Purchase of Spare Parts for the HC-144 Aircraft

This Special Notice constitutes the only solicitation. A written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number 70Z03825QL0000060 is issued as a Special Notice of Intent to Award to Ipeco Inc. (Cage Code 5Z814), for the purchase of various parts to support the HC-144 Aircraft. Vendors may quote on the following: 

NSN                                     Part Number                   Nomenclature               QTY
1730-99-061-1728               1A061-0051                       Rail                          18 EA
1680-01-HS2-3010               0A061-0277               Cushion-Pan Fire Bl       10 EA
1680-01-HS2-4997               3A041-0371            Spacer, Armrest, Copi        4 EA
1680-01-HS1-9524               1A079-0117NU            Cover Seat Back Csh      16 EA
1680-99-551-7047                   0A205-0286                Track-Seat RH              6 EA
1680-99-131-3916               1A061-0295CR             Cover, Cushion Back    17 EA
1680-01-HS3-6427                3A058-0499                  Tube, Rear Cross        2 EA

All items must have clear traceability to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Ipeco Holdings Limited (Cage Code K9075). Traceability means a clear, complete, documented, and auditable paper trail which traces each step from an OEM or distributor to its current location.  

Incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-03 effective January 17, 2025. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 336413.  The small business size standard is 1,250 employees. 

The following attachments apply to this solicitation: 
Attachment A – Terms and Conditions 
Attachment B – Redacted Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

It is anticipated that a Sole Source Purchase Order will be awarded as a result of this notice pending the availability of funds. It is the Government’s belief that Ipeco Inc. only has the required proprietary technical and engineering data to provide the purchase of the previously listed parts. Concerns having the expertise and required capabilities to provide these parts are invited to submit complete information discussing the same within ten (10) calendar days from this posting. Vendors who do not meet the capability requirement will not be considered. The notice of intent will not be extended or the award delayed for a vendor to submit their data for capability determination or for registration in SAM.gov. 

Please note: Only quotations with shipping terms of F.O.B. Destination or F.O.B Origin will be accepted. Shipping terms of Ex Works (EXW) or Incoterms 2020 (to include but not limited to DAP Incoterms 2020 and FCA, Incoterms 2020) will not be accepted. 

The closing date for this intent to award notice is Mar. 13, 2025 at 4:00 pm EST. Point of contact for this intent to award notice is Allison.T.Meads@uscg.mil. Please indicate 70Z03825QL0000060 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 and CC the Contracting Officer. 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 at OPAP@uscg.mil and the Contracting Officer: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer’s name, solicitation closing date (if applicable), and their concerns.

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, and CC the Contracting Officer in all communications.

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 emailed to OPAP@uscg.mil and 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.