Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

USACE Jacksonville District is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for... USACE Jacksonville District is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for necessary Uniform Services to the field staff at the North Florida Aquatic Plant Control Field Unit. The proposed project will be a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract with a base of twelve (12) months and four (4) option years of twelve (12) months each for Uniform Services. The Jacksonville District anticipates the issuance of a Solicitation in January 2021. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. This is NOT a solicitation. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of industry, namely the Small Business Community, Small Business (Section 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned (WOSB) and Historically Underutilized (HUBZone) concerns). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Description of Services: The scope of work is as described. Provide specified uniform items for designated employees initially and on a weekly basis, provide required floor mat for the shop on a weekly basis, and provide hand soap and dispenser, and stock the hand soap dispenser on a monthly basis. The uniforms will consist of a choice of light colors (currently green) and fabrics to include; coveralls, shirts and pants. The fabric choices will include lightweight materials that provide maximum comfort in the Florida heat. Cotton/polyester blends have been used in the past, but any new fabrics could be suggested as an option for improved breathability. We would like two (2) weeks’ worth of coveralls (4), shirts (12) and pants (12), per employee, for a total of 28 articles of clothing, per employee. A total of 8 complete sets of uniforms, 2 coveralls and a 3X10 floor mat will be picked up and delivered weekly. Liquid hand soap with a dispenser will be provided at least each month or as needed. Pick-up and delivery must be scheduled during working hours on Monday or Thursday of the week. Uniform delivery needs to be made on Monday or Thursday of each week during working hours. The delivery day can be set up for Monday or Thursday but must remain consistent once a day is chosen. A set of uniforms (1 weeks’ worth) will include 2 coveralls, 6 shirts and 6 pants for a change of clothes each day, of the five-day work week, and a spare uniform set. The spare uniform will rarely be used, but is provided in case of an herbicide spill, getting on the employees’ clothing and needing to be changed quickly. Therefore, each employee will receive 14 articles of clothing each week: 2 coveralls, 6 shirts, 6 pants totaling 14. We allow the Mechanic and Crew lead to substitute denim jeans for the other Cotton Polyester blend pants. Uniforms will be made of a cotton/polyester blend and should be light in color. Uniform color is currently light green shirts with darker green pants. We are open to recommendations to cooler color combinations, such as, white shirts and khaki pants. We will need a second set of clothing for the week that the uniforms are being laundered. This means that each employee will be provided 28 total articles of clothing. The worn or soiled clothing is to be picked up and a new set of clean clothes dropped off, for the following weeks’ rotation. The soiled clothing is to be cleaned with hypoallergenic laundry detergent and water or other suitable solvents or soaps to remove most of the dirt, grime, chemicals and smells. Dry cleaning or other suitable methods are permitted. Any article that is heavily stained and does not come clean, during regular cleaning, shall be replaced with a new article of clothing for a fee (it is fairly uncommon for uniforms to get so soiled that they will not come clean and replacement is rare with our employee’s). All clothing items will be wrinkle free and hung on wire clothes hangers, or hangers of other suitable material, bundled or fastened together at the top with plastic or wire ties. Each employee’s name or initials will be printed or sewn inside of the waistband and collar of their coveralls, pants and shirts. Employees are responsible for reporting unsatisfactory clothing through handwritten notes or other suitable correspondence to the delivery person or driver. Upon notification the contractor has some time to replace the article as we have allowed a spare set of work uniforms The Contractor shall provide and position weekly (install/roll out) a 3’ x 10’ chemical resistant, rented rug that is non-skid, carpeted rug, on one side with rubber floor mat on the bottom. Rug shall be properly cleaned each week with solvents or other non-hazardous cleaning materials, sufficient to remove; grease dirt and grime, for the shop office area each week during the uniform drop-off/pickup time. The contractor needs to supply at least two rugs so that one can be used during the week that the other is being cleaned. These rugs will be of industrial grade quality with no frayed or separating pieces that could possibly be considered a tripping hazard. Rugs with flaws or problems will be reported to the driver upon pick- up/delivery as unacceptable. The Contractor has one week to replace damaged or stained rug. The Contractor shall provide heavy-duty soy-based hand cleaner with abrasive walnut shells, pumice or other suitable non-toxic scrubbing aids. These have been proven to be superior and safer for our employees that wash their hands regularly. Contractor will provide a product data sheet for soap to COR for approval. Heavy duty hand-cleaner shall come with a dispenser or have a dispenser provided, rented or otherwise. Contractor shall maintain enough soap in the dispenser to last through the following week or until the next pickup/drop-off of the following month, plus one full container that can be replaced upon running out of hand cleaner (between pick-ups and drop offs). Mechanic is responsible for reporting any problems with dispenser during pick-up/delivery and the problem must be fixed immediately to allow employees to clean their hands during that delivery week. The Mechanic will inform Contractor when soap is needed. Firm’s response to this Synopsis shall be limited to 12 pages and shall include the following information: 1. Firm’s name, address, point of contact, phone number, website, and email address. 2. Firm’s interest in bidding on the solicitation when it is issued. 3. Firm’s capability to perform a contract of this magnitude and complexity (include firm’s capability to execute comparable work performed within the past 5 years: - Brief description of the project, customer name, timeliness of performance, customer satisfaction, and dollar value of the project) – provide at least 3 examples. 4. Firm’s Business category and Business Size –Other than Small, Small Business, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, or HUBzone. If your firm is a Small Business, be sure you understand the performance of work requirements for your specific socioeconomic category. i.e. SB, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, or HUBZone. 5. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, firms should address the structure of such arrangements to include Joint Venture information if applicable – existing and potential. All responses to this sources sought notice/market research will be evaluated and used in determining acquisition strategy. NOTES: DO NOT SUMBIT A RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS IF YOU DO NOT INTEND TO BID ON THIS PROJECT. DO NOT SUBMIT PROPRIETARY AND/OR BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL DATA. Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the above-listed project are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by no later than 28 December 2020 at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Prior Government contract work is not required for submitting a response under this sources sought synopsis. You must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to receive a Government contract award. To register go to SAM.GOV.