25-20-1000 – Sources Sought – Fluid Cell Press

DLA-Aviation is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for A Fluid Cell Press. Potential sources must provide turn-key machine with technical data, tooling and accessories, delivery, unloading and rigging, installation, testing and on-site operator, maintenance, electrical, and mechanical training. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement.

The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE/PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.  

Submission Instructions: Interested parties should submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by May 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM.

All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to AVN IPE Market Research at [email protected].

Email subject line must include ATTN: (Marc Wilts, IPE Tracking Number 25-20-1000, Fluid Cell Press).

Responses should not exceed ten (10) one-sided 8.5 x 10 inch pages with a font that is no smaller than 10 point as this is not a request for a proposal but only a request for submission of a vendor’s capability to perform this requirement. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

DLA Aviation intends to issue a request for proposal for Fluid Cell Press technical data, tooling and accessories, delivery, unloading and rigging, installation, testing and on site operator, maintenance, electrical, and mechanical training. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement no later than the stated closing date/time.

Place of performance is Fleet Readiness Center, Jacksonville

DLA Aviation is requesting industry input into the feasibility of the government’s requirements. In your response, please provide:

• Description of your company’s capabilities, based on the questions below
• Comments on the attached statement of work. Please identify on the attached statement of work if your company is capable of providing the requirement as written or propose an alternative solution.
• Please identify your company’s business size in terms of number of employees, and whether domestic or foreign for consideration of solicitation set-aside, and small business subcontracting requirements.
• Please identify your company’s manufacturer status: Manufacturer/Non-Manufacturing Source. If non-manufacturing source, please identify the manufacturer.
• Please identify whether your company will partner with subcontractors to complete this requirement.
• Please provide a basis of estimate to consider the total financial budget of this requirement. Estimates should capture the total procurement requirements, not solely the machine’s requirements. 

Physical Characteristics:

• The attached purchase description outlines the physical characteristics of the machine to include:
  • Machine must fit within the allowable floor plan of L – 56 ft X W – 27 ft
    • New foundation will be needed. 
  • Refer to paragraphs: 3.3.1 Base to 3.3.12 Electrical System and 3.3.13 Motors to 3.3.15 Hour Meter. Please comment on the draft purchase description of whether the current physical characteristics are achievable, or whether the Government should consider an alternative that is commercially available.
• System safety, design, and engineering requirements are to be supported by industry standards.   Since this is a government industrial facility, the current standards used are documented within the specification.   The government may allow for a substitute standard after comparison with the command’s safety office.   Not all substitutes will be permitted or granted.  Detailed below are the currently used standards for the FRCSE facility.  Please identify if you can comply with the standards referenced or what alternate would be proposed for use in lieu of.   Current standards for safety are as follows:
  • Overarching safety and health for any component not specifically referenced will comply to OSHA, 29 CFR 1910. 
  • Each machine will have work light complying with NFPA 79 requirements
  • Electrical connections made to the facility must conform to NFPA 70
  • Safety Guarding per ANSI B11
  • Work platform meeting OSHA 29 CFR 1910
  • Electrical systems and electrical enclosure meeting NEMA ICS 6, NEMA 250 type 12, and NFPA 79. 
  • Arc flash protection signage per NFPA 79
  • Motors to meet the requirements of NEMA MG-1
  • Pneumatic system conforms to ISO 4413
  • Hydraulic system conforms to ISO 4414

Functional Characteristics:

• FRCSE requires the Fluid Cell Press to have an operating pressure of 15,000 psi and a forming area of 46 inches X 148 inches. Please detail your company’s method to achieve this requirement.  

Performance Characteristics:

• Additional performance characteristics are outlined in the attached purchase description. Refer to paragraphs: 3.4 Size and Capacity.  Please comment on the draft purchase description of whether the current performance characteristics are achievable, or whether the Government should consider an alternative that is commercially available.

Additional scope requirements:

• Please review the additional scope requirements as follows:
  • Tooling Needs, Paragraph 3.5 Standard Tooling and Equipment
  • Equipment Identification and Markings, Paragraph 3.6, Marking on Instruments, Control Panels, and Plates. 
  • Technical Data and Planning, Paragraph 3.7, Technical Data
  • Installation of new equipment, Paragraph 3.8, Installation
  • New foundation, Paragraph 3.8.2, Foundation
  • Operator and Maintenance Training, Paragraph 3.9, Training

• Acceptance testing is conducted at governments facility with the cited test procedures, as referenced in paragraph 4.7.3, Performance Test.   Please comment on feasibility of tests along with your company’s ability to execute the test.  Please provided feedback on the applicability and feasibility of the government directed test. 

• Please comment on the draft purchase description of whether the current performance characteristics are achievable, or whether the Government should consider an alternative that is commercially available.