Stereolithographic (SLA) 3D Printer

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

This is a special notice is prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 5.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The contracting office for this notice is the 10th Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy, CO 80840.

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award as a Sole Source commercial item contract to 3D Systems, Inc., located in Rock Hill, SC 29730. The authority for this non-competitive award is 10 USA 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. The NAICS code for this requirement is 333249. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is 500 employees. This notice documents and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2020-01, effective 12 November 2019.  The Government has deemed 3D Systems, Inc. to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance.

a.  Only one responsible source identified to satisfy the USAFA requirement.

b.  The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Department of Aeronautics (DFAN) has a requirement to purchase a high precision, resin Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. This machine will be utilized to rapidly prototype highly accurate models which are used in all cadet capstone and research programs.

  c. The Resin Stereolithographic (SLA) Machine must meet the following salient characteristics:

• Build volume minimum of 38 x 38 x 25 centimeters
• Part weight of 45 pounds
• Resolution of 4000 dots per inch
• Initial fill of grey plastic resin with post-cured minimum material properties of:
  • Flexural modulus of 1500 MPa
  • Flexural strength of 50 MPa
  • Tensile modulus of 1,700 MPa
  • Ultimate tensile strength of 40 MPa
  • Impact strength (noted IZOD) of 30 J/m
  • Solid density of 1.1 g/cm3
• Printing software compatible with Windows 7 and later
• Minimum of 1-day on-site new user training
• Minimum of 1-year warranty
• Maximum possible trade-in credit for existing Viper si2 SLA printer
• Delivery and installation within 30 days of contract award

In our past and ongoing searching we have found only one company which can supply an SLA 3D Printer with the above specifications, namely 3D Systems, Inc. 

As such, there is only solution that meets USAFA’s requirement. Therefore, the contracting officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(2).

A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE POSTED. Based on previous market research conducted, the Government intends to proceed with this sole source action. This synopsis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals.  DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement. Interested concerns must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses and questions shall be submitted to melissa.staudacher@us.af.mil and susan.hashemi@us.af.mil no later than 4:00pm, MDT on 18 December 2019. The Government bears no legal liability for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (JUN 2016)

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsmen,

James Anderson

8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone number 719-333-3829

FAX 719-333-9018

Email:  james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU or AFISRA level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2397, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause)