This amendment changes the response date to October 23, 2008. The General Services Administration, on behalf of the US Army Project Manager Command Posts of Fort Monmouth, NJ, intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract with General Dynamics, C4S located in Taunton, Massachusetts on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. Additionally, depending on mission requirements, it is probable that FAR Part 6.302-2 will be utilized as is the case of existing task orders under other current contracts for Mission Critical Defense System equipments described below in this announcement. General Dynamics, C4S possesses unique knowledge, test bed and production line capabilities for immediate fulfillment and / or resolution of requirements as they arise pertaining to each potential task order for the unique and proprietary equipments and test bed for the Mission Critical Defense System as described below. This action will result in the establishment of a comprehensive technical and support services contract with a three-year base period inclusive of two additional one-year options. The anticipated period of performance for the base contract is February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2012 with an overall potential period of performance through January 31, 2014, if the option periods are exercised. The government will issue a public announcement and conduct market research before exercising the possible option periods. The anticipated contract will be a single award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity type contract, which will allow for the issuance of cost reimbursement, time and materials, labor hour or fixed price type task orders. The task order type shall be dependent on the nature of the work performed. The US Army Project Manager Command Posts (PM CP) manages many of the current tactical circuit switches, and communications management systems at Echelons Above Corps (EAC) and Echelons Corps and Below (ECB) presently in operation with the U.S. Army. The requirements of the anticipated sole source contract shall provide PM CP with support services for a communication system that is employed in battlefield environments. This communication system is known as the "Mission Critical Defense System". The support services required for this Mission Critical Defense System consist of the following: system engineering, program management, software engineering, logistical support, training device upgrades, fielding and field support, depot support, testing and limited production capabilities. The supported systems and equipment include, but are not limited to the AN/TTC/TYC-39 and the Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) Family of Switches, switch components, and derivative variants, including export versions for foreign military sales (IMSE) and enhancements provided as part of the Area Common User System Modernization Program (ACUS MOD). This equipment operates the TRI-TAC (Tri-Service Tactical Communications)/ACUS System and MSE and its derivative systems for all of the Army EAC, ECB, and International customers. The Mission Critical Defense System is a tactical communication legacy system that has been in the military inventory for a number of years. This system provides secure voice, data and satellite communications between battlefield commanders and for the soldiers in the field. This system is vital to military operations and other Joint Defense missions worldwide. As this system is deployed, it requires support, maintenance, unscheduled upgrades and the procurement of additional hardware and software. As this equipment continues to age, it will require a wide range of technical and field support services. The support furnished through this contract is needed to ensure that this legacy equipment provides the communications essential to military forces. The total replacement of the system described above is anticipated to occur approximately in the year 2012. Until that replacement takes place, meeting the requirements contained within this acquisition is essential to the military's communications capabilities, and will ensure that PM CP can meet their worldwide mission of providing life cycle management, maintenance, enhancements, refinements, and improvements to the unique and proprietary mission critical defense system. A "Source Sought" notice under Solicitation number GS02T08CJD0820, which initially identified the requirements of this acquisition, was published on June 5, 2008 through FedBizOpps and had a response date of June 20, 2008. The technical staff of PM CP and GSA conducted a review and analysis of respondent capabilities. PM CP concluded that none of the vendors other than General Dynamics C4S are capable of fulfilling the PM CP requirements that are included in this acquisition without a significant or total disruption to the PM CP Programs. This notice of sole source intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no formal solicitation package is available. However, interested parties may identify their capability to meet the requirements by submitting a white paper, technical data for the item, and past performance data no later than 13 October 2008. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. This notice is being publicized in accordance with FAR 5.205(c) to increase competition and broaden industry participation in meeting Government requirements. Industry is advised that comments may be submitted to the point of contact identified in this notice. However, questions will be treated as comments and responses will not be provided at this time. However, any and each potential contractor response to this other than full and open competition sole source intent announcement will be reviewed to assess the extent to which the contractor's current technical and management capabilities, as well as past performance, would enable the contractor to possibly perform the key program management and technical tasks identified by the criteria elements indicated above. Possible subcontracting opportunities to a prime vendor are unknown at this time. Any interest should be conveyed with a title page containing the vendor name, date, and the name and telephone number of the author and/or other points of contact. A white paper description of possible capabilities should provide evidence of vendor past performance experience, technical data for the items and briefly summarize the capabilities to support above cited systems. The description should reflect the vendor's previous demonstrated performance in managing and supporting similar systems comparable in size and complexity. Vendors must provide all such information in writing. Although no competition is anticipated for this requirement, maximum consideration will be given to subcontracting with small business, veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, or women-owned small business in accordance with FAR Part l9. A small business and small disadvantaged business-subcontracting plan is required and stringent small business, veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, or women owned small business subcontracting goals will be established. In addition to the possible subcontracting requirements, the government will issue a public announcement and conduct market research before exercising the option period. Questions and/or comments regarding this notice may be submitted via e-mail to
[email protected] or
[email protected]. Verbal questions and/or comments will NOT be accepted.