The Social Security Administration is seeking quotations for rolled paper. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This procurement is being conducted as a simplified acquisition in accordance with FAR Part 13. The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the latest Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-08. This is a small business set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System code for this acquisition is 322121. The small business size standard is 750 employees. All responsible small business sources may submit a quote that will be considered by the agency. Quotes that are submitted from other than small businesses will be rejected. This request for quotation is identified as Solicitation Number SSA-RFQ-06-1222. REQUIREMENT: One hundred thirteen (113) 50-inch diameter rolls of paper, 11 inches wide to be used on an IBM 3900 printer. Form bond defined as laser compatible, also known as MOCR bond , perforated at 8 ½ inch intervals. The paper must have pinfeed holes at the sides, not factored into the 11-inch width. Requirement is referred to by ICN 668540. Paper is to be white. Rolls must have at least 20% post consumer fiber content and 20% recovered fiber content and must consist of at least 80% chemically pulped wood, free from any contaminants that may have been added to the paper in its previous application. Rolls must be spliceless and all rolls wound in the same direction on 6-inch cores. Paper weight: 20# book/50# offset (offset refers to weight only, offset paper is unacceptable). Specific volume: 0.079-0.089 inch (1.3-1.45 cm). Smoothness: 115-265 cm X 10 = Sheffield Units TAPPI Test Methods #T 538 om-88. Opacity: >60% - TAPPI Test Methods #T 519 om-86. Moisture content: Equilibrium Relative Humidity 45_7%7. Dimensional Stability: Longitudinal <0.06% Transversal <0.14%. Electrical Properties: Electrical Surface Resistance: 18-10 Ohms; Electrical Volume Resistance: <10 Ohms Keithley Electrode. DELIVERY: The contractor shall deliver three (3) rolls within 10 calendar days from the date of the order to the address specified below for a first article test to determine technical acceptability. The balance of the order must be delivered within 20 calendar days following government acceptance of the First Article product. PACKAGING: The rolls must be packaged three to a pallet, paper or shrink wrapped and secured to the pallet with ½ inch wide nylon strapping. The pallets must have dimensions of 36 inches x 52 inches x 5.25 inches high, with stops at the rear of the pallet to prevent dropping of the rolls during loading onto the carts. Pallets must accommodate a standard pallet jack lifting mechanism with forks measuring 42 inches long x 4 inches wide x 1.75 inches high. Each pallet must be marked with the appropriate purchase order number and the ICN 668540. DELIVERY LOCATION: All rolls shall be delivered F.O.B. Destination to the Preston Gateway Corporation Parkway, 1415 Magellan Drive, Bldg. B. Hanover, MD 21076 Telephone numbers: 410-962-7477 or George Martinez - Cell # 410-504-3276. Delivery of all shipments shall be made between the hours of 6:30 AM & 2:00 PM Monday through Friday. Maximum height clearance is 13ft 5 inches. Clause Incorporated In Full Text; First Article Approval: FAR 52.209-4 First Article Approval / Government Testing (Sep 1989)--Alternate I (Jan 1997) The Contractor shall deliver the three rolls within 10 calendar days from the date of this order to the Government at the delivery address specified below for first article tests. The shipping documentation shall contain the purchase order number and all Lot/Item identifications. The characteristics that the first article must meet and the testing requirements are specified elsewhere in this order. (b) Within 15 calendar days after the Government receives the first article, the Contracting Officer shall notify the Contractor, in writing, of the conditional approval, approval, or disapproval of the first article. The notice of conditional approval or approval shall not relieve the Contractor from complying with all requirements of the specifications and all other terms and conditions of this order. A notice of conditional approval shall state any further action required of the Contractor. A notice of disapproval shall cite reasons for the disapproval. (c) If the first article is disapproved, the Contractor, upon Government request, shall submit an additional first article for testing. After each request, the Contractor shall make any necessary changes, modifications, or repairs to the first article or select another first article for testing. All costs related to these tests are to be borne by the Contractor, including any and all costs for additional tests following a disapproval. The Contractor shall furnish any additional first article to the Government under the terms and conditions and within the time specified by the Government. The Government shall act on this first article within the time limit specified in paragraph (b) of this clause. The Government reserves the right to require an equitable adjustment of the contract price for any extension of the delivery schedule or for any additional costs to the Government related to these tests.