Purchase a Variety of Survival Equipment in support of the U. S. Coast Guard’s Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) Program

AMENDMENT 1 (1 Sept 2023): This solicitation is amended to extend the closing date until 11 September 2023. No other changes were made.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with (IAW) the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (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 70Z03823QE0000072 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).  This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular Number 2023-05, effective 8 August 2023.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 336413. The small business size standard is 1,250 employees. This is an unrestricted requirement.

This is a brand-name requirement using the authority in FAR 6.302-1(c). In compliance with FAR 5.102(a)(6), a redacted copy of the justification and approval for other than full and open competition is attached to this solicitation. It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price purchase order will be awarded on a brand-name basis as a result of this solicitation for the items listed in the attached Schedule of Supplies.

Only the brand name items requested in this solicitation will be considered for award. All items must have clear traceability to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Aerial Machine and Tool Corporation, doing business as Capewell Aerial Systems (CAGE Code: 70133). Traceability means a clear, complete, documented, and auditable paper trail that traces each step from an OEM or distributor to its current location. All parts shall be NEW approved parts.

The contractor shall furnish a Certificate of Conformance (COC) IAW FAR clause 52.246-15. The COC must be submitted in the format specified in the clause. Prospective vendors who are not the OEM must provide traceability for the offered product back to the OEM and will be required to submit a manufacturer's COC in addition to its own COC. 

NOTE: NO DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, OR SCHEMATICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE USCG.

Please carefully review this solicitation’s attachments for additional information and requirements such as applicable clauses, instructions to offerors, and evaluation criteria:

1. Schedule of Supplies
2. Terms and Conditions
3. Brand Name Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

The closing date and time for receipt of offers is 11 September 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Anticipated award date is on or about 12 September 2023.  Email quotations are preferred and may be sent to Kimberlee.P.Forbes@uscg.mil. Please indicate 70Z03823QE0000072 in the subject line. 

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.