USAFA Force Balance

Notice of Intent to Single Source

This is a special notice 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 United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price sole source award to Aerophsyics Research Instruments, INC for the purchase of a 1/2 inch diameter Force Balance for the Tri Sonic Wind Tunnel. The Force Balance must meet the following reqirements: 

• Have a cylindrical diameter of 0.5”
• Be able to measure total normal force of 225 lbs
• Be able to measure total side force of 210 lbs
• Be able to measure total axial force of 55 lbs
• Be able to measure rolling moment of 45 in/lb
• Be able to measure pitching moment of 236 in/lb
• Be able to measure yawing moment of 178 in/lb

The authority for this noncompetitive award is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), only one source reasonably available. The NAICS code for the requirment is 333998 and the small business size standard is 700 employees. This synopsis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote in response to this posting.

Any offerors believing they can provide a Force Balance that meets the requirments may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must clearly support the offeror’s claim. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if received timely, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining if a competitive procurement may be conducted. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Questions and responses must be received not later than 23 August 2023,  2:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time sent via email to robert.loughman@us.af.mil. Responses received after this date will not be considered. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement.

AFFARS 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (OCT 2019)

(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 ombudsman,

James Anderson
8110 Industrial Drive, Suite 103
USAFA, CO 80840
Telephone: 719-333-3829 Fax: 719-333-2379
Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/SMC ombudsman 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) 256-2395, 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)