MH65 spare parts

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 and part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.  Solicitation number 70Z03824QB0000009 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).  This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-05 Effective September 22, 2023.

The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 336413. The small business size standard is 1,250 employees. This is a restricted requirement. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. 

It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price purchase order will be awarded on a brand name basis as a result of this synopsis/solicitation. Vendors quoting on this solicitation must be certified under the FAA AC00-56 program. The following is a link to the FAA-AC00-56 Advisory Circular website:  http://www.aviationsuppliers.org/FAA-AC00-56. All parts must have clear traceability to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s), Airbus Helicopters France (Cage Code F0210) orSafran Electrical & Power Chatou SAS (Cage Code F0296). Traceability means a clear, complete, documented, and auditable paper trail which traces each step from an OEM or distributor to its current location. 

See attached documents titled:

“Requirements – 70Z03824QB0000009,”

“Terms and Conditions – 70Z03824QB0000009”, and

“Redacted J and A – 70Z03824QB0000009”

Concerns having the expertise and required capabilities to provide these items are invited to submit offers in accordance with the requirements stipulated in this solicitation.  Parts must be approved in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines to ensure safety of our aircrew.  The Government shall ensure all procurements are awarded without jeopardizing quality or safety of flight.  Only the use of airworthy commercial specifications or standard military specifications/military standard parts will be utilized and approved from this solicitation. 

No alternate part numbers will be accepted. Parts must be approved in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines to ensure safety of our aircrew. Best value to the Government is always the goal, but without jeopardizing quality or safety of flight. Only the use of airworthy commercial specifications or standard military specifications/military standard parts will be utilized and approved from this solicitation.

Newly manufactured commercial items will only be procured from sources able to provide a certificate of conformance and traceability to the OEM.  The Federal Aviation Regulation, Part 21, outlines certification procedures. 

The contractor shall furnish a COC in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.246-15. COC must be submitted in the format specified in the clause. All parts shall be NEW approved parts.

There are multiple OEMs associated with the parts contained within this solicitation. Offerors must be able to provide necessary certification including traceability to the manufacturer, manufacturer's COC and its own COC to ensure parts are in airworthy condition, suitable for installation on USCG aircraft. Prospective vendors who are not the OEM or an authorized distributor must provide traceability for the offered product back to the manufacturer or authorized distributor.  Traceability means a clear, complete, documented, and auditable paper trail which traces each step from an OEM or distributor to its current location. 

NOTE: NO DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS OR SCHEMATICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS AGENCY.

Closing date and time for receipt of offers is 25 October 2023 at 1:00pm EST.  Quotes and questions shall be submitted by email to elaina.m.price@uscg.mil.  Please indicate solicitation 70Z03824QB0000009 in the subject line.  Phone call quotes WILL NOT be accepted.

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.