Amendment 1:

The purpose of this Amendment is to address the below question regarding this solicitation:

Question: Is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services, if similar services have been performed in the past, or if this is a new requirement.

Answer: There is no incumbent contractor. Similar products have been procured in the past.

DESCRIPTION:

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A SEPARATE WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED.  THE SOLICITATION IS BEING ISSUED USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES.

This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-08, effective July 14, 2020.

The Materials Science and Engineering Division's Center for Theoretical and Computational Materials Science operates a computational cluster, for which additional capacity is required. The current acquisition will enhance the capability of this cluster by increasing the computational resources available to users for scientific computing. The requirement consists of a number of high-concurrency high-performance computer systems suitable for integration into a resource-managed cluster computing system, and interconnection infrastructure for these systems. These systems will be inserted into existing cabinets and use existing connection infrastructure, so equipment racks and cabling are not included in this requirement.

The objective of this solicitation is to establish a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order based on the specifications described in the attached Statement of Requirements.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334118- Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,000 Employees. This acquisition is being procured as a Total Small Business Set Aside.  Only quotes submitted by qualified small business concerns will be considered. If the Contractor’s representations and certifications in SAM.gov do not reflect the NAICS code governing this solicitation, Contractors must submit documentation that they are a small business under the NAICS code governing this solicitation.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

All Quoters shall provide a Firm-Fixed-Price quotation for the following line items:

Line Item 0001: Fifteen (15) high-concurrency, high-performance computer systems - In accordance with the Statement of Requirements, inclusive of F.O.B Destination shipping.

Line Item 0002: One (1) additional high-concurrency, high-performance computer system - In accordance with the Statement of Requirements, inclusive of F.O.B Destination shipping.

Line Item 0003: One (1) additional high-concurrency, high-performance computer system - In accordance with the Statement of Requirements, inclusive of F.O.B Destination shipping.

Line Item 0004: One (1) additional high-concurrency, high-performance computer system - In accordance with the Statement of Requirements, inclusive of F.O.B Destination shipping.

INSTRUCTIONS:

System for Award Management Registration

In accordance with FAR 52.204-7, the awardee must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov) prior to award.  Refusal to register shall forfeit award.

Completed Solicitation Provisions

A completed version of all required solicitation provisions (see attached provisions/clauses document – required submissions highlighted in blue). 

Due Date for Quotations and Questions

All quotations must be submitted via e-mail to Sadaf Afkhami, at [email protected] with a carbon copy to Donald Graham, at [email protected]. Submissions must be received no later than 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on August 5, 2020. FAX quotations will not be accepted. Please reference the RFQ number in the subject line of e-mail communications.  Quotes shall not be deemed received by the Government until the quotation has entered the e-mail inbox of the individual(s) set forth above.

Questions: All questions regarding this notice must be submitted via e-mail to Sadaf Afkhami, at [email protected], with a carbon copy to Donald Graham, at [email protected], no later than 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 28, 2020.

Quotation Preparation Instructions

 Technical Quotation: The Quoter shall submit an electronic copy of the technical quotation, which shall fully describe the following:

1. Provide demonstrating capabilities meeting or exceeding the stated specifications and equipment required in accordance with the Statement of Requirements.
2. Quoter’s ability to meet the required delivery schedule.

Price Quotation: The Quoter shall submit an electronic copy of the price quotation, which shall entail a separate firm-fixed-price, FOB Destination, for each CLIN. The price quotation shall include a cover page with the following information:

1. The solicitation number 1333ND20QNB640476.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the Quoter.
3. Active DUNS # for the SAM registration.
4. A total firm-fixed price for the requirement, which shall be the sum of the firm-fixed prices proposed for each of the required line items.
5. Any applicable discount terms.
6. A statement that the Contractor agrees to all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. If the Contractor objects to any of the terms and conditions contained in this solicitation, the Contractor shall state “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:” [Contractor shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s)].  It is the sole responsibility of the Contractor to identify in their quote any exceptions to the terms and conditions of the solicitation.  If the Contractor does not include such a statement, the submission of a quotation in response to this solicitation will be regarded as the Contractor’s acceptance of the Government’s terms and conditions for inclusion into the resultant purchase order.
7. A statement that the quotation is valid for a minimum of 60 days from the response deadline of this solicitation.

EVALUATION CRITERIA & BASIS FOR AWARD:

The Government intends to award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Contractor whose quotation, conforming to the solicitation, provides the lowest priced, technically acceptable quote.

Technical: The Government will evaluate the Contractor's quote for the following:

1. Meets or exceeds the minimum equipment specifications listed within the Statement of Requirements; and
2. Offeror’s ability to meet the required delivery schedule. 

Price: The price evaluation will determine whether the quoted prices are fair and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements.  Quoted prices shall be entirely compatible with the technical quotations.

Please note that this procurement IS NOT being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC).  If a contractor submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price.  However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the contractor’s FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation.

PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES:

The clauses and provisions applicable to this solicitation can be found under Applicable Clauses & Provisions. The full text of a FAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at https://farsite.hill.af.mil or www.acquisition.gov/far.  The full text of a CAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at https://farsite.hill.af.mil or http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/.

ATTACHMENTS:

The following attachments apply to this solicitation:

1. The Statement of Requirements

2. Applicable Clauses & Provisions