This announcement constitutes a sources sought synopsis for purposes of conducting market research. Market Research is being conducted to seek qualified contractors other than Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) with the skills, knowledge, and resources required to complete this effort. The Government is seeking qualified contractors to support the repair, maintenance, programming, and training of a SwRI developed, manufactured and installed Automated Coating Removal System (ACRES) located in Building 238 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. ACRES is a robotic paint strip system, developed by SwRI, that removes coatings from airframe components of primarily A-10, C-130, and F16 aircraft. The Air Force is in the process of preparing documentation to gain the required approval to issue a sole source request for proposal to Southwest Research Institute which has supported the Air Force in this capacity in the past. Statutory authority is 10 U.S.C. 2304 (C) (1), Justification: Supplies (or Services) required are available from only one or a limited number of responsible source(s) and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The proposed contract action is for supplies and services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one, or a limited number of sources under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This sources sought synopsis is for information and budget planning only and does not constitute a solicitation, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. 1. Purpose: The government intends to award a contract for the repair, maintenance, programming, and training on this system. The work shall require the contractor to provide: On-Call Technical Telephone Support; On-Site Labor and Parts for Maintenance and Repairs; and train maintenance personnel on new system maintenance updates including programming changes. SwRI is the only known source that has the requisite equipment expertise of executing required services with the OEM parts and proprietary software data being used by the 309th Consolidated Maintenance Group (CMXG) at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. 2. Information for Interested Parties: Subject to the Government's consideration, a viable source, not already qualified to provide the requisite services should submit a concise and equipment specific and expertise response presenting sufficient information to substantiate that: a. They possess the necessary skills and resources to update and procure OEM equivalent parts and the proprietary software used on the Automated Coating Removal System (ACRES) manufactured by Southwest Research Institute. b. They possess the necessary knowledge, experience and technical capability of providing standard repairs, maintenance, and programming of this system. c. They have the capability and demonstrated experience to perform programming and training procedures on this machine. d. Provide responses to the attached questionnaire. 3. Other Information: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 333319. Respondents to this announcement should indicate whether they are a small business, 8(a) concern, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUB Zone small business, small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, or historically black college or university (HBCU) or minority institution (MI) (as defined by the clause at DFARS 252.226-7000). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. The Air Force will not pay for either the effort or the associated costs to respond, or for any information provided. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to information received will be normally considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses must be submitted by June 21, 2011 ATTN: John Minnoch, 5851 F Avenue, Bldg 849, Room C-12, Hill AFB UT 84056-5713, or
[email protected]. Questions will be accepted electronically directly from the requestor.