1.0 Description

1.1 The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) office of Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) is seeking information to determine if any companies are able to supply both General Music Classroom Instruments (for Elementary and Middle schools) and Band Musical Instruments (for Middle and High Schools) within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 451140 (Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores). To be clear, DDESS is interested in learning if any companies can provide both categories of instruments. Please see attached lists of category samplings.

1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, DDESS is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 Background

DDESS Schools utilize musical instruments and band instruments throughout its schools. As new schools are built, DDESS will require these schools with a full range of musical instruments. DDESS envisions acquiring all of these instruments from multiple sources through the use of Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts.

3.0 Requested Information

DDESS requests vendors registered themselves as "interested vendors" if they are able to supply both categories of musical instruments.

4.0 Responses

4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI.

5.0 Industry Discussions

DDESS representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks.

6.0 Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer's email address. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after June 11th, 2012 at 1:00 PM EST will be answered.

7.0 Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide both General Classroom Musical Instruments and Band Musical Instruments. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. DDESS has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.