Contracting Office (fp), U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 15 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320-4195

D -- SHIP CONTROL AND NAVIGATION TRAINING SYSTEM (SCANTS) SOL DTCG39-95-B-QXC018 DUE 052995 POC Contact Caroline Bennington, Contract Specialist, 203-444-8665, Patricia L. McIlwain, Contracting Officer, 203-437-6802, FAX 203-444-8299 Proposed procurement is 100% Small Business Set-Aside; SIC Code 7373; Size Standard $14.5 million. It is intended to award a Firm Fixed-Price contract with a six (6) month period of performance. Acquisition will be accomplished using the ''Two-Step Sealed Bidding'' method. STEP ONE, the contractor will submit a written proposal to provide an upgrade to the Academy's visual ship simulator training facility. The current system includes an interactive ship bridge with a seven (7)-channel, one hundred-eighty (180)-degree visual scene. Services include removing the existing Digital Equipment vax computers and Adage image processors, and replacing them with a newer technology computer system, including new image processors. It also includes providing a new operting system and simulation software package, modified for specific U.S. Coast Guard needs, capable of meeting all training requirements. Additional items within this project involve integrating some newer bridge equipment into the system, upgrading the instructor work station and student feedback display, and installing a second smaller ship bridge. Specific requirements of this project will be contained in the solicitation package. Offerors should submit proposals that are acceptable without additional explanation or information; the Government will make a final determination regarding a proposal's acceptability solely on the basis of the proposal as submitted without requesting further information from any offeror. Time constraints preclude the submission of additional clarifying or supplemental information to make unacceptable proposals acceptable. Notice of unacceptability will be forwarded to the offeror upon completion of the proposal evaluation process and final determination of unacceptability. Only one technical proposal may be submitted by each offeror. Technical proposals shall not include prices or pricing information. STEP TWO, all offerors with acceptable technical proposals will receive an Invitation for Bid (IFB). Bids must be based on the bidder's own technical proposal. Contract award will be made to that responsive, responsible lowest price bidder whose technical proposal has been approved during Step One. This information is not binding on the Government and the actual delivery/performance requirements will be contained in the invitation issued under Step Two. Requests for Step One IFB packages must be made in writing to Superintendent (fp), U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 15 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320-4195 and must specify the solicitation number. No telephone requests accepted. For Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), has programs to assist minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital and bonding assistance for transportation-related contracts. This is applicable to any eligible prime or subcontract at any tier. The DOT Bonding Assistance Program enables firms to apply for bid, performance and payment bonds up to $1.0 million per contract. The DOT provides an 80% guaranty on the bond amount to a surety against losses. Loans are also available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $500,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning Bonding Assistance Program and/or the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. (0103)

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