Description
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number OCO-STU-20-0001 is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). Provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-07, effective August 31, 2020. The NAICS Code is 423410, Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers, and the size standard is 500 employees. The U.S. Department of Education requires studio equipment to include cameras (video and still) and necessary accessories. This procurement includes a combination of brand name and brand name or equal items. See separate, attached brand name justification and list of salient characteristics that ‘equal’ products must meet to satisfy the Department’s requirements. This is a Request for Quotation for information on studio equipment. The firm selected to receive an offer from the Department is required to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and to maintain active registration during the life of the contract. SAM can be accessed at https://www.sam.gov. Firms shall include their DUNS number in their quote. If the firm does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one. The firm selected for an offer from the Department will need to provide Offeror Representations and Certifications prior to any award. Electronic submission of a completed copy of FAR Provision 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items) (Jan 2017) located at https://www.sam.gov is acceptable. Requirements The U.S. Department of Education requires the studio equipment listed below. The contractor shall deliver the equipment to the address identified in the contract within 21 days after receipt of order. Rejected items will be returned at the contractor's expense. Brand Name Justification The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Communications and Outreach, Studio Team has a requirement for camera equipment and accessories. The Studio Team is the primary generator of visual content for the Department and helps ED tell stories visually. The studio team covers events in which the Secretary, Principal Officers, and employees participate. Content is disseminated through the Department’s communications outlets, which include ED.gov and digital engagement and internal communications channels, as well as through publication in the general news media. Team members travel with the Secretary and other officials and provide multimedia support. The team enables the Department to be its own “broadcast house” to relay messages directly from the Department to viewers and subscribers. The Department requires studio equipment, to include cameras and accessories, audio and video equipment and accessories, and tripods, cases and other carrying gear. The Department intends to purchase some equipment on a brand name basis and other equipment on a brand name or equal basis. The ED studio currently is Canon and Sony based. The studio equipment required (video as well as still cameras) must fully integrate into the current workflow of the studio including the use of all existing cameras, lenses, filters, battery packs, etc., as well as the workflow involving video ingest and production and still photo ingest and production. All the gear being acquired has been determined to conform to the current studio workflows. The Department intends to purchase Canon, Sony, and the other equipment identified for the following reasons: Canon and Sony camera systems in place throughout the organization and the equipment sought is fully-compatible with equipment already in use by the Studio Team Camera systems are brand specific to camera bodies and attachable lenses and purchasing non-specified equipment may require additional costs buying adapters, lenses, etc. Given the widespread use of existing equipment, purchasing additional Canon and Sony brand equipment will allow ease of borrowing equipment among ED studio teams, properly equip all photographers, and simplify maintenance plans Although using modifying equipment will allow some brand lenses to be utilized on another brand’s equipment, ease of use and results may be degraded; adapters, etc. may result in performance problems such as loss of image stabilization, automatic adjustment features, etc. Purchasing non-specified equipment may require additional expenditures on adapters, batteries, lens filters, specialty lenses, training, etc., duplicate costs not expected to be recovered through competition. A complete list of required equipment follows. All the equipment required is fully-compatible with the Department’s current environment and will replace broken gear, supplement the gear currently being used, or augment the current system in place. SEE COMPLETE REQUEST FOR QUOTATION DOCUMENT UPLOADED, WHICH CONTAINS ALL REQUIREMENTS, QUOTE INSTRUCTIONS, BASIS FOR AWARD, AND CONTRACT AND SOLICITATION CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS.