SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS: Note that this is NOT a request for quotes or proposals; the 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, NE, is seeking information for market research purposes only for the following items listed below:
This is a Sources Sought announcement. The 55 Contracting Squadron is conducting market research on: Fuel Tank Tightness Testing
Description of Services: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform UST testing as defined in this PWS except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. Please see attached performance work statement (PWS) for more information.
We believe the NAICS for this product to be 213112 – Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations and PSC H291. If you believe this incorrect, please feel free to let me know what NAICS/PSC better fits the criteria.
Your response shall include the following information:
- Capability Statement Format
- A capability statement should be very brief and specifically related to the needs of the agency you are targeting. Preferably it is only one page, one side. Go to two sides only if absolutely necessary. Your Capability Statement should be a living document that will change depending on the targeted agency. Develop a master copy that can be tailored to a government sector, project or sources sought notice as needed. Save the document with your company's name in the file name. Distribute your Capability Statement as a PDF, not in Word, PowerPoint or other format. Many federal agencies block Word and Publisher documents; a PDF file is safer, usually smaller and will stay visually consistent when emailed. You have limited space, so be sure to stress your competencies, set-aside eligibility and past performance. The five key areas included in a successful effective capability statement are:
- Core Competencies - this should not be everything your business is able to do. Use bullet points and short statements of your expertise as it relates to your target agency's specific needs.
- Differentiators - list unique factors and benefits of your products or services that set you apart from the competition. How is your business best suited for the needs of the targeted agency? A clear statement that relates to the specific needs of the agency can help the customer understand why they should choose your firm.
- Past Performance - list past customers for whom you have done similar work, show benefit to the customer and provide contact reference. Pictures are worth a thousand words and save space if relevant. If past projects do not relate to the targeted agency's needs, do not list them.
- Company data - include one or two short sentences of your company description, including number of employees and capacity. Also list DUNS, CAGE Code, NAICS codes, and any set-aside eligibility that your business holds, such as Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), 8(a) Certification, HUBZone, or Small Disadvantaged Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
- Contact information - show contact information, including website and specific person's name. Readers will visit your website for more information; make sure it is constantly updated and provide "hot link" for direct access. List a professional email. Government agencies many times block Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail accounts as junk mail. Your internet provider will typically offer professional addresses with your subscription.
- Contract Vehicles in which you participate (Federal and State) (If Applicable)
Documentation of technical expertise and capability must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition (see Statement of Need below). It is imperative that business concerns responding to this sources sought articulate their capabilities clearly and adequately.
The information should be sent to 55 CONS preferably via e-mail to Jacob Saunders at jacob.saunders.3@us.af.mil by 10:00AM Central Standard Time on 24 March 2022.
IF A SOLICITATION IS ISSUED IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement.
Statement of Work (SOW)
Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL) Underground Storage Tank Testing
General Information
- General:
This is a non-personal service contract to provide Underground Storage Tank (UST) testing. The government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the contractor who, in turn is responsible to the government.
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- Description of Services/Introduction:
The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform UST testing as defined in this PWS except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.
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- Background:
Offutt Air Force Base, NE (OAFB), located near Bellevue, Nebraska, is home of the 55th Wing. That operate forty-six (46) aircraft and hundreds of support vehicles, that all need fuel and petroleum products, stored on site. This requires underground storage tanks that need tightness testing per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.
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- Objectives:
Provide a complete tank tightness test and report the findings for the seven (7) USTs and associated piping/pumps, listed below.
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- Scope:
The contractor shall provide all management, tools, supplies, equipment, and labor necessary to complete tank tightness tests and associated piping of seven (7) of the USTs at OAFB in compliance with Nebraska Law (NE Title 159, Chapter 5). As well as Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 40, Part 280, Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements for Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks (UST). Contractor shall determine best testing practices for each tank, and submit plans for approval before work begins. Plans will be submitted at lease two (2) weeks prior to scheduled work.
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- Period of Performance:
The period of performance (PoP) shall be for one (1) Base Year of twelve (12) months. This will include one test and report for each tank to be completed within the PoP.
1.6 General Information:
1.6.1 Quality Control Program:
The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective Quality Control Program (QCP) to ensure services are performed in accordance with (IAW) this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s QCP is how they assure themselves that their work complies with the requirement of the contract. This shall be delivered to the Contracting Officer (CO) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) within thirty (30) calendar days after contract award. One (1) copy of a comprehensive written QCP shall be submitted to the CO and/or COR within five (5) calendar days when any changes are made thereafter for review and acceptance by the CO and/or COR. After acceptance of the QCP changes, the contractor will receive, in writing, acceptance or denial of any proposed changes from the contractor’s QCP.
1.6.2 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan:
The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract IAW the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed IAW the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rates.
1.6.3 Recognized Holidays:
Contractor is not required to work on any of the following federal holidays.
New Year’s Day – 1 January
Martin Luther King Day – 3rd Monday in January
Washington’s Birthday – 3rd Monday in February
Memorial Day – last Monday in May
Juneteenth – 19 June
Independence Day – 4 July
Labor Day – 1st Monday in September
Columbus Day – 2nd Monday in October
Veteran’s Day – 11 November
Thanksgiving Day – 4th Thursday in November
Christmas Day – 25 December
1.6.4 Hours of Operation:
The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:30am to 4:30pm, local time, Monday thru Friday, except federal holidays mentioned above, or when the government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The contractor must, at all times, maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.
