The US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is seeking market research for Cummins brand generators intended for the construction of a Pavement and Maintenance Facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base (AFB), North Dakota. This Sources Sought notice serves to identify potential sources and technologies that may fulfill the project's requirements. The anticipated contract will be a design-bid-build with a construction budget of $25 million to $100 million. The project aims to build a facility featuring a snow barn for heavy and snow removal equipment, compatible with existing military standards and sustainable practices.
Interested vendors should submit capabilities statements evidencing their ability to provide the required generators, which must be qualified, compliant with specifications, and minimally demanding in terms of maintenance. The notice outlines that any resulting contract will follow specific security regulations and be compliant with specialty metals restrictions under the Berry Amendment.
Responses are requested by February 14, 2025, with clear instructions for submission and a disclaimer highlighting that this is not a formal solicitation. The document emphasizes a market research initiative instead of a request for proposals, ensuring the government holds no obligation to award a contract based on input received.
The document is a Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition by the Air Force, focusing on the acquisition of facility generators. It outlines a strategic approach to standardize generator purchases from a limited number of manufacturers, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing training costs associated with maintenance personnel. The estimated cost for the initiative is $54 million, covering 1,181 generator units over five years, facilitating in-house repair capabilities while decreasing reliance on multiple manufacturers. The document cites the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) as its legal basis, asserting that a brand name acquisition is necessary to avoid high training expenses and inefficiencies caused by the current diverse generator inventory.
The J&A explains efforts to solicit offers from various sources and highlights that a notice was published to encourage participation. Ultimately, it emphasizes that the planned standardization will lead to significant cost savings, streamlined training, improved maintenance efficiencies, and enhanced mission performance. The contracting officer confirms that limiting the procurement to specific brands will not only ensure interoperability but also expedite the acquisition process, further supporting the overall objectives of the Air Force's operational effectiveness and efficiency.