THIS IS A Special Notice ONLY. The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract for Electrical Generating Systems Association's (ESGA) Technician Certification Program (Apprentice) Test Vouchers, Study Guides and Reference Material on an SOLE SOURCE basis. The proposed sole source, firm fixed price contract to Ferris State University for ESGA's Apprentice Technician Certification Program test vouchers, study guides and reference material. The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization. This requirement supports the need to offer Tactical Power Generation Equipment Technicians (MOS 91D) an opportunity to receive a 3-year apprentice credential as an EGSA Certified Technician through Ferris State University. The requirement is for vouchers for the examination, study guides, and reference books. The examination covers basic electricity, prime movers, generators/alternators, engine generator instrumentation and controls, governors, automatic transfer switches, and voltage regulators. The study guide manual contains sample questions and formulas. The reference book is used in conjunction with the study guide. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this special notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government-wide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Government-wide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The NAICS codes is: 1. 611710 - Educational Support Services. This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing non-instructional services that support educational processes or systems. Illustrative examples include: educational consultants, educational testing services, educational guidance counseling services, student exchange programs, and/or educational testing evaluation services. If you feel your company can meet the needs of the requirement, please provide the following: 1. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code. 2. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any. 3. Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination. 4. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solutions. Also contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at
[email protected] or 210-466-2269, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the Sources Sought Synopsis. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.