1.6.5 Place of Performance:
The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at Offutt Air Force Base, NE and satellite facilities at Elkhorn, NE and Scribner, NE.
1.6.6 Type of Contract:
The government will award a firm fixed price contract.
1.6.7 Security Requirements:
Contractor personnel performing work under this contract must be able to obtain access to OAFB, by having favorable clearance at time of the contract award.
1.6.7.1 Physical Security:
The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.
1.6.7.2 Key Control:
The contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the contractor by the government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the contractor by the government shall be duplicated. The contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the QCP. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the CO and/or COR.
In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the contractor shall, upon direction of the CO, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the next payment due the contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the government and the total cost deducted from the next payment due the contractor.
The contractor shall prohibit the use of government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than by contractor employees. The contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the CO.
1.6.7.3 Lock Combinations:
The contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.
1.6.8 Special Qualifications:
Contractors inspection team must include a Class A Operator as defined by CFR Title 40 part 280.
1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings:
The contractor agrees to attend any post award conference(s) convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office IAW the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Subpart 42.5. The CO, COR, and other government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the CO will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the government of problems, if any are being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.
1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative:
The COR will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions:
- Assure the contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract.
- Performs inspections necessary in connection with contract performance.
- Maintains written and oral communications with the contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract.
- Issues written interpretations of technical requirements, including government drawings, designs, and specifications.
- Monitors contractor's performance and notifies both the CO and contractor of any deficiencies.
- Coordinates availability of government furnished property.
- Provides site entry (or escort) for contractor personnel.
A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially regarding changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.
1.6.11 Key Personnel:
The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of all work performed by the contractor. The name and contact information for this person, and an alternate, who shall have the ability to act on behalf of the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the CO and/or COR. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act on behalf of the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager, or alternate, shall be available between 7:30am and 4:30pm, local time, Monday thru Friday, except federal holidays listed above, or when the government facility is closed for administrative or other reasons.
1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees:
All contractor personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor’s status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.
1.6.13 Data Rights
The government has unlimited rights to all documents and material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be government owned, and are the property of the government, with all rights and privileges of ownership and copyright belonging exclusively to the government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the CO. All materials must be turned over to the government, and shall be the sole property of the government, and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not repeal, or do away with, any other government rights.
1.6.14 Organizational Conflict of Interest:
Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to, or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.), or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR, Subpart 9.5. The contractor shall notify the CO and/or COR immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the CO and/or COR to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the CO, and in the event the CO unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the CO may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.
DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS
- Definitions and Acronyms:
2.1. Definitions:
Contractor: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.
Contracting Officer: A person with authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.
Contracting Officer’s Representative: A government employee appointed by the Contracting Officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing, shall state the scope of authority, and limitations. This individual has the authority to provide technical direction to the contractor if that direction is within the scope of the contract, and does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does not have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.
Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.
Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-manufactured items such as meeting minutes and/or reports.
Key Personnel: Contractor personnel that are required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the Performance Work Statement.
Physical Security: Actions that prevent the loss or damage of government property.
Quality Assurance: The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.
Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.
Quality Control: All necessary measures taken by the contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.
Subcontractor: One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.
Workday: The number of hours per day the contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.
Workweek: Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.
2.2 Acronyms:
AAFES Army & Air Force Exchange Service
AFJAM Air Force Joint Manual
AGE Air Ground Support Equipment
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CO Contracting Officer
COMM Communications
COR Contracting Officer Representative
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation
HQ Headquarters (Bldg. 500)
OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest
OAFB Offutt Air Force Base
PIPO Phase In/Phase Out
POC Point of Contact
POL Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant
PRS Performance Requirements Summary
PWS Performance Work Statement
QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan
QCP Quality Control Program
TE Technical Exhibit
UST Underground Storage Tank
- Performance Requirements Summary:
The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.
Performance Objective
Standard
Performance Threshold
Method of Surveillance
The contractor shall provide testing for each tank listed in Estimated Workload Data.
The contractor must follow CFR 40, Part 280 and
AFJAM 23-209, Enclosure 3.
Zero (0) missed tanks per delivery period.
Periodic inspections.
- Deliverables Schedule
Deliverable
Frequency
# of Copies
Medium/Format
Submit To
Testing report
Para 1.4.
Within ten (10) business day of test completion.
One (1) copy per tank tested.
Microsoft Office format compatible.
CO and/or COR identified at post award conference.
Testing Plan Para 1.4
Two (2) weeks prior to start of work.
One (1) copy per tank tested.
Microsoft Office format compatible
CO and/or COR identified at post award conference.
- Estimated Workload Data
ITEM
NAME
Product
Tank Size
200-1
Elkhorn
Diesel
15,000gal
706-1
Scribner
Diesel
560gal
354-1
Power Station
Diesel
500gal
500-1
HQ
Diesel
25,000gal
500-2
HQ
Diesel
25,000gal
507-1
COMM
Diesel
3,000gal
565-1
Generator
Diesel
4,000gal
