Responsible Sources Sought for Cadet Backpacks

This notice is not a solicitation. This announcement serves as a source sought notice for the upcoming acquisition for United States Air Force Academy, for the following: Cadet Backpacks. Interested firms must reference their 8(a), HUBZone, Woman Owned or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned status and must be signed by a company official with authority to bind the company. All potential offerors are reminded, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) 252.204-7004, Required Central Contractor Registration, lack of registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) will make an offeror ineligible for contract award. This Sources Sought Notice is also issued for the purpose of market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. All businesses capable of providing these backpacks are invited to respond. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this sources sought synopsis is voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this sources sought synopsis.

The 10 LGCB is seeking potential sources who can manufacture a Cadet Blue backpack. The applicable NAICS Code is 314911 and the small business size is 500. We anticipate the proposed contract will be a firm fixed priced commercial Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a base period and four one-year option periods. Backpacks shall be manufactured utilizing Contractor Furnished material (CFM).

Estimated yearly quantities and estimated Delivery Date: 1,350 each with 1 April delivery, annually.

Exact quantities and sizes will be identified on individual delivery orders (IDIQ).

Specification/Description of requirements: Backpack, 13"w x 16.5"h x 8" d.
MFG IAW USAFA COMMERCIAL ITEM PD 34TRW/SDCU 400-08, DTD 14 OCT 2005 (Attachment 1). Color: Cadet Blue.

Bar Code Label Requirement: An adhesive label of regular commercial quality, reflecting the Cadet Issue Division stock number, size, and a brief description, compatible with the Government's UPC Code 39 System shall be affixed to each individual packaged backpack plus one for each shipping container. See attached sample bar code (Attachment 2).

All items and components must be made and manufactured in accordance with DFARS 252-225-7001, Buy American Act and Balance of Payments Program and DFARS 252-225-7012, Preference for certain domestic commodities, which is known as the Berry Amendment.

First Article is required after award in accordance with FAR 52.209-4 Alt 1. The first article requirement may be waived if the Government is satisfied with the technical acceptable sample if one was provided or if you have received an award in the last three years.

All Contractors interested in supplying this requirement may indicate their interest in this proposed acquisition by sending an email to include your name, contact information, company name, business size, your level of interest in this proposed acquisition, CAGE code, and answers to the following questions:

1. How long have you been in business?

2. What size business is your company? How many employees do you have?

3. How big is your facility?

4. What are your payment terms? What are your commercial terms and conditions?

5. Are you a manufacturer or do you subcontract the work?

6. Have you ever performed Government contracts?

7. What is your lead-time for manufacturing? Is the Material/ Canvas On-Hand or supplied Just-In-Time? What are the longest lead times for components (i.e. fasteners/zippers)?

8. Are you in compliance with the Berry Amendment? Note: This includes all components to make the end item (i.e. clips, zippers). It is critical that all items and all manufacturing are domestic.

9. What steps, if any, is your organization taking towards green procurement?

Only responsible suppliers need respond. NOTE: ** No telephone responses, please** This sources sought is for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to pay for the information requested. If you are not interested in supplying these items, no response is necessary.

The Government is considering utilizing the Economic Price Adjustment Clause (FAR 52.216-2, Economic Price Adjustment - Standard Supplies) and would like industry comments/feedback. Will contractors be able to price out a base year with four options or would it be more beneficial/reasonable to request less than a base plus four options? Please provide input, as our goal is to entertain as much competition as possible.

This notice is designed to locate responsible sources who have an interest, and have the ability to supply the item described herein. Responsible vendors who are interested may contact Rebecca Petersen, USAFA Contracting Specialist, via email [email protected] or Diana South, Contracting Officer, [email protected] by 2:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, 7 July 2009.

Place of Performance:
Address: 8110 Industrial Drive, Suite 200, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
Zip Code: 80840
Country: USA