SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- RFI for the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO). Sources Sought. Place of Performance: Afghanistan and Turkey.
- Notice Date
- 6/22/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- NBC - Acquisition Services Directorate 381 Elden Street, Suite 4000 Herndon VA 20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- N10PS18420
- Response Due
- 6/28/2010
- Archive Date
- 6/22/2011
- Point of Contact
- Lydia Nunez Contracting Officer 7039643648 lydia.nunez@aqd.nbc.gov;
- E-Mail Address
-
Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- RFI No. N10PS18420A 1.0 SUBJECT/GENERAL INFORMATION The National Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate (NBC AQD), on behalf of the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), is seeking information from potential sources to support the possible solicitation and award of a contract to provide services to support the development of the Afghan Carpet Industry in Afghanistan. Please note: This research is for the purpose of obtaining information only. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. No submission of data at this time will impact any firm's participation in the future competition of a contract, if such an action is assessed as possible, by the Government through its review of information obtained through this market research. 2.0 DESCRIPTION/REQIREMENTS The TFBSO mission supports the security interest of the United States and its Coalition Partners in Afghanistan by helping revitalize the Afghan economy. Additional information concerning the Afghan Carpet Industry Overhaul Project can be found in the attached draft of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) titled, "Afghan Indigenous Industries - Afghan Carpet Industry Overhaul Project." (An electronic copy of the PWS can also be found at: http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Business/openmarket.aspx). The eligible vendor must have the following: 1.Minimum of 20 years of hands on experience in the washing and finishing of hand-knotted carpets; 2.Minimum of 30 years of experience in the management of hand-knotted carpet production; 3.Demonstrable experience overhauling hand-knotted carpet sectors in post conflict regions 4.Minimum of 50 business relationships with high-end retailers in Europe and North America; 5.Be conversant in French, German, and Turkish; and 6.Ability to begin performance on or around August 1, 2010. 3.0 DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with (IAW) FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. 4.0 RESPONSE FORMAT The following is a suggested outline and suggested page counts for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government. Each submission should not exceed ten (10) pages total Responses to the subject areas below by letter designation are requested to assist in assessing the depth and range of businesses with the interest, requisite skills and past performance to meet the requirements and perform work in Afghanistan. PLEASE IDENTIFY THE SOCIOECONOMIC DESIGNATION (IF ANY) FOR YOUR BUSINESS. If your business qualifies for the 8(a) program, please identify whether or not your business is designated as a Tribal Owned and/or Alaska Native Corporation. A. Contractor Identification Data, to include:1. Contractor data (Name, Address, Zip Code)2. DUNS3. Socioeconomic designation B. Organizational Experience: Provide evidence that your organization has current capabilities for assuring performance of this requirement. C. Past Performance: Identify no more than three (3) contracts with Federal Government or non-Federal Government customers that demonstrate recent and relevant past performance. Recent is defined as within the last two years. Relevant is described as work similar in complexity and magnitude. D. Personnel: Describe your current personnel resources for this requirement, which addresses their capabilities and experience relating to this requirement. Provide your firm's current number of employees with skill sets applicable to the required project scope. E. Provide a short Executive Summary of your company's prime area of business. 5.0 POINT OF CONTACT Please submit responses, via unclassified email, to the NBC AQD POC: Lydia Nunez (Lydia.Nunez@aqd.nbc.gov) no later than COB 28 June 2010.Request that all questions and/or comments be in writing and emailed to Lydia.Nunez@aqd.nbc.gov. Please reference "RFI No. N10PS18420A" on all correspondence related to this notice. *********An electronic copy of the PWS can be found at: http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Business/openmarket.aspx *********DRAFT - Performance Work Statement (PWS)forAfghan Indigenous Industries - Afghan Carpet Industry Overhaul Project Task Force for Business and Stability OperationsOffice of the Secretary of Defense Date: 17 June 2010 PART ONEGENERAL INFORMATION 1.1Description of Services/IntroductionThe contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non personal services necessary to perform advisory and assistance as defined in this Performance Work Statement. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. 1.2Background The Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Afghanistan (TFBSO) supports the security interests of the United States and its Coalition Partners in Afghanistan by helping revitalize the Afghan economy. In order to achieve that end, TFBSO includes the following among its objectives: a) Restore existing productive capacity in the Afghanistan economy wherever possible, across all industrial sectors.b) Leverage monthly DOD cost-of-operations to stimulate economic growth by any means possible.c) Serve as a catalyst for private investment in Afghanistan by linking the international business community to Afghani business leaders and government officials. d) Provide consultative guidance and modest investment to restore the infrastructure of once-thriving industries that were critical to the Afghan economy.e) Move Afghanistan from the front page to the business page. 1.3ObjectiveThe objective of this requirement is to help revitalize the Afghan economy. 1.4ScopeThe Indigenous Industry Team (IIT) has been tasked with increasing the connectivity of the Afghan carpet industry to the international market. Connectivity in this context is defined as market linkages. Furthermore, the Afghan carpet industry requires essential training and know-how development in the field of carpet washing and finishing - an essential element of the value chain of any high-end, hand-woven carpet. The IIT requires a capable entity to operationalize the effort to build washing and finishing know-how/capacity and restore connectivity. 1.5Period of PerformanceThe period of performance shall be for 12 months from the date of contract award. 1.6Other General Information 1.6.1Quality ControlThe contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor's quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer's acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system. The QC Plan is to be delivered 10 days after contract award. 