Notice of intent to award a bridge action for SAF/FM Quality Assurance Program

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract modification under statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 3572 forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a).

SAF/FMFCQ has identified a need to award a sole source, fixed price modification to contract FA7014-21-C-0039 to Assent Advisory Group, LLC., (CAGE 81BX4), for a 4-month extension of services.  During this time, the contractor will continue to provide contract support to meet all SAF/FMFCQ Quality Assurance Program requirements and sustainment/enhancements for the Quality Assurance Review Tool (QART), as they are identified through the CCB and other Air Force Requirements for the Department of the Air Force’s Quality Assurance (QA) Program.

This bridge action is needed to ensure the continued support of the QA Program while accomplishing a competitive source selection for the follow-on contract.   Services performed under this sole source action will include continuation of the non-personal services covered under the current contract (FA7014-21-C-0039) to provide QA support services across 300 locations as defined in the relevant performance work statement (PWS), Att_1_QA Program Support Performance Work Statement as of 15 Jul 2021. 

It is critical for the Department of the Air Force’s Quality Assurance Program to maintain continued quality assurance contractor support with no gap in service.  For this reason, schedule (the ability to be fully operational on 31 March 2024) is considered a material element of utmost importance in this acquisition.  No other contractor is equipped to assemble a specialized team to provide support services for the QA Program requirements timely to meet this need, considering administrative processes and transition requirements to ensure this occurs. Award to any vendor other than the current contractor would result in a significant break in service and unacceptable delays in fulling the agency’s needs and requirements.  Award of this limited bridge action will ensure ample time for the Government team to conduct a competitive source selection and begin services of the follow-on contract.

This is not a request for competitive quotes.  The Government intends to solicit and negotiate directly with Assent Advisory Group, LLC under statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 3572 set forth in FAR 13.501(a).  Any interested firms must identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement no later than the date below.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action 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.  Please respond by 20 March 2024 at 1200 hours Eastern Standard Time (EST).  Your response must include your stated TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPERIENCE having provided support to SAF/FMFC AFAFO-A Quality Assurance Program for Quality Assurance Program Training, including the development and execution of a formal USAF QA Training Plan, training material, and reporting capabilities. and information to demonstrate the Contractor’s ability to complete Phase-In activities and commence full performance by the end of the current Quality Assurance Support contract (31 Mar 24).  Send your response to contacting officer Maj Deanna Kerkhoff via email, deanna.kerkhoff.1@us.af.mil with a courtesy copy to contract specialist Ms. Brittney Devallon via email, Brittney.devallon@us.af.mil.  All responding contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).