Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

AMENDMENT 2: On 9 August 2022, this solicitation was amended to change the unit of issue from case (CS) to box (BX). Each box still contains 100 gloves. The quantity needed of Line Item 1 is increased... AMENDMENT 2: On 9 August 2022, this solicitation was amended to change the unit of issue from case (CS) to box (BX). Each box still contains 100 gloves. The quantity needed of Line Item 1 is increased to 700 boxes and the quantity needed of Line Item 2 is increased to 850 boxes. Finally, the closing date of the solicitation is extended to Thursday, 11 August at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. No other changes have been made. AMENDMENT 1: On 5 August 2022, this solicitation was amended to update the Nomenclature/Description of both Line Items to add the descriptor 2PRO™. The Part Number (PN) of Line Item 1 was corrected to 54422 and the PN of Line Item 2 was corrected to 54423. These same changes are reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions attachment. A final change made to the Terms and Conditions attachment was to the last item under the list of Salient Characteristics appearing on the first page. This was changed from 3.0 mil thick to 6.0 mil thick. No other changes have been made. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with (IAW) the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6 and part 13 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 70Z03822QK0000015 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2022-06, effective 26 May 2022. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 339113. The small business size standard is 750 employees. This solicitation is 100% set-aside for small business. It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price purchase order will be awarded on a brand name or equal basis for the items listed in the following Schedule of Supplies. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES Line Item 1 Nomenclature/Description: KleenGuard™ G10 2PRO™ Blue Nitrile Gloves, MEDIUM National Stock Number (NSN): 6515-01-653-2836 Part Number (PN): 54422 Quantity: 700 boxes (BX) Manufacturer CAGE Code: 0JM23 Required Delivery Date: two (2) weeks after receipt of order (ARO) Line Item 2 Nomenclature/Description: KleenGuard™ G10 2PRO™ Blue Nitrile Gloves, LARGE National Stock Number (NSN): 6515-01-653-2838 Part Number (PN): 54423 Quantity: 850 BX Manufacturer CAGE Code: 0JM23 Required Delivery Date: two (2) weeks after receipt of order (ARO) ? One box contains one hundred (100) gloves each. Instructions to offerors as well as a full description of the salient characteristics required of “equal to” items may be found in the Evaluation Criteria and Method section of the attached Terms and Conditions. Concerns having the expertise and required capabilities to provide these items or an equal alternative are invited to submit offers in accordance with the requirements stipulated in this solicitation. All items shall be NEW approved items. Quotes shall contain the offeror’s best terms for delivery and cost/price of the required Kimberly-Clark brand or equivalent nitrile gloves. Consistent with the Evaluation Criteria, technical acceptability and delivery, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The USCG requires delivery of these items in two weeks after contract award. NOTE: NO DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, OR SCHEMATICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE USCG. Please carefully review this solicitation’s attachments for additional information on this requirement including evaluation criteria, salient characteristics, and applicable clauses. Terms and Conditions The closing date and time for receipt of offers is 11 August 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Anticipated award date is on or about 15 August 2022. Email quotations are preferred and may be sent to Geneva.K.James@uscg.mil. Please indicate 70Z03822QK0000015 in the subject line. NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS United States Coast Guard Ombudsman Program It is the policy of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to issue solicitations and make contract awards in a fair and timely manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to investigate agency protest issues and resolve them without expensive and time- consuming litigation. OPAP is an independent reviewing authority that is empowered to grant a prevailing protester essentially the same relief as the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to seek resolution of their concerns within the USCG as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) forum rather than filing a protest with the GAO or some external forum. Interested parties may seek resolution of their concerns informally or opt to file a formal agency protest with the Contracting Officer or Ombudsman. Informal Forum with the Ombudsman. Interested parties who believe a specific USCG procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer. If the Contracting Officer is unable to satisfy their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Use of an informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a protest with the agency or other forum. In order to ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable). Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman. Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions. If the protester’s concerns are unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest to either the Contracting Officer or as an alternative to that, the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract award or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless contract award or performance is justified, in writing, for urgent and compelling reasons or is determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government. The agency’s goal is to resolve protests in less than 35 calendar days from the date of filing. Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.103(d) (2). If the protester fails to submit the required information, resolution of the protest may be delayed or the protest may be dismissed. To be timely protests must be filed within the period specified in FAR 33.103(e). Formal protests filed under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to OPAP@uscg.mil and the Contracting Officer or by hand delivery to the Contracting Officer. Election of Forum. After an interested party protests a Coast Guard procurement to the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman, and while the protest is pending, the protester agrees not to file a protest with the GAO or other external forum. If the protest is filed with an external forum, the agency protest will be dismissed.