(d) If the Contractor fails to deliver any first article on time, or the Contracting Officer disapproves any first article, the Contractor shall be deemed to have failed to make delivery within the meaning of the Default clause of this contract. (e) Unless otherwise provided in the contract, the Contractor -- (1) May deliver the approved first article as a part of the contract quantity, provided it meets all contract requirements for acceptance and was not consumed or destroyed in testing; and (2) Shall remove and dispose of any first article from the Government test facility at the Contractor’s expense.(f) If the Government does not act within the time specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of this clause, the Contracting Officer shall, upon timely written request from the Contractor, equitably adjust under the Changes clause of this contract the delivery or performance dates and/or the contract price, and any other contractual term affected by the delay.(g) The Contractor is responsible for providing operating and maintenance instructions, spare parts support, and repair of the first article during any first article test.(h) Before first article approval, the acquisition of materials or components for, or the commencement of production of, the balance of the contract quantity is at the sole risk of the Contractor. Before first article approval, the costs thereof shall not be allocable to this contract for(1) progress payments, or (2) termination settlements if the contract is terminated for the convenience of the Government.(i) The Government may waive the requirement for first article approval test where supplies identical or similar to those called for in the schedule have been previously furnished by the Offeror/Contractor and have been accepted by the Government. The Offeror/Contractor may request a waiver. (j) The Contractor shall produce both the first article and the production quantity at the same facility. Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998); This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.arnet.gov, 52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination (Nov 1991). 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Sep 2005), 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items (Feb 2006) apply to this acquisition:(b)(5), (b)(14), (b)(15), (b)(16), (b)(17), (b)(18), (b)(19), (b)(20), (b)(23), (b)(26), and (b)(31). INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS: 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors-- Commercial Items (Jan 2006) is incorporated by reference. The following provisions apply: (b)(1) through (b)(9), (b)(11), (c), (f),(g), (j), (k) and (l). In addition, offerors must certify in writing the percentage of post-consumer recovered material, the percentage of chemically pulped wood free from contaminates; and the smoothness of the paper in Sheffield units. Offerors must include a completed copy of FAR Part 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items (Mar 2005), with their quote. The Representation and Certifications can be found at website - www.ssa.gov/oag or at www.arnet.gov. Offerors should also indicate in their offer if payment by government purchase card will be acceptable. AWARD WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS: Offerors are reminded that FAR 52.212-1(g) provides that the Government intends to evaluate offers and award without discussions (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Responses must be submitted by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, April 10th , emailed to
[email protected]. Responses may also be submitted by Fax to 410-966-9310, Attn: Michele Tubman. EVALUATION FACTORS INFORMATION: In accordance with FAR 12.301(c)(2), the provisions set forth below are provided in lieu of the provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items (Jan 1999). To be considered for an award under this solicitation offerors must provide a firm, fixed f.o.b. destination unit price per roll. Award will be made on the basis of lowest priced, technically acceptable taking the post consumer content into consideration. In a event of a tie, the socio-economic status of the offeror could de the decisive if two or more offerors are considered equal in terms of price. In this situation, the government may consider the socio-economic status of the offeror in the following descending order of priority: (1) 8(a); (2) 8(a)/HUBZone; (3) HUBZone; (4) Service Disabled; or (5) Small Business. OFFEROR'S RESPONSIBILITY: FAR 9.103(b) requires that the Contracting Officer make an affirmative determination of responsibility for a prospective contractor with respect to any proposed contract award. Therefore, due consideration shall also be given to those general standards for responsible prospective contractors as set forth in FAR 9.104-1, including (but not necessarily limited to) whether the offeror is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations. To be eligible for award offerors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration database. NOTICE OF AWARD: A written notice of award or acceptance of a quote, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the quote, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept the quote, whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.