This is a Sources Sought notification for market research purposes only. All information gathered in response to this notification will be used solely for planning purposes. This Source Sought notification is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government has no obligation to reimburse an Offeror for any costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought notification. No solicitation is being issued or requested at this time and this notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach.

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado is seeking (A) potential sources for USAFA Cadet Support Services and (B) industry comments regarding the DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS). The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561210, Facilities Support Services and the Small Business Administration (SBA) small business size standard is $41.5M.

Section A:  Potential Sources for Cadet Support Services for the United States Air Force Academy

Non-personal service requirements include all personnel, supervision, equipment (except for government furnished equipment), vehicles, tools, materials, and other items necessary to accomplish USAFA Cadet Support on-site. This requirement includes, but is not limited to the following:

• USAFA Event Support and Management
• Facility Support and Management Services
  • Athletics Department Support
    • Athletic facilities and events
    • Athletic clothing and other services
    • Athletic equipment and services, including two ice resurfacers
  • Cadet Wing Support
    • Cadet quarters furnishings and equipment
    • Washer and dryer maintenance
    • Other cadet graduation support
  • Dean of Faculty Support
    • Academic facilities support
    • Special cadet projects and curriculum aids
    • Presentation and engraving services
  • Preparatory School Support
    • Cadet candidate furnishings
    • Washer and dryer maintenance
• Exhibit Support

Interested and qualified sources are requested to provide the following information:

1. Company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, e-mail address, DUNS number, and CAGE Code.
2. Offeror’s business size, socio-economic classification, and date of certification.
3. Offerors capability to perform a contract of this magnitude and complexity.
4. Provide a list of relevant contracts (contracts of a similar size and scope of the proposed requirement are considered relevant), either Government or commercial, performed or ongoing within the last three years with a brief description of the contract, contract number, title, dollar amount, timeliness of performance, and customer satisfaction. Include your customer’s name (vendor), address, telephone number, email address, and points of contact with their phone numbers. Indicate if you were the prime or subcontractor, and, if you were a subcontractor, provide the name and point of contact for the prime contractor. Include percentage of self-performed work, how the work was accomplished, and the performance rating for the work.

All of the above information should be submitted in sufficient detail for a decision to be made on the capability of interested parties. Proprietary information should be marked “PROPRIETARY INFORMATION”. Interested sources must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) found at www.sam.gov. Pursuant to Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) 5301-9102(a), Mr. James Anderson has been appointed as the USAF Academy Ombudsmen. The USAF Ombudsman contact information is as follows:  8110 Industrial Drive Ste 200, USAFA CO 80840; email [email protected].

Section B:  Industry comments regarding the DRAFT USAFA Cadet Support Services Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This market research is conducted to assist in the determination of the acquisition strategy for the USAFA Cadet Support Services. Feedback is sought from industry in regards to commercial practices to obtain the required services, as well as the capability of industry in providing the required services within our military environment. Industry’s continued input is welcome throughout the market research process.

PLEASE BE ADVISED, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REFINE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT BASED ON INDUSTRY FEEDBACK RECEIVED FROM THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTIFICATION.

Interested and qualified sources are requested to provide the following feedback:

1. The anticipated NAICS code for USAFA Cadet Support Services is 561210, Facilities Support Services with a small business size standard of $41.5M. Please provide any input on this or other potential NAICS codes that should be considered for the services as described in the draft PWS.
2. Are support services described in the PWS typically performed utilizing standard, commercial regulations/standards? Do other commercial contracts include any industry-specific training, certification, or inspection requirements that are in conflict with the referenced Air Force standards? Please note any major differences in the Government’s requirement and similar requirements found in the commercial marketplace.
3. What changes, if any, could be made to the draft PWS to allow for more performance based requirements? Please identify any portions of the draft PWS that, as written, are too restrictive or prohibit the flexibility to perform according to established industry practices and why.
4. Identify any particular requirements that will increase costs and/or risks to performance in meeting USAFA’s mission.
5. Do the referenced mandatory Air Force instructions and/or other publications conflict with established commercial practices? Provide any comments as to the standard commercial practices used in procuring similar services in the commercial marketplace.
6. Identify any components of the draft PWS that conflict with the quality assurance provisions that are part of normal, established commercial practices. What is considered to be key/critical performance measurements and minimum standards to be met?
7. How can the Government best incentivize strong contract performance? Please provide suggestions.

(8)  Please provide any and all other suggestions that will help to improve the PWS and assist in

       development of an acquisition strategy.

Interested sources are requested to respond to this Sources Sought notification no later than 12:00 P.M. MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME ON 9 NOVEMBER 2020. Email your responses to Joshua Acevedo, Acquisition Team Lead, at [email protected], and Karen Jackson, Contracting Officer, at [email protected].