Added: February 25, 2008
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. Any formal solicitations will be announced separately. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information provided in response to this RFI.
1. PURPOSE/GENERAL INFORMATION: The 77th Aeronautical Systems Group at Brooks City-Base, TX is seeking information from sources that are capable of providing support in the areas of development, acquisition, testing, engineering, computer aided design (CAD), fielding and program coordination for uniform clothing. The small business size standard associated with NAICS code 315299 is 500 employees. All business sizes, to include small business and the sub-categories of small businesses, are being looked at during our market research phase.
2. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION: The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) is an integrated product team within the 77th Aeronautical Systems Group with responsibility for the design development test programs and sustainment of AF uniforms.
The program support function shall include program support in clothing design, engineering, CAD pattern drafting and/or grading, prototyping, acquisition, textile technology, manufacturing, fielding and program support for a variety clothing programs.
Support services include, but are not limited to, market surveys, test planning, technical writing, technical reports, risk assessment, data collection, analysis and reporting, draft and final procurement documents.
Program support also includes development and implementation of program specific software tools as specified, using existing program applications and compatible with AFUO Microsoft software. Additional technical support involves the development and management of a database to track AF field test and uniform item development.
The field test support function shall include the planning, implementation, analysis and reporting on field user tests as well as assuring the tests are conducted in accordance with Government approved test plans and protocol. The contractor will need to provide test articles; prototypes and patterns as directed by AFUO, insuring all requirements are met or exceeded. All fabricated test articles used will require a certified Air Force Optional Uniform Program manufacturer or other government approved method. Patterns provided shall be compatible with AFUO Gerber Technologies CAD equipment. All patterns shall be provided on media as specified by AFUO.
Program development of a new item for use by AF members or a continuous-improvement initiative of existing items shall be accomplished.
Request comments from interested parties to the following questions:
1. What is your business size? If you are a small business, do you also qualify under any of the sub-categories (8(a), small disadvantaged business, woman owned small business, veteran owned small business, HUB zone small business, service disabled veteran owned small business, and HBCU/MI)?
2. If you are a small business, would you consider submitting a proposal as a prime contractor?
3. In what socio-economic programs do you now participate (e.g. Mentor Prot?g?, Indian Incentive, etc.)? What is the extent of your participation in these programs?
4. For small business consideration, would your firm be able to compete under NAICS 315299? If not, why? Please provide your recommendations concerning the proposed NAICS.
5. Should it be determined that a total set-aside for 8(a) small business or other small business subcategories is not feasible, the AFOU requires feedback on small business goals pertaining to large business. Please provide your thoughts on whether the following subcontracting goals, calculated on the basis of total subcontracting dollars, would be realistic:
-Small Business 28%
-Small Disadvantaged Business 5%
-Woman Owned Small Business 5%
-Hubzone Small Business 5%
-Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business 3%
-Veteran Owned Small Business 3%
If you do not feel these goals are appropriate, request your input as to what goals would be appropriate and include supporting rationale.
3. RESPONSE GUIDANCE: Please include the following with your response: name and address of firm; size of business; capability statement; point of contact and telephone number, average annual revenue for past three years and number of employees, classification standard - i.e., large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), woman-owned, veteran-owned, service disabled veteran owned, HUBZone, etc., affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, and potential teaming partners.
POINTS OF CONTACT: Please contact Maj Moseley Soule, Contracting Officer or Capt Jennifer Pollard, Contract Specialist at Moseley.Soule@brooks.af.mil and Jennifer.Pollard@brooks.af.mil respectively for further information regarding this acquisition.
Added: Jun 17, 2008 5:02 pm
1. The purpose of this ammendment is to include the following questions:
A. Please clarify how you would provide in-house labor to four different geographical locations: Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (7 personnel), Brooks City- Base, TX (1 person), Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, PA (1 person), and Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, Natick, MA (1 person). Support services include, but are not limited to: market surveys, test planning, technical writing, technical reports, risk assessment, data collection, analysis and reporting, draft and final procurement documents. Program support also includes: development and implementation of program specific software tools as specified, using existing program applications and compatible with AFUO Microsoft software. Additional technical support involves the development and management of a database to track AF field test and uniform item development. The field test support function shall include: the planning, implementation, analysis and reporting on field user tests as well as assuring the tests are conducted in accordance with Government approved test plans and protocol.
B. How will you address: fielding, data management, test and evaluation, program/project management and strategic communication for a variety of uniform programs?
2. Please provide respones no later than June 20, 2008, 1600hrs Central Standard time.
