This is a pre-solicitation notice for the following: Manufacture of 1200 Backpacks, 13” W X 16.5” HX 8”D. OR EQUAL. COLOR: CADET BLUE The backpacks must be manufactured in accordance with USAFA Commercial Item Purchase Description 34TRW/SDCU 400-08, Blue, Cadet, Backpack, dated 14 October 2005 and the Buy American Act and Balance of Payments Program. We accpet an equal, however, a sample must be provided by the closing date of the solicitation for comparison. The deliver date of the hangers is 1 June 2007. Request for quotation (RFQ) will be available on or about 22 March 2007. The RFQ closing will be on or about 2 April 2007. The RFQ will be made available electronically on FedBizOpps. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 314911 and the small business size standard is 500 employees. This is a 100% small business set-aside. 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (AUG 2005) (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 OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the USAF Academy Ombudsmen, Tara Petersen 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 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. (End of clause)

Bid Protests Not Available