EMERGENCY DRYDOCK FOR USCGC MACKINAW

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation. The requirement is being solicited as a Unrestricted (Full and Open) using Simplified Acquisition Procedures per FAR Subpart 13. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 05-51. The NAICS Code is 336611 with a Small Business size standard of 1,000 employees. The Solicitation Number is HSCG80-11-Q-P45NA5. A Firm-Fixed Price Contract for the Definite Items is anticipated. (a) Failure to read and comply with the Specification in its entirety will not relieve the quoter from the responsibility for properly estimating the difficulty or price of successfully performing the work. Failure to do so will be at the quoter's risk. (b) It is the responsibility of the quoter to monitor the FedBizOpps.gov website for future notices and postings. Each quoter shall furnish the information required by the solicitation PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Work is to commence no later than 23 MAY 2011 and be completed no later than 27 MAY 2011. ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: The contract is expected to be awarded on or about 19 May 2011. REQUIRED COMPLETION DATE: Contractor shall complete work by 27 MAY 2011. GEOGRAPHICAL RESTRICTION: GREAT LAKE AREA DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Contractor shall perform EMERGENCY DRYDOCK REPAIRS FOR THE USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB 30) in accordance with attached Specification. See following Schedule of Supplies and Services: ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE UNIT QTY EXTENDED PRICE 1-D Bow Thruster Unit Seals, Renewal JOB 1 $____________ 2-D Drydocking JOB 1 $______________ 3-D Temporary Services JOB 1 $__________________ 4-D Sea Trials Performance, Provide Support JOB 1 $______________ 5-D ICCP SYSTEM ANODE, Renew JOB 1 $_________________ A-O Composite Labor Rate HOURS 100 $________________ C-O Lay Day DAY 5 $__________________ B-D GFP Report NSP EA 1 NSP Total Price of Definite Items Total Price of Option Items Total Price of Definite and Optional Items The place of performance will be at the contractor facility. Refer questions to SANDRA MARTINEZ, Contracting Officer at (757) 628-4591. Quotes must arrive no later than 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) 17 May 2011. Quotes may be sent via e-mailed to [email protected] or by fax. FAR 52.215-5, FACSIMILE PROPOSAL (OCT 1997), offerors may submit facsimile quotes as response to this solicitation. Facsimile proposals are subject to the same rules as paper proposals. The telephone number for receiving facsimiles is: (757) 628-4676/75 The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this request for quotation and are incorporated by reference and/or full text as required. FAR 52.252.2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic. FAR 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (Apr 2008) FAR 52.211-15 Defense Priorities and Allocation System Rating (Apr 2008) FAR 52.222-1 Notice to the Government of Labor Disputes (Feb 1997) FAR 52.247-34 F.o.b. Destination (Nov 1991) HSAR 3052.209-72 Organizational Conflict of Interest (Jun 2006) HSAR 3052.217-91 Performance (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.217-92 Inspection and Manner of Doing Work (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.217-93 Subcontracts (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.217-96 Title (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.217-98 Delays (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.217-100 Guarantee (Jun 2006) HSAR 3052.222-70 Strikes or Picketing Affecting Timely Completion of the Contract Work (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.242-71 Dissemination of Contract Information (Dec 2003) HSAR 3052.242-72 Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (Dec 2003) The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (Jun 2008) apply The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999) apply EVALUATION AND AWARD: The government intends to award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation provides the best value to the government. The evaluating factors are: (1) PAST PERFORMANCE: The offeror's prior performance record in terms of relevancy and complexity of same or similar jobs (i.e. quality, timeliness of performance, and business relations.) (2) PRICE - Offeror's price shall represent the best price in response to the request for quote. The price shall be evaluated to determine fairness and reasonableness. **** Past Performance is more important than Price. As the past performance of the offeror is determined to be more equal, the price evaluation becomes more of a determinant in the Best Value decision* **** The provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certification -Commercial Items (Apr 2011). Vendors are required to submit a complete copy of the provision at Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items with their quote. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov . If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision. (End of clause) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (Jun 2010) apply FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (Apr 2011) (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: (1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). ____ Alternate I (AUG 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). (2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553). (3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78). (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ___ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402). ___ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)). ___ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub L. 111-5) (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). _X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). ___ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5). ___ (6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government' Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). (Applies to contracts over $30,000). (Not applicable to subcontracts for the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items). ___ (7) 52.219-3, Notice of Total HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a). ___ (8) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a). ___ (9) [Reserved] ___ (10) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-6. ___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-6. ___ (11) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7. ___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7. ___ (12) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). _X__ (13) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(4).) ___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. ___ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. ___ (iv) Alternate III (July 2010) of 52.219-9. ___ (14) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)). ___ (15) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)). ___ (16) (i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (Oct 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer). ___ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23. ___ (17) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program-Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Dec 2010) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). ___ (18) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program-Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). ___ (19) 52.219-27, Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 657 f). ___ (20) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). ___ (21) 52.219-29, Notice of Total Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Apr 2011). ___ (22) 52.219-30, Notice of Total Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Apr 2011). ___ (23) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). ___ (24) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jul 2010) (E.O. 13126). _X_ (25) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). _X_ (26) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). ___ (27) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). _X_ (28) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). ___ (29) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). ___ (30) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). ___ (31) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) ___ (32) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) ___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) ___ (33) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b). ___ (34) (i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (Dec 2007) (E.O. 13423). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Dec 2007) of 52.223-16. _X_ (35) 52.223-18, Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Sep 2010) (E.O. 13513). ___ (36) 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d). ___ (37) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act -Free Trade Agreements - Israeli Trade Act (Jun 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-301, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, and 110-138). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3. ___ (iii) Alternate II (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3. ___ (38) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Aug 2009) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). _X_ (39) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). ___ (40) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). ___ (41) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). ___ (42) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). ___ (43) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). _X_ (44) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (45) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (46) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (47) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a). ___ (48) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64. (c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ___ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). ___ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). ___ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). ___ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). ___ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). ___ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). ___ (7) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). ___ (8) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sep 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)). (d) Comptroller General Examination of Record The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation. (1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor's directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract. (2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved. (3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law. (e) (1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause- (i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)). (ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Dec 2010) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $650,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities. (iii) [Reserved] (iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). (v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (vi) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). (vii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40. (viii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, (Nov 2007), (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.) (ix) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). ___ Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). (x) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.) (xi) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.) (xii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009). (xiii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6. (xiv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64. (2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations. (End of Clause) REQUIRED INSURANCE - The Contractor shall, at its own expense, procure and maintain the following kinds of insurance with respect to performance under the contract. In accordance with HSAR 3052.228-70, Insurance (DEC 2003), the Contractor shall furnish the Contracting Officer with proof of insurance for the duration of the contract, including: 1. Ship Repairer's Liability - $500,000 per occurrence., 2. Comprehensive General Liability - $500,000 per occurrence., 3. Full insurance coverage in accordance with the United States' Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Act., 4. Full insurance coverage in accordance with the State's Workmen's Compensation Law (or its equivalent) for all places of performance under this contract. The insurance certificate must provide the name of the US Coast Guard vessel and the contract and/or solicitation number as specifically insured. WELDING CERTIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS - This solicitation may contain welding line items as either Definitive or Optional Items. With his/her quote the Contractor shall provide the necessary welding certifications and qualifications as required by the specification for the applicable work item(s), and SFLC Standard Specification 0740_STD. PLEASE NOTE: QUOTES MUST INCLUDE ALL DOCUMENTS REQUESTED IN THIS SOLICITATION (WELDING CERTIFICATES, DRYDOCK CALCULATIONS, PAST PERFORMANCE, ETC). QUOTES THAT DO NOT INCLUDE ALL DOCUMENTS REQUESTED MAY BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE AND MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED. GROWTH WORK (a) The Contractor shall not perform growth work without the Contracting Officer's authorization. Growth work is work within the scope of the contract, which has not been previously priced as a pre-priced CLIN. