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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. F2Z3SB6223A100 is being issued as a Request for Quotation, which incorporates provisions and clauses for commercial items in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-13. This acquisition is unrestricted. The associated NAICS code for this acquisition is 451211. McConnell AFB, KS plans to acquire the following items: 1) 1,400 books, current adult fiction and nonfiction available for patron check out, with a rotation of 70 new books each month as selected by the librarian. 2) Easy books collection. Provide a collection of easy books for patron checkout, with a rotation with a rotation of 120 points each month as selected by the librarian using a point allowance system. 3) 200 current Young Adult fiction and nonfiction books with a 70 book rotation each month as selected by the librarian. The period covered for this purchase is 1 January 2007- 31 Dec 2007. Please give estimated shipping charges, if any. The following provisions in their latest editions apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-l, Instructions to Offerors, Commercial. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation, Commercial Items (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. 52.211-6 ? Brand Name or Equal (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as ?brand name or equal,? the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government?s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that ?equal? products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of ?equal? products, including ?equal? products of the brand name manufacturer, must?Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; Clearly identify the item by?(i) Brand name, if any; and(ii) Make or model number; Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate ?equal? products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an ?equal? product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. AFFARS 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman (10 Aug 2005) in full text (below): (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 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 OMBC A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the Center/MAJCOM ombudsmen, Mr. Michael R. Jackson, HQ AMC/A7K, 507 Symington Drive, Scott AFB IL 62225-5022, (618) 229-0267, fax (618) 256-6668, email:
[email protected]. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU level, may be brought by the concerned 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 (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067. (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. The following factor will be used to evaluate offers: Price. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer?s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications, Commercial Items (offeror shall complete these on-line at www.bpn.gov/orca), FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions, Commercial Items. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders. The offeror shall include, as part of their offer, a completed DFARS 252.225-7000, Buy American Act ? Balance of Payments Program Certificate. Additional FAR clauses cited within the above clauses, which are applicable, will be incorporated into the solicitation and the resulting contract. Award will be made to the most responsive offeror proposing the items determined to be the most advantageous to the government in accordance with the evaluation factors listed above. FOB shall be Destination. Award can only be made to contractors registered in Central Contractor Registration (http://www.ccr.gov). Offerors shall respond to this solicitation by 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time 6 Nov 06. Offers can be faxed to SSgt Eric Schaffstein at 316-759-1411 or e-mailed to
[email protected].