Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION Non-Personal Services To Remove And Dispose of the Current Brand Name Heliax Transmission Line Affixed to the Calibration Tower And To Procure And Install Four Independe... COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION Non-Personal Services To Remove And Dispose of the Current Brand Name Heliax Transmission Line Affixed to the Calibration Tower And To Procure And Install Four Independent Runs of Heliax Transmission Lines Near The Base of the Calibration Tower Located At the National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) Facility INCUMBENT • There is no incumbent (i) 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 and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number 1305M324Q0134. (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-03 (Feb 2024). (iv) This solicitation is being issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 517810. The small business size standard is $40.0M. (v) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services: CLIN 0001 Quantity of Four of 150 ft of LDF5-50A, Heliax Low Density Foam Coaxial Cable, corrugated copper, 7/8 in, black PE jacket in accordance and incorporated in the Statement of Work. Delivery needed to accommodate the installation within 30 days from date of award. 4 EA Unit Cost $___________ Extended Amount $___________ CLIN 0002 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to remove and dispose of the current Brand Name Heliax transmission line affixed to the calibration tower and to procure and install four independent runs of Brand Name Heliax transmission lines near the base of the National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) facility, in accordance and incorporated in the Statement of Work. Period of Performance is 30 days from date of award. 1 JB Unit Cost $___________ Extended Amount $___________ CLIN 0003 Shipping and delivery costs. Delivery needed to accommodate the installation within 30 days from date of award. 1 EA Unit Cost $___________ Extended Amount $___________ (vi) Description of requirements is as follows: See attached, incorporated Statement of Work which applies to CLIN 0002, and Department of Labor Wage Rates: WD 2015-5315, Revision No. 22, dated 12/26/2023, which can be found on: https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations (vii) Date(s) and place(s) of delivery and acceptance: Period of performance shall be: 30 days from date of award Place of Performance is: The Calibration Tower does not have a precise location. The office building that pertains to the Calibration Tower is at the address below. Address: 1426 Halley Cir. Norman, OK. 73069 (viii) FAR provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sept 2023), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. (ix) FAR provision 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. (x) FAR provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Feb 2024), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. Offerors are advised to include a completed copy of the provision with its offer. (xi) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. (xii) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Feb 2024), applies to this acquisition apply can be found in full text on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. (xiii) Any additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions that apply can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. (xiv) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating does not apply. (xv) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 12:00 PM MST/MDT on 03/25/2024. All quotes must be submitted electronically via email to Marilyn.Herrera@noaa.gov. (xvi) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted electronically via email to Marilyn.Herrera@noaa.gov. UTILIZATION OF FEDCONNECT® FOR CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION The Department of Commerce will utilize the FedConnect® web portal in administering this award. The contractor must be registered in FedConnect® and have access to the FedConnect® website located at https://www.fedconnect.net/Fedconnect/. For assistance in registering or for other FedConnect® questions please call the FedConnect® Help Desk at (800) 899-6665 or email at support@fedconnect.net. There is no charge for registration in or use of FedConnect®. (End) 1352.215-72 Inquiries (Apr 2010) OFFERORS MUST SUBMIT ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS SOLICITATION IN WRITING VIA EMAIL TO MARILYN.HERRERA@NOAA.GOV. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 12:00 PM MST/MDT on 03/22/2024. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. (End of clause) 52.237-1 Site Visit (Apr 1984) Offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. (End of provision) A site visit is highly recommended but not required. Offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. Please contact MARILYN.HERRERA@NOAA.GOV to coordinate with the site. All questions during the site visit should be submitted electronically to MARILYN.HERRERA@NOAA.GOV. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sep 2023) NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror. 1. Submit PDF or Microsoft Word format quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are required and can be sent to MARILYN.HERRERA@NOAA.GOV. 2. Offeror shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM found at https://sam.gov/content/home) in order to provide a quote and be eligible for award. Must provide their UEID/CAGE CODE with their quote. 3. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of them or their capability. 4. Offerors must provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with FAR 52.212-2. Offerors who do not provide all evaluation criteria will not be accepted. Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a). The evaluation will consider the Non-Price Technical Solution (Technical Approach and Past Performance) to be significantly more important than price. However, as quotes are determined to be more equal in the non-price evaluation factor, price becomes more important and may become the determining factor for award. If, at any stage of the evaluation, all vendors are determined to have submitted equal, or virtually equal, Non-Price Technical Solutions, price could become the factor in determining which vendor will receive the award. The Government intends to evaluate the quotes and award a purchase order based on the Offeror’s initial quote; therefore, the Offeror’s initial quote should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a Non-Price Technical Solution and price standpoint. The Government reserves the right not to award a purchase order depending on the quality of the quote(s) submitted and the availability of funds. Furthermore, the Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities or omissions in quotes received. The Government may make award to other than the lowest-priced Offeror or the Offeror with the highest technical rating if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The Government will not make an award at a significantly higher overall price to achieve only slightly superior performance capability. (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. Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: Evaluation will be based on the following: 1. Technical Approach and Capability. The Offeror’s overall technical approach will be evaluated to assess the Government's level of confidence in the Offeror’s understanding of, approach to, and ability to successfully perform the requirements as described in the Statement of Work. Provide a detailed description of the company’s experience performing similar services. A detailed technical approach write-up describing how the Offeror will perform this service is required to be submitted with the quote regardless of whether a site visit was made or not. The technical approach write-up must not be a reiteration of the Statement of Work, but how your company plans on performing the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. (i.e. performance checklists, anticipated number of employees, anticipated hours at the facility and/or confirmation of supplies being provided, etc.) 2. Past Performance. The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Offeror performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on responsiveness, quality, and customer services. Quote shall include at least two references from at least two separate contracts for similar and relevant services including the phone number, full address, and e-mail address. Offerors lacking relevant past performance history, or for whom past performance information is either not available or has not been submitted to the Government, will receive a neutral rating for past performance. 3. Price. The Government will evaluate the price quote for completeness and reasonableness in relation to the RFQ requirements. Quoted prices must be entirely compatible with the Non-Price Technical Solution. 4. Transmission line must be Heliax brand name The Government intends to award a trade-off, single firm fixed-price purchase order on an all or none basis with payment terms of Net 30. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) 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. (End of provision) “THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT”. 1. FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a). The evaluation will consider the Non-Price Technical Solution (Technical Approach and Past Performance) to be significantly more important than price. However, as quotes are determined to be more equal in the non-price evaluation factor, price becomes more important and may become the determining factor for award. If, at any stage of the evaluation, all vendors are determined to have submitted equal, or virtually equal, Non-Price Technical Solutions, price could become the factor in determining which vendor will receive the award. The Government intends to evaluate the quotes and award a purchase order based on the Offeror’s initial quote; therefore, the Offeror’s initial quote should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a Non-Price Technical Solution and price standpoint. The Government reserves the right not to award a purchase order depending on the quality of the quote(s) submitted and the availability of funds. Furthermore, the Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities or omissions in quotes received. The Government may make award to other than the lowest-priced Offeror or the Offeror with the highest technical rating if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The Government will not make an award at a significantly higher overall price to achieve only slightly superior performance capability. (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. Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: Evaluation will be based on the following: 1. Technical Approach and Capability. The Offeror’s overall technical approach will be evaluated to assess the Government's level of confidence in the Offeror’s understanding of, approach to, and ability to successfully perform the requirements as described in the Statement of Work. Provide a detailed description of the company’s experience performing similar services. A detailed technical approach write-up describing how the Offeror will perform this service is required to be submitted with the quote regardless of whether a site visit was made or not. The technical approach write-up must not be a reiteration of the Statement of Work, but how your company plans on performing the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. (i.e. performance checklists, anticipated number of employees, anticipated hours at the facility and/or confirmation of supplies being provided, etc.) 2. Past Performance. The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Offeror performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on responsiveness, quality, and customer services. Quote shall include at least two references from at least two separate contracts for similar and relevant services including the phone number, full address, and e-mail address. Offerors lacking relevant past performance history, or for whom past performance information is either not available or has not been submitted to the Government, will receive a neutral rating for past performance. 3. Price. The Government will evaluate the price quote for completeness and reasonableness in relation to the RFQ requirements. Quoted prices must be entirely compatible with the Non-Price Technical Solution. 4. Transmission line must be Heliax brand name The Government intends to award a trade-off, single firm fixed-price purchase order on an all or none basis with payment terms of Net 30. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) 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. (End of provision) STATEMENT OF WORK Requiring Office Name: National Severe Storms Laboratory 145026-24-0009 1. Background and Purpose The Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) is a research radar platform for weather observations using Dual Polarization phased array technology. The ATD radar is owned and operated by the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and is housed at the National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) facility located in Norman, Oklahoma. The ATD employs a Far-Field antenna range to capture antenna dynamics for both azimuth and elevation patterns. The Far-Field consists of an outdoor Calibration Tower located 426 meters (~1,400 ft) from the base of the NWRT facility. NSSL requires four independent transmission lines to be affixed to the Calibration Tower as stated below. Currently, the Calibration tower utilizes a low-loss Heliax transmission line that runs from the Calibration Tower base to the Calibration Horn Radome assembly that is 150 feet above the base. It has been used for the ATD since 2018. During 2023 radar operations, we realized the existing transmission line has an intermittent short, which causes calibrations of the ATD to be incorrect. We need to replace this current line and obtain a spare to preclude downtime in the future. Additionally, the ATD program is now five years old, and NSSL recognizes that future expansion and capabilities of the Calibration Tower are needed. Obtaining two additional transmission lines will be beneficial and allow for future growth, including a Dual Polarization standard gain horn that will require independent transmission lines for both Horizontal and Vertical Polarization signals. 