DO NOT SUBMIT A QUOTE AT THIS TIME. Please read the ENTIRE synopsis before submitting any response. The 10th Mission Support Group, Directorate of Contracting, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado has a Brand Name Only requirement for the purchase of Fujitsu Lifebook T730 Tablets, WIN7PRO (32-Bit), BM, Intel Core i5-520M, VPRODL DVD Writer, 4GB (2GBx2) 160GB (5400 RPM) Sata HDD, Intel Wlan (ABGN), 12.1 WXGA-Wide Angle, Active Digitizer, US KBD Port Replicator, 6 Cell + Modular Battery, 3 Year Support for Unit, Expresscard Smart Card Adapter, and an Accessory Pack. This notice document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-42, 16 June 2010. The North American Industry Classification System Code [NAICS] is 423430 and the size standard is 100 employees. It is essential that the faculty purchase the same tablets that the cadets have so that there is continuity in the academic teaching process as well as continuity in helping resolve computer issues. Each year, the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets purchase tablets for the academic school year. The computer for the cadets is selected based upon specific requirements for the educational mission at USAFA, to include such things as tablet functionality, wireless configuration, USB port availability, stylus granularity, docking mechanism, battery life, weight, size, and many other factors. The computers that were selected for the cadets are the Fujitsu Lifebook T730 Tablets. Once the tablets for cadets were selected, the faculty must familiarize themselves with all the features and capabilities of the tablet in order to maximize the uses for education and be able to assist the cadets when there are problems. Delivery is to be made to IT Accountability, 5136 Community Center Dr East Loading Dock at the U.S. Air Force Academy. FOB: Destination. This synopsis is for notification purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT SUBMIT A QUOTE AT THIS TIME. Any offerors believing they can provide an equal product that meets all of the features and functionality of the Fujitsu Lifebook T730 Tablets may provide EVIDENCE for consideration. Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can provide an equal product. It is the offerors responsibility to prove their product is an equal by demonstrating their product, at a minimum, has the same features and functionality of the brand name product. Providing brochures, specifications and/or quotes alone is not enough for the Government to make a decision. The offeror should provide an understandable comparison between the two products. The Government is not responsible for developing the comparison from insufficient information provided. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if timely received, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a brand name or equal procurement can be conducted. A determination that equal products exist based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received by 12:00 NOON Mountain Standard Time (MST) on 22 June 2010. Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-1(f) and will not be evaluated. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this synopsis. Contractors must have a current registration with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov and with Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov. Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC Karen Jackson, Contract Specialist, (719) 333-4060 or sent via e-mail to
[email protected]. Alternate POC is Nicole Baert, Contracting Officer, (719) 333-8924,
[email protected]. 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (Apr 2010) (a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern. (b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the USAF Academy Ombudsmen, Kim Diercks 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103 USAFA, CO 80840 Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-9018 email:
[email protected] Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067. (d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. (e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. (End of clause)