Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of any firm eligible to compete under NAICS 238210 El... SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of any firm eligible to compete under NAICS 238210 Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors with a Small Business Size Standard of $19M for an upcoming removal and reinstallation of Cat6e network wiring service. The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) located in Madison, WI maintains Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) containment laboratories for diagnostics, research and analysis involving contagious biological agents such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, white-nose syndrome, plague, monkeypox, West Nile virus, chronic wasting disease, and yet to be discovered infectious agents. To achieve a safer, more efficient, and useful management system of both records and supplies the NWHC Jennifer E. Brunner Animal Isolation Wing (AIW) requires wireless installation. The AIW contains sixteen Biosafety Level 3 enhanced (BSL3+) rooms where currently, all records including husbandry, veterinary medicine and study specific records are transcribed on paper. Because the studies conducted in the AIW use infectious diseases, some of which can cause disease in agricultural animals and humans, we follow best practice for biosafety and security (as established by the USDA and CDC for work with these diseases). Best practice requires that paper records remain in containment or be disinfected before they can leave the facility. The process of hand-scanning in a plastic sheath or disinfecting paper records can lead to significant loss of quality and readability. In addition, after leaving the AIW paper record is organized, sorted, required portions are transcribed into records management software (MLIMS, excel, etc), and then prepared for storage. Paper records are stored in numerus hard copy binders sorted by AIW room and date. This system lacks efficiency, accessibility of records for pulling up information, lacks ability to back-up the original record, and allows for human error throughout the process. The addition of wireless in the AIW would improve documentation and records storage and greatly increase the efficiency of animal studies conducted at NWHC. It would update the record management of the AIW into the current professional standard allowing for accreditations like AALAC, which the Center, as directed by USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, strives to achieve. Similarly, the AIW¿s inventories including veterinary medicine and supplies, husbandry, and study specific supplies contain some of the same concerns and would be greatly improved with the addition of wireless in the AIW. Updating the AIW inventory system to include a barcode and/or QR code system connected to the wireless network will remove duplicate data entry, improve data controls, improve efficient use of time, and provide a solution to the need for an accessible data management system. The installation of wireless in the AIW will allow the NWHC to be compliant with USGS data management and records management requirements. In October 2019, PDS completed a survey to determine the needs for wireless installation in the AIW. Using these results, below are the necessary equipment and capabilities for wireless in the AIW. Specifically, the submitted reported proposed 2.4 GHz (802.11g) and 5.0 GHz (802.11ac/n/a) coverage and access point placement recommendations (appendix 1: PDS wireless survey results). The survey was performed based on wireless data and voice grade (VoWLAN) operation practices and both radios transmitting at 11dBm (15mW) transmit power. This relatively low transmit power is selected as a typical low end handheld device capability, and aids in meeting the requirement to minimize outdoor exposure (required by USGS). The benchmark signal strength was set at no less than 68dBm at 5 GHz for designated coverage areas with 20% cell overlap for roaming corridors. Based on this review, the list below details the specification for the installation to enable the AIW for wireless access. Capabilities/Equipment: NWHC requires a contractor to install wireless that meets the specifications and performance of the attached wireless survey results from PDS. - Cabling to connect wireless access points and switches - 2 power cords ¿ US localization - Contractor installs the wireless access points along with chemical proof housings that will also be provided by NWHC. - Installation and configuration for access points and switches¿estimated at about a week of time THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION AS REQUESTED BY THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR. Submission is voluntary. A scope of work will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued. The Government is not required to issue a solicitation. Responses to this announcement are requested from (A) SBA certified Small Business HubZone firms; (B) Small Business firms certified by a Small Business Administration (SBA) district or regional office for participation in the 8(a) program; (C) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small Business firms; (D) Small Businesses; (E) Women Owned Small Businesses; and (F) Large Businesses. In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned, HUBZone, etc.) This information will assist the Government in determining how small businesses can fit into the acquisition strategy. Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (A) through (E) above, any solicitation may be issued as unrestricted without further consideration. Interested business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including an active SAM Registration); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and their point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor etc.) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS, (4) Active SAM Registration. All responses must be submitted NLT August 4, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET Time via e-mail to: probinson@usgs.gov. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website and no paper copies will be provided. If a solicitation is released, in order to receive an award your company must have an active SAM Unique Identification and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the RFP or the On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) also located at the SAM website before an award to your company can be made. Your on-line ORCA registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.