2. Scope and Objectives To physically remove and dispose of the current Heliax transmission line affixed to the Calibration Tower and to procure and install four independent runs of Heliax transmission lines that are greater than 150 feet in length on the Calibration Tower (including any required supporting structures and mounting hardware). One primary transmission line will connect the Calibration Horn Radome assembly to the Calibration Tower base; the other three will be protected and reserved for future expansion. This work will require heights that can exceed 150 feet above ground level; any applicable licensing, certification, and training for working at heights must be followed. 3. Product Specifications The ATD operates at a center frequency of 3,020 MHz with a 25 MHz span centered at 3,020 MHz. The operating frequency band necessary for the transmission lines need to be at a minimum 2,700 to 3,100 MHz span. The Calibration Tower is a 150’ Microflect self-supporting tower with an internal ladder. For RF transmission, it currently employs a continuous run of more than 150 ft of LDF5-50A, Heliax Low Density Foam Coaxial Cable, corrugated copper, 7/8 in, black PE jacket. LDF5-50A, Heliax Operational Characteristics: • Cable impedance 50 ohm +/- 1 ohm • Insulation resistance 100,000 MOhm • Operating Frequency 1 – 5000 MHz • Peak Power 91.0 KW • Brand – HELIAX • VSWR 1.13 at 24.30 dB return loss • Attenuation of 2.223 to 2.551 dB per 100 ft at 2,700 through 3,400 MHz frequency • Average Power rated at 1.25 to 1.09 KW at 2,700 through 3,400 MHz frequency There is an operational need for a frequency response of a pulse duration to be relatively flat from 3,000 to 3,040 MHz with a +/- 1 dB ripple tolerance in power. The replacement transmission line and the additional transmission lines do not have to be the same model as the LDF5-50A, so long as the selected replacement model transmission lines meet or exceed the specifications above. The brand of the replacement transmission line shall be Heliax type. All four transmission lines shall be terminated with N-type Male connectors on both ends. In addition to the current cable ladder running from the base of the tower to the top of the tower for cable support, it may be necessary to add one or more cable ladders in support of the additional transmission lines. Site visits are highly encouraged for any potential bidders. Any site visit performed by a potential bidder shall be on their own accord and at no cost to the Government. All site visits need to be requested through the Contracting Officer and then once approved, coordinated through the local site personnel at NSSL. SERVICES The contractor shall remove the existing Heliax type transmission line (including any mounting hardware that was used to affix the existing Heliax type transmission line and discarded) affixed to the Calibration Tower and properly dispose thereof. The contractor shall procure new Heliax type transmission line that can provide four independent lines with maintenance loops at both the top of the tower and within the Calibration Tower Base shelter that may exceed 150 ft in continuous length with all new mounting hardware and supporting structures to enable installation. Sweep tests shall be conducted on all four transmission lines prior to installation on the Calibration Tower to ensure proper cable characteristics per the specifications above (2,700 to 3,100 MHz span). More specifically, the 3,000 to 3,040 MHz region shall be verified that the frequency response is relatively flat in accordance with the specification above (+/- 1 dB ripple tolerance in power). An S21 and an S12 function shall be conducted to verify the proper frequency response. All validated testing results shall be disclosed prior to the actual installation of the four transmission lines on the Calibration Tower and accepted by the Government. Once all specifications are properly verified and accepted by the Government, the contractor shall install the four independent transmission lines on the Calibration Tower, including any mounting hardware and supporting structures to enable installation. The four independent transmission lines shall be properly grounded to the tower structure at both ends. The contractor shall connect one of the four transmission lines to the current Calibration Tower infrastructure that the removed transmission line resided in, such as connecting the Calibration Tower base to the Calibration Horn Radome assembly. The contractor shall ensure that the remaining three installed transmission lines are properly waterproofed for non-use while affixed to the Calibration Tower (all connectors must be properly terminated on both ends). Proper grounding of all transmission lines shall be verified after installation. At the conclusion of all prescribed work herein, the contractor shall deliver a documented report of the validated testing results and submitted with the close-out documents. The documented work shall identify any issues incurred during and/or after installation, if any. SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS The contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies, and materials necessary to perform the work annotated above, to include the proper disposal of any and all hardware such as the existing Heliax transmission line slated for replacement. DOWNTIME NSSL site personnel will assist the contractor with de-energization, lockout-tagout, and starting/stopping operation of the Calibration Tower as necessary for the work specified. NOTE: THE FIGURE IS FOUND IN THE COVER PAGE. Figure: The Calibration Tower is a 150’ Microflect self-supporting tower. RF equipment is located in the shelter at the base and connected to the antenna assembly (white radome near top) via Heliax low-loss RF transmission line. 4. Price Consideration (Do you require pricing by line item, one price for all items, pricing for options) Pricing shall be by a line item format (parts, labor and shipping to be charged separately). 5. Requested Delivery/Period of Performance Thirty days from the date of award is acceptable. 6. 12 month Option Period(s) Added N/A 7. Points of Contact for this Action TO BE PROVIDED AT TIME OF AWARD 8. Ship to Address: N/A. Please contact (TO BE PROVIDED AT TIME OF AWARD) for scheduling, building access, and if any items need to be shipped to NSSL.