1.6.2Quality AssuranceThe government shall evaluate the contractor's performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s). 1.6.3Recognized HolidaysThe contractor is not required to perform services on these Afghanistan holidays: - Mar - New Years - 1 day - Mohammad's Birthday - The Victory Day of Islamic Revolution - Independence Day - Masood's Day - Sep Parliamentary Elections - 1st Day of Ramadan - EID Days - Big Eid - Ashura Day 1.6.4Hours of Operation/Place of PerformanceThe contractor is responsible for conducting advisory and assistance services between the hours of 0800 to 1700 Saturday thru Thursday except Afghani Holidays. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate work force for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this performance work statement. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the work force are essential. The primary place of performance is in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Herat, Afghanistan and Istanbul, Turkey. 1.6.5Security RequirementsContractor personnel performing work under this contract does not require a Secret Security Clearance at the time of contract award. 1.6.6Contractor TravelContractor will be required to travel OCONUS during the performance of this contract to attend meetings and conferences. The Contractor will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) and the limitation of funds specified in this contract upon submission of proper documentation with the contractor's invoice. Documentation shall include a travel expense report containing the following items at a minimum: inclusive dates of travel, location of travel, name of traveler(s), and an itemized list of expenses. Receipts are required for hotels (regardless of amount) and any single expenditure exceeding $75. All travel requires Government approval/authorization and notification to the COR. PART TWODEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS PWS: Performance Work Statement Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): A representative from the requiring activity assigned by the Contracting Officer to perform surveillance and to act as liaison to the contractor Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the Performance Work Statement. TFBSO: Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance. Quality Control: Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS. Quality Assurance: Those actions taken by the government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement. PART THREEGOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES 3.1 GeneralThe government will not provide any office equipment or office space for this contract. PART FOURCONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES 4.1 General: The contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this PWS. This includes:(a) all training equipment(b) all training materials(c) all temporary training facilities(d) all hardware and software and related electronic equipment(e) all telephony/data systems, hard-wired and wireless. PART FIVETASKS 5.1 Basic ServicesThe contractor shall: a) Develop finishing facilities/know-how to prevent premature export of carpets (which currently hamstrings the industry).b) Identify export routes that are commercially viable (i.e., reasonably secure and consistent).c) Build a market for the Afghan brand. This endeavor involves several elements including: a. Standing up international "Hub" in Istanbul;b. Buyer outreach & education; c. Brand messaging development; and d. Strategic marketing & public relations. 5.2 Results/End StateThe contractor will achieve: 5.2.1TRAINING: Standing up two facilities for training/know-how transfer for washing and finishing; a fully developed training program; 5.2.1.1Objective One: Train 20 individuals in washing and finishing per facility5.2.1.2Objective Two: Train 5 master trainers in washing and finishing per facility5.2.1.3Objective Three: Develop washing and finishing capacity for 200,000 square meters per annum5.2.1.4Objective Four: Train 5 individuals in washing agent formulas per facility5.2.1.5Objective Five: Train 2 individuals per facility in business development 5.2.2LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS: Complete and exhaustive understanding of trade routes out of Afghanistan, replete with actual potential vendor commitments and/or quotations; 5.2.2.1Objective One: Secure market quotations for a minimum of three shipping routes out of Afghanistan.5.2.2.2Objective Two: Attempt to secure firm long-term agreements with shipping vendors for the carpet industry. 5.2.3MARKET-MAKING: Standing up of 'Hub' in Istanbul; full engagement with institutional buying community; and development of permanent connectivity between producers and wholesale buyers. 5.2.3.1Objective One: Hold 8-10 Afghan brand meetings with different institutional buyers in Europe and the United States and host a kick-off Hub event/meeting in Istanbul.5.2.3.2Objective Two: Secure commitments from a minimum of 10 producers in the Mazar-e-Sharif region and 5 producers in the Herat region to utilize the trade Hub in Istanbul on a permanent/on-going basis.5.2.3.3Objective Three: Secure commitments from a minimum of 5 major institutional buyers to utilize the trade Hub in Istanbul on a permanent/on-going basis. 5.3 Kick-Off Meeting 5.3.1 General SupportThe Contractor shall schedule and conduct a joint Government and contractor kickoff meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to clarify the Government's objectives and to discuss how the Contractor shall address those objectives. This meeting shall be scheduled within ten (10) working days after contract award. Within three days following the meeting, the Contractor shall provide the Government a written summary of the kick-off meeting discussion along with a research plan. 5.4. Monthly Program Status Report 5.4.1 Monthly Program Status ReportThe contractor shall provide a program status report each month. The report shall describe the work accomplished during the reporting period and the contract deliverables provided to the government during the reporting period. The reporting period shall be the complete previous calendar month. The original copy of the report shall be provided to the COR not later than the 15th of each month, signed by the program manager. 5.5. Summary of Deliverables under the PWS Deliverable ReferenceDue dateQuality Control Plan 1.6.1. 10 days after contract awardKickoff meeting 5.3.1. 10 days after contract awardWritten summary 5.3.1. 3 days after kickoff meetingof kickoff meetingProgram status report 5.4.1. 15th of each month 5.6 Performance Requirement Summary Desired Outcomes/ Performance ObjectivesAcceptable Quality LevelsMonitoring MethodIncentives or Remedy Implementation of Washing and Finishing Center Program0-3 Months: Operational; 4-8 Break-even; 9-12 Sustainablemonthly reports to COR1% reduction in CLINImplementation of Istanbul Trading Hub0-3 Months: Operational; 4-8 Break-even; 9-12 Sustainablemonthly reports to COR1% reduction in CLINCosting/procurement invoicingDetailed; Accurate; Timelymonthly reports to COR1% reduction in CLIN
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