Annual Maintenance on BlueCrest Rival Folder/Inserter

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold" for the United States Department of Agriculture. It outlines the justification for restricting competition for an acquisition related to preventative maintenance, service, and repair of agency-owned Rival Inserter equipment.

This document indicates that the government intends to restrict competition for a contract requiring manufacturer-trained and certified technicians from DMT Solutions Global Corporation d/b/a BlueCrest. The justification for this restriction is based on BlueCrest's proprietary Direct Connect (DC) operating system, which is essential for controlling the Rival mail inserting system functions. BlueCrest is identified as the sole authorized vendor for maintenance and copyrighted software updates for systems controlled via their proprietary DC software. This suggests that only BlueCrest or its authorized representatives would be eligible to bid on this specific contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 03, a Price Schedule for solicitation 1232SA26Q0225. Bidders are expected to complete this schedule to provide pricing for the maintenance services required.

• Line Items: The schedule details pricing for maintenance services on a "Rival Folder/Inserter" for a base year and four option years, plus a 6-month extension.
• Units: Pricing is requested per Year (Yr) for the base and option years, and per Month (Mo) for the extension.
• Pricing Fields: Bidders must fill in the "Total Amount" for each line item and an "Overall Total" for the base year plus option years.

This price schedule is critical for bidders to submit their proposals. It outlines the specific services for which pricing is required and the structure for presenting that pricing. Completing this form accurately is essential for the government's evaluation of bids.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks maintenance services for the USDA-NASS' BlueCrest Rival Folder/Inserter equipment located at the National Operations Division (NOD), Print Mail Center (PMC) in St. Louis, MO. The objective is to ensure the continuous operational status of this equipment.

• Labor and equipment to perform maintenance services on the BlueCrest Rival Folder/Inserter.

• Services are required to ensure continuous operational status.

• Technical data and supporting documentation are available via attachments.

• Anticipated contract type: Firm-fixed price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, not to exceed five (5) years total. An additional six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8 may be exercised.

• Base Year: 4/1/2026 - 3/31/2027

• Option Year One: 4/1/2027 - 3/31/2028

• Option Year Two: 4/1/2028 - 3/31/2029

• Option Year Three: 4/1/2029 - 3/31/2030

• Option Year Four: 4/1/2030 - 3/31/2031

• Place of Performance: USDA-NASS-NOD-PMC, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132.

• Award Type: One award is anticipated.

• Evaluation Criteria: Best value to the Government, based on Price and Technical Acceptability.

• Pricing: Offerors must provide pricing for the base period, all option periods, and the potential six-month extension. Failure to do so may result in exclusion. Pricing will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• Technical Acceptability: Will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the offeror's ability to provide a sound and compliant approach. Offerors must provide a detailed explanation of their ability to perform the required services.

• Past Performance: Will be evaluated using an "acceptable" or "unacceptable" rating, based on demonstrated ability