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to contract for growth work on the basis of a negotiated, firm, fixed price, when it is in the best interest of the Government. If a firm-fixed price contract is awarded, and during the performance period a repair within scope is identified but the Contracting Officer and Contractor are unable to agree on the cost of the work, a bilateral modification may be incorporated into the contract using a Time and Materials modification for this specific repair. In this situation, FAR 52.212-4, Alternate I, will be incorporated. (b) The Contractor shall furnish a price breakdown directly to the Contracting Officer, itemized as required by the Contracting Officer, of any proposal submitted for a contract modification. Unless otherwise directed, the breakdown shall be submitted on an SFLC 002 proposal form provided at the arrival conference permitting an analysis of all materials, labor, equipment, subcontract, overhead costs, and profit covering all work involved in the change/modification whether such work was deleted, added or changed. Any amount claimed for subcontracts shall be supported by a separate, similar price breakdown. If the proposal includes a request for a time extension, justification shall be furnished with the proposal. (c) This clause is to be used in conjunction with the clause COMPOSITE LABOR RATE incorporated into this solicitation. The Contractor is required to have and/or furnish all tools and equipment incidental to each bench trade. Supplies such as wiping rags, hacksaw blades, sandpaper, welding wire, helium, etc., are also to be furnished by the Contractor. Other materials are to be charged at regular rates and prices currently in effect and as agreed to by the Contracting Officer. Material shall be best commercial quality available except where a precise specification is indicated in which case the specification shall apply, e.g., MILSPEC, FEDERAL SPEC. COMPOSITE LABOR RATE: -The composite labor rate offered shall be the sole labor hour rate used to price the Prime Contractor's direct labor hours for contract changes, i.e. growth work. The Contractor shall not receive any compensation in addition to this rate for the Prime Contractor's direct labor associated with such changes under this contract. (a) The composite labor hour rate shall represent total compensation for the following: (1) direct labor wages and salaries; (2) all employee benefits including, but not limited to, paid leave, supplemental pay, insurance, retirement, savings, and legally required benefits; (3) other direct costs associated with transit time, delay, disruption, expendable supplies, and equipment; (4) all indirect costs such as overhead and general and administrative expense; (5) any port or association fees, rents, or other levies; (6) profit (fee); and (7) all direct and indirect costs and profit associated with the following support functions: Supervision and Management Planning and Estimating Material Handling Housekeeping Engineering Transportation/Drivers Quality Assurance Contract Administration Security Testing (b) The composite labor hour rate will be applied to production labor hours only. Production labor hours include only those hours necessary and reasonable to perform direct production functions and do not include the hours expended on the support functions listed above. This exclusion of support function hours applies whether such support functions are normally charged directly or indirectly by the Contractor's accounting system. These support functions are to be priced into the composite labor rate quoted and shall not be separately compensated. (c) The Quantity of Composite Labor hours indicated in the Schedule of Supplies/Services, is only an estimate and is an Optional Item pursuant to this solicitation. The Estimated Quantity represents the Government's best estimate of the total number of additional hours that may be required throughout the contract. The Government may elect to exceed this value at the prices stated in the schedule and its discretion during performance of the contract. The inclusion of this item does not obligate the Government to exercise the item nor entitle the Contractor to compensation if not exercised. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY --No oral or written statement of any person other than the Contracting Officer will in any manner or degree modify or otherwise affect the terms of this contract. The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements under this contract, and, notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in cost incurred as a result thereof. CONTRACT DEFICIENCY REPORT -The Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) may issue a Contract Deficiency Report (CDR), SFLC Form 005. The Contractor shall respond in writing within 24 hours of receipt, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer, to the COTR. The COTR will comment on the Contractor's response and will forward the Deficiency Report and comments to the Contracting Officer, with a copy to the Contractor and Availability Program Manager. The Contracting Officer will render a final determination and provide it to the Contractor and COTR in writing. It is the policy of the Coast Guard to issue solicitations and make contract awards in a fair and timely manner. To further this policy, the Commandant has created the position of Solicitation Ombudsman who is empowered to investigate issues raised by prospective offerors and resolve them, where possible, without expensive and time-consuming litigation. Potential quoters who believe that a Coast Guard solicitation is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the cognizant Contracting Officer. If the Contracting Officer is unable to satisfy the concerns, the quoter should then contact the Coast Guard Solicitation Ombudsman at the address below: Commandant (CG-9131) United States Coast Guard Headquarters Procurement Planning & Oversight Division 1900 Half Street, SW, Room 11-0203 Washington, DC 20593-0001 Telephone: (202) 372-3695 Fax: (202) 475-3904 Potential quoters should provide the following information to the Ombudsman in order to ensure a timely response: Solicitation number, Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date. Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) Rating: DO A3.