The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking sources for the Fuel Compliance Officer (FCO) Program Competitive Sourcing Study. The Fuel Compliance Program is responsible for monitoring compliance with fuel tax laws by inspecting the flow of diesel fuel throughout the fuel distribution system. IRS initiated the FCO program to promote and ensure voluntary compliance with the dyed fuel tax laws of the United States. The FCO’s perform inspections of diesel fuel storage and transportation tanks ensures that fuel in the commerce stream is properly dyed, sold, and used in compliance with diesel fuel laws. The IRS imposes taxes on taxable fuel per Internal Revenue Codes (IRCs) 4041, 4081, 4082, 4083, and 4091 and penalties for the misuse of taxable fuel per IRC 6715. Taxable fuel is defined in IRC 4083 as gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene. Diesel fuel is any liquid (other than gasoline) that without further processing or blending, is suitable for use in diesel-powered highway vehicle, train, or boat. This monitoring is done primarily through physical inspection of diesel fuel through the fuel distribution system- from the terminals through distributors to end-users. The FCO’s conduct four primary types of inspections: terminal inspections, wholesale/retail inspections (can be service stations or truck stops also), end-user inspections (farmers, home heating oil customers, trucking and construction companies), and on-road vehicle screenings. Prior to conducting the inspections, FCO’s are responsible for researching potential inspection candidates provided to them by their managers, and for coordinating with State officials the times and date of any upcoming on-road screening inspections. Fuel volume collected for testing is generally in a quantity not to exceed four ounces per sample. Following the inspections, the FCO’s will prepare the fuel samples collected and ship them using IRS FedEx contract to a specified IRS required laboratory. FCO’s are required to use the IRS ExFon database system to enter inspection-related information such as: dates, times and location of inspection, results of inspection, taxpayer and fuel distributor information and comments. The element of the FCO program that is the candidate for the A-76 competition comprises the fuel compliance officers (the inspectors) in the field, their first line managers, and the manager’s associated administrative staff. The remaining element of the FCO program is deemed inherently governmental; and therefore not in scope for this study. There are currently five geographic territories and Territory Managers that are responsible for inspections throughout the United States. There are approximately 140 Fuel Compliance Officers in the five territories. All employees need to be able to pass the IRS Minimum Background Investigation requirements and may require a medical physical examination once every 2 years. Service Providers should identify any information they consider to be sensitive or proprietary . The objective of this Sources Sought announcement is to obtain capabilities statements, based on the requirements outlines above, from all interested businesses (large and small). Responses to this request will assist the Government in determining whether to set-aside or restrict competition in some way, or whether to solicit offers from all responsible sources. Respondents should identify their interest as either a Prime Contractor or a Subcontractor. Should the procurement be set-aside for small business, FAR clause 52.219-4 “Limitations on Subcontracting “ (DEC 1996) will apply. A small business interested in bidding as a prime contractor under a set-aside program must provide sufficient information to demonstrate that compliance with this requirement can be met. All interested businesses are hereby invited to submit a capabilities statement of no more than 10 pages (not including past performance information). The capabilities statement should be tailored to this request and specifically address the company’s capabilities to provide the services outlined above. The statement should also include information on corporate experience, as well as key staff experience with Fuel Compliance programs of similar size, scope and complexity. The response should include past performance information on Fuel Compliance programs of similar size scope and complexity including: Contract Name, Point of Contact, Phone Number, email address, and Description of Services Provided. The response should address basic corporate information including annual gross revenue, number of employees in the company, number of years in business, and the primary focus of the business and associated NAICS code 488490. The cover letter submitted in response to this request should include the following information: Company Name, Primary Point of Contact, Address, Telephone Number, Fax Number, E-mail address for POC and Interest as Prime Contractor or Subcontractor. The cover letter should also indicate the Socioeconomic status of the company as one or more of the following: small business, 8(a) business HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned business, or large business. Please note: This sources sought notice is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). This sources sought is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, to ultimately award a contract, or to otherwise pay for the information solicited herein. Response to this request will not serve as a proposal, bid, or offer, and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. The responses shall be sent to email address:
[email protected] and must be received by 3:00 P.M., EST, November 16, 2005. All questions are due by November 9, 2005 by 3:00 P.M., EST, via email address:
[email protected] Interested Service Providers are encouraged to check the IRS website at www.procurement.irs.treas.gov/opportun.htm on a regular basis as all information concerning the Fuel Compliance Officer Program will be posted here. Point of Contact: T.C. Mitchell (202) 283-1374 phone