls.  All BPA Calls will be initiated at the time the testing is needed by a warranted Contracting Officer, a warranted Micro-purchase Contracting Officer, or a BPA Ordering Authorized Individual. 

An example BPA Call is also attached to this solicitation. Offerors shall provide a quote for the example BPA Call. Quote shall include all labor, materials, and shipping FOB destination.

In accordance with FAR 52.212-2 - Evaluation -- Commercial Items, the Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government.  The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1) Technical – Providing items that at least meet the minimum specifications as defined in the PWS

2) Price - Price will be evaluated to determine the four lowest quotes.

Basis of Award: Award(s) will be made to the four offerors that are technically acceptable and provide the lowest quote for the example provided. Failure to submit sufficient information for the Government to determine technical capability and quoted price may be cause for rejection of your quote. The Government intends to evaluate offers and award up to four agreements without discussions with offerors. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.  

Pursuant to FAR 52.204-7(b), System for Award Management, offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time an offer or quotation is submitted and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. If an offeror is not registered in SAM at the time of the offer, its offer will not be considered for award. You may register electronically at http://www.sam.gov.

Before a complete evaluation of your quote can be made the Offeror must provide "Offeror Representations and Certifications" for their company. The preferred method for providing Reps & Certs is to include this information in your SAM registration. Offerors who do not include their Reps & Certs in their SAM registration must print, complete, and include FAR Clause 52.212-3 Alt I, Offeror Representations and Certifications - with their quote package.

It will be the offeror’s responsibility to frequently check the www.Sam.gov website where the synopsis/solicitation is to be posted for any amendments/changes to the RFQ and closing date.  Any offers submitted after the response date and time will be considered late and will not be evaluated. 

The following FAR clauses and provisions will apply to this acquisition:

52.203-3 Gratuities

52.203-5 - Covenant Against Contingent Fees

52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements

52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper

52.204-7 System for Award Management

52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance

52.204-23 Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities

52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interests when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations

52.211-17  - Delivery of Excess Quantities

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items

52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items

52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside

52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation

52.222-3 Convict Labor

52.222-19 Child Labor Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies

52.222-20 - Contracts for Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment Exceeding $15,000 

52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities

52-222-26 Equal Opportunity

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans

52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities

52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons

52.223-10 Waste Reduction Program

52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving

52.223-22 Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals-Representation

52.225-25  - Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran-- Representation and Certifications. 

52.232-1 – Payments

52.232-8 - Discounts For Prompt Payment

52.232-34 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Other than System for Award Management

52.232-39  - Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

52.233- 3 Protest After Award

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim

52.243-1 - Changes--Fixed Price 

52.246-2 - Inspection Of Supplies--Fixed Price

52.247-34 - F.O.B. Destination 

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

The full text of these FAR clauses can be accessed electronically at website:

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

The following DFARS Clauses and Provisions may be applicable to this acquisition:

252.203-7000 Requirement Relating to Compensation of Former DoD officials

252.203-7002 Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights

252.203-7005 Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD officials

252.211-7003 Item Unique Identification and Valuation

252.204-7003 Control Of Government Personnel Work Product

252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports

252.232-7010 Levies on Contract Payments

252.243-7001 Pricing Of Contract Modifications

The full text of these DFARS clauses can be accessed electronically at website:

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars

Responses should be submitted via email to Angie Stokes at angela.m.stokes@usace.army.mil no later than 12:00pm Central Standard Time on Friday, 29 December 2023.