Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract for ALU Library RFID on an SOLE SOURCE basis, but is seeking vendors that may be... SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract for ALU Library RFID on an SOLE SOURCE basis, but is seeking vendors that may be able to perform this requirement in order to support a competitive procurement. Accordingly, the U.S. Government highly encourages all interested businesses (large and small) to respond to this sources sought synopsis. In addition, small businesses, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), must describe their identifying capabilities in meeting the requirements at a fair market price, i.e., information which may help support a set-aside. The proposed sole source contract to Bibliotheca LLC for a mix of new Bibliotheca and older 3M equipment to provide RFID enabled security for its circulation of book/media items, book/media inventory processes, and security gates with counter of people and equipment. The ALU Library is seeking to upgrade and replace its outdated 3M RFID workstation equipment with a current product line that is in warranty and can be serviced. The existing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) workstation in the library are 10+ years old. They are 3M products and 3M sold off this product line years ago and does not service them. The current vendor, Bibliotheca cannot provide ALU Library with a life-span on these 3M RFID workstations. Additionally, the ALU Library is seeking a service and maintenance contract that will provide dedicated service to its existing 4 sets of security gates and 2 self-check 500 Kiosks and 1 mobile DLA. The security gates and self-check machines are new, but will require updates from the vendor to keep them working appropriately as designed. The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is IAW 41 United States Code 1901 as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.501(a)(1)(ii), sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial items. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The NAICS code(s) is/are: 334419, Other Electronic Component Manufacturing, 750. In response to this sources sought, please provide: 1. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solution solutions. Also contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at scott.d.kukes.civ@mail.mil or 210-466-3015, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the Sources Sought Synopsis. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion. 2. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code. 3. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any. 4. Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination. Tailor the information requested to the requirement, e.g. lead time for implementation, proposed solution, alternative solution, security clearances, bonding requirements, etc., as applicable. 5. Information to help determine if the requirement (item or service) is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing, catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc. 6. Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition, including competition among small business concerns. 7. Recommendations to improve the Army's approach/specifications to acquiring the identified items/services.