B -- REQUEST FOR MARKET CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT

Notice Date

April 27, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Space Command, 21CONS (Bldg 982), Base Support Flight, 700 Suffolk Street, STE 1200, Peterson AFB, CO, 80914-1200

ZIP Code

80914-1200

Solicitation Number

F04560-RMRA-001

Response Due

May 11, 2001

Point of Contact

Doug Guldan, Contract Specialist, Phone 719-556-8211, Fax 719-556-4538, Email Doug.Guldan@peterson.af.mil -- Doug Guldan, Contract Specialist, Phone 719-556-8211, Fax 719-556-4538, Email

E-Mail Address

Doug Guldan (Doug.Guldan@peterson.af.mil)

Description

Request for Market Assessment Purpose: This is a request to obtain information from resorts in or near Summit County, CO regarding recreation and lodging services for use by Department of Defense employees at wholesale rates. The US Air Force is seeking a "Preferred Provider" relationship with a specific resort to secure discounts currently available on the open market. In return, the AF would advertise this one facility in major military markets such as Washington DC, San Diego CA, San Antonio TX and Norfolk VA. This is not a request for proposals, only a request for information. The AF will use the information gathered to further refine its requirements prior to seeking proposals. Background. The US military operates a number of recreational activities for active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve and civilian employees. The total number of employees allowed to use these facilities is 4.7 million not including their family members whom are also authorized to use the facilities. The facilities are typically found on military installations. However, several large resort facilities are operated in popular tourist areas. The US Army operates the Shades of Green resort hotel on Disney World and the Hale Koa resort on Waikiki Beach HI. Congress specifically authorizes the military to operate these facilities to provide quality recreation experience for DOD employees at reasonable prices. Project Funding By law, any facilities provided, leased or built cannot be paid for with taxpayer dollars. All revenues generated will be used to meet operations expenses. No tax dollars are used in the direct operation of these facilities. It is expected any funding will come from private donations and business operations such as the base exchanges. Short Range Vision. The Preferred Provider concept involves establishing an agreement with a single resort to provide rooms, lift tickets, equipment rental, golf green fees, recreation programs, meals and conferencing facilities at substantial discounts. In return, the AF would advertise the resort as, "The Air Force Recreation Area at (Preferred Providers Resort)." The military intends to advertise the Preferred Provider in major military publications such as installation newspapers and the "Military Times" commercial newspaper. Long Range Vision. The AF wants to determine the market demand among its employees and DoD personnel to either purchase or construct a facility within 30 minutes driving time of major Colorado ski resorts with conferencing facilities, food service, recreational vehicle hookups and small retail outlets. Conference Facilities. The AF believes it can mitigate low occupancy during fall and spring seasons by holding official business conferences at the Preferred Providers property. When space is not available to hold conferences in government owned facilities they are held in commercial conference facilities. We believe these conferences can be held at the vendor's property in the spring and fall at less expense. Proposed Concept of Operations. The Preferred Provider will offer prices on all products including conferencing, rooms, meals and recreation. Prices would vary depending on season and day of the week. The Preferred Provider would add a surcharge set by the AF, which would be paid to the AF to cover advertising, reservation center and overhead expenses. DOD employees would be given "preferred customer" status entitling them to discounts in and around the resort. The AF anticipates prices, including the surcharge to be less than the Preferred Provider offers to their best customer. All reservations would be taken through the current AF Academy Destination Travel office (AFADT) by toll-free number or their website. The Preferred Provider would provide direct on-line access from their reservation database to the AFADT. All calls received at the Preferred Provider's primary reservation center from DOD employees, military travel offices or commercial travel agents would be transferred to the AFADT number. This procedure is to ensure only personnel authorized to use DOD facilities receive the DOD price. It will also allow the AF to collect extensive demographic data on employees using the facility. The AFADT would collect a down payment via credit card and electronically transfer it to the Preferred Provider. The Preferred Provider would provide a "DOD employees" hotlink on their commercial website referring the DOD employee to the AFADT website. The AF does not seek to have any rooms reserved for its exclusive use. Nor does the AF want any limit put on the number of rooms available at the agreed price. All rooms would be equally available to the AF and other Preferred Provider customers on a first-come, first-served basis. Advantages to the Preferred Provider. The AF believes the Preferred Provider concept offers several distinct advantages to Preferred Provider. Among the advantages are: a steady stream of loyal customers, the potential to boost room occupancy during the fall and spring, the gathering of information about the DOD employee base to use in negotiating any subsequent lease or sale of property to the AF. Lastly, if the AF does not subsequently lease, buy or build a facility, we believe the Preferred Provider concept would continue indefinitely with periodic opportunities for other resorts to compete. How the AF will select the Preferred Provider. Because there is considerable variation among vendors, the AF will first define its needs based on responses to this Market Assessment. The AF will then conduct Capability Assessments to determine if interested parties are able to meet our requirements. The AF will then issue a Request for Proposal (RFP); award criteria will be included in the RFP. A team will review all proposals; award will be made based on Best Value to the Government. This is not a request for proposals, only a request for information. The AF will use the information gathered to further refine its requirements prior to seeking proposals. Response: Companies wishing to respond to this request are requested to submit a response by, e-mail to doug.guldan@peterson.af.mil and to gerry.humphrey@peterson.af.mil. In order to assure timely responses, please submit responses no later than 11 May, 4:00 PM, Mountain Time. Responses may also be mailed to: 21 CONS/LGCB Gerry Humphrey/MSgt Doug Guldan 700 Suffolk Street Peterson AFB, Colorado, 80914

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010501/BSOL009.HTM (D-117 SN50K5J0)