This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are requested. A written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number for this Request for Quotes (RFQ) is 583-32-05. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 25 (November 04, 2004). This procurement is 100% set-aside for small business concerns. The NAICS code for this procurement is 611699, All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction, and the small business size standard is $6.0 million. VISN 11 Contract Service Center intends to award a Firm Fixed Price contract to provide two-day retirement conferences at VA Medical Centers at the following locations on the following dates: Battle Creek, Michigan: February 28-March 01, 2005 Ann Arbor, Michigan: March 2-3, 2005 Saginaw, Michigan: March 7-8, 2005 Marian, Indiana: March 21-22, 2005 Indianapolis, Indiana: March 24-25, 2005 Danville, Illinois: March 28-29, 2005 The two-day conference at each site shall be held from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm each day for unlimited attendance of staff at each facility. The contractor shall provide evidence that they have excellent knowledge of both FERS and CSRS retirement systems. The title for the morning presentation shall be “Planning for Retirement—FERS.” The title for the afternoon presentation shall be “Planning for Retirement—CSRS.” Day two will repeat the same topics to allow maximum number of staff attendance. In conducting these conferences, the Contractor shall present information to enable each staff to gain an understanding of their retirement system and benefit entitlement; assist them in making prudent decisions such as when is the best time to retire, the benefit of buying back military or deposit service, election of survivor’s benefit, moving health and life insurance into retirement, and costs associated with this move. The quote shall include a total price for each location, divided into two (2) line items: 1) Job price, and 2) Travel expenses. The government will take total price into consideration when considering for award, and encourages offerors to develop innovative solutions to reduce travel costs. The government will limit reimbursement for travel expenses to the rates considered reasonable and allowable as established in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31.205-46. Travel expenses are subject to the following conditions: a. Reimbursement for lodging, meals and incidental expenses shall be limited to the rates or amounts considered reasonable and allowable as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31.205-46. In general, airfare (if airfare is deemed necessary) shall be limited to the lowest standard or coach fares available, unless documented and justified. To access allowable rates, visit http://www.fedtravel.com/gsa/. b. Lodging, subsistence and other incidental expenses shall normally be limited to the ceiling amounts established in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for Federal civilian employees; such ceilings are established by city and state. To access these rates, visit http://policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/homepage/mtt/perdiem/travel.htm, and select the related state and city. In special or unusual situations, actual costs in excess of the maximum per diem rates may be allowable, provided they do not exceed the higher actual cost amounts authorized for Federal civilian employees in the JTR and that all four (4) of the conditions in FAR 31.205-46(a)(3) are satisfied. Subject to the constraints of FAR 31.109 (c), advance agreement with the Contracting Officer regarding the amounts/rates to be reimbursed is recommended. No travel expenses shall be reimbursed under this contract unless advance written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). For the purposes of reimbursement, the contract/purchase order shall be modified to reflect incorporation of all approved travel expenses into the contract. The government reserves the right to award one (1) line item, all line items, or a combination therof. This procurement will be conducted in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 13.5. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial, applies. The government will award to the Offeror who provides best value in terms of technical capability, price and past performance. Provide (1) the number and description of the Federal benefits seminars conducted over the past 5 years; (2) number of years experience conducting Federal Benefits seminars of the size and scope required herein. Offerors shall complete and include the FAR provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer. The FAR and VAAR clauses at 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. In addition, the following FAR and VAAR clauses apply: 52.232-34 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than Central Contractor Registration, 52.222-26-Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35-Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans, 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration, 52.216-18 Ordering, 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services, 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, 52.228-5 Insurance--Work on a Government Installation, 52.232-18 Availability of Funds, 52.233-2 Service of Protest, 852.237-70 Contractor Responsibilities, 852.237-71 Indemnification & Insurance, 852.270-1 Representatives of Contract Officers, 852.270-4 Commercial Advertising, 852.233-70 Protest Content, and 852.233-71 Alternate Protest Procedure. The FAR is found on the Internet at the following address: http://www.arnet.gov/far ; the VAAR is found on the Internet at: http://www1.va.gov/oamm/vaar/. Quotes are due no later than 4:30pm (local time), Friday, September 23, 2004. Faxed quotes are acceptable. Fax to: ATTN: Scottie Paramoure, (317) 554-0200. Contact Scottie Paramoure by phone at (317) 554-1749. NOTE: All offerors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration to be eligible for award. To register, visit http://www.ccr.gov/.

Bid Protests Not Available