FEDBIZOPS NOTICE OF INTENT FOR SOLE SOURCE: The 10CONS/PKB, Operational Contracting Office, USAF Academy, US Air Force Academy received a Sole Source justification for membership in an educational collaborative group known as University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), PO Box 3000, Boulder CO, 80307. Government's intent is to award a single Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) under FAR Part 13, between the Government and UCAR. This notice does not obligate the government to award a BPA, nor does it obligate the government to pay for any response from concerned parties. A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is a simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing "charge accounts" with qualified sources. In this acquisition, user fees are accessed to members of the consortium for services they draw from the group, e.g. research data, project request / participation, and associated ancillary resources used. USAFA intends to join this consortium to facilitate the academic opportunities and collaboration among Cadets and regional University students IAW the authority of FAR 6.302-1(b)(1). It is the Government's intention to make payment via the Government Purchase Card (GPC)-VISA. Establishment of a BPA with the Government is not a guarantee of any calls being placed, however, it is not the Government's policy to set up a BPA if it does not intend to use it. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) number is 611710 and the business size standard is $14M. Only one responsible source and no other item will satisfy the USAFA requirement. UCAR provides a dedicated Bi-State Optical Network that effectively links the collaborative efforts of educational institutions along the Interstate 25 corridor, from Cheyenne to Pueblo. This request is issued for the USAF Academy Dean of Faculty for academic enhancement to the USAFA mission. BPA period of performance is anticipated to be 1 Sep 2017 thru 30 Jun 2022, or until terminated. •d. The estimated annual ceiling price for this BPA is $75,000.00. This notice of intent is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time. Any offerors believing they can provide the required access to the UCAR consortium and Bi State Optical Network for collaborative educational endeavors, with all of the features and functions of the organization described above may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can provide this service. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if timely received, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement can be conducted. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received NLT 12:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) on 27 Jul 2017. Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-1(f) and will not be accepted. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Contractors must have a current registration with the System For Award Management (SAM) at http://sam.gov/ . Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC John Keith, Contract Specialist, (719) 333-8041 or sent via e-mail to
[email protected] Alternate POC is Allison Norder, Contracting Officer,
[email protected] . 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 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a076_a76_incl_tech_correction/ ) 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, STE 103 USAFA, CO 80840 Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-9018 Email:
[email protected] Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/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 Telephone number 571-256-2395 FAX 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)