Propane Supplies and Maintenance Service Contract

This “Sources Sought” is for Market Research purposes only. Its purpose is to gauge interest regarding availability and capabilities of qualified small business entities. This notice may or may not result in a Solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Quotation (RFQ). The Indian Health Service (IHS), California Area Office (CAO) will utilize any responses for information purposes only upcoming Government acquisitions.

Agency Mission. Indian Health Service (IHS) is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives from federally recognized tribes. The California Area Office’s (CAO) mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

IHS, CAO will utilize responses to determine set-aside potential and competition requirements to methods of procurement, i.e., Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB). Any competition requirements and subsequent contract types which may include Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Requirement contracts, and/or standalone contracts for a specific services or items. All acquisitions will be solicited and awarded utilizing Federal Acquisition Regulations, DHHS and IHS policies, regulations, and best practices.

Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) Preference. The Government is interested in ALL businesses to include Native-Owned entities. In order to analyze set-aside potential, your response shall include a facsimile copy of the owner’s Tribal Enrollment Card or Certificate of Indian Blood. The ISBEE firm shall have 51% share of: (1) Native ownership; (2) Day-to-day operations; and (3) Self-Performance this same share of the work with W9 staff. More information may be found at:

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/01/13/ihs-announces-efforts-provide-more-opportunity-contracting-indian-owned-businesses.html

Requirement

The Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center (DSYWC) is a 35,000 square foot facility located on approximately 17 acres in Hemet, CA, built in 2016.  The DSYWC is a residential behavioral health treatment facility for Native American/Alaskan Native youths (ages 12-17) with substance abuse disorders.  In order to have an adequate supply of propane for heating units, water heaters and kitchen appliances; Desert Sage’s propane tanks need to be supplied with propane and maintained in accordance with industry’s best practices.

The purpose of this project is to supply liquid propane and maintain three 1,000-gallon tanks at Desert Sage campus.  Three 1,000 gallons propane tanks are centrally located at Desert Sage campus.  These propane tanks are owned by the Federal Government.

Site Visit. There are no organized site visits. As the need can occur anywhere in the different regions and may be impacted by congressional appropriation.

Government Teaming. IHS, CAO works closely with our partners including contract awardee, federally recognized Native American Tribes, homeowners and other interested parties.

Small Business and Other Small Business Categories. The purpose of this notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of small business entities in the following categories. All small businesses types are encouraged to respond to this notice, they include:

• Small Business;
• Small Disadvantaged Business;
• Native American Owned Business. Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) or Indian-Owner Economic Enterprise (IEE)-to be considered for an IHS contract awarded under the Buy Indian act, offeror must be a member of a federally recognized tribe; Provide the name of your tribe along with verification of tribal registration in form of a reproduced copy of a Tribal Enrollment Card or Certificate of Indian Blood;
• 8(a);
• HUBZone;
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned;
• Veteran-Owned; and
• Women-Owned Businesses.

Period of Performance. Historically, this requirement has been solicited and awarded with a base period (365-calendar days), and four (4) one-year option periods (365-calendar days each). Exercising of the option periods is dependent upon the Contractor’s successful performance for the previous period and a the Government’s bona fide need for the work efforts.

NAICS Code. The NAICS Code for this work is 424710, for petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals. The small business standards, in employees of dollars, is 200. This size standard is the largest that a concern can be and still qualify as a small business entity for Federal Government programs. Size standards are the average annual receipts or the average employment of a firm. More information on how to calculate can be found at 13 CFR § 121.104 and 13 § 121.106, respectively.

Working with the Federal Government.

System for Award Management. All parties interested in working with the Federal Government as a prime awardee, are required to register with the General Services Agency System for Award Management. Failure to register will result in Offeror’s Bid/Proposal/Quote to be considered unresponsive. More information can be found at https://sam.gov/content/home. Please note IHS does not run this platform for registration questions or issues please contact the Help Desk at 866.606.8220 or https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp/?id=gsa_landing

Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). All parties interested in working with the Federal Government as a prime awardee, are required to register with the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform. IPP is a secure, web-based service, which manages Government invoicing, and payment. More information can be found at https://www.ipp.gov. Please note IHS does not run this platform for registration questions or issues please contact the Help Desk at 866.973.3131 or IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov.

Required Information in your package. Your response to this notice shall include:

• Business Name and Contact Information. Business Name, Address, Point of Contact for further information; Phone Number, and Email Address;
• IHS Buy Indian Program. In order to self-certify firm as an Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) a reproduced copy of a Tribal Enrollment Card or Certificate of Indian Blood. More information can be found at: The Buy Indian Act | Division of Acquisition Policy (ihs.gov)
• UEI. Unique Entity ID.
• Business Size. Please indicate the firm’s business size, i.e., Large Business, Small Business, Native Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Veteran Owned, HubZone, etc. More information regarding business size and each categories size parameters can be found at https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards
• Experience. Provide no more than two (2) sheets detailing your company’s experience doing the same or similar work in the last two-year period.
• Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meetings. The Owner and/or Chief Executive Officer shall be available to meet face-to-face with the Contracting Officer’s Representative and/or Contracting Officer on a weekly basis at the job site. If your company were awarded a contract with IHS, how will your company fulfill this contractual obligation? Please describe as part of your response to this notice.

Point(s) of Contact

• Primary PoC. Rachel Rosas, Contracting Officer, Indian Health Service, California Area Office, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-100, Sacramento, CA 95814, Phone (916) 268-1295, Email:  Alicia.powell@ihs.gov
• Alternate PoC. Ronda English, Contracting Officer, Indian Health Service, California Area Office, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-100, Sacramento, CA 95814, Phone (916) 930-3981, Email:  Ronda.English@ihs.gov

Disclaimer. This is not a solicitation for bids or proposals. IHS will not award a contract as a result of this Sources Sought.  The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with their response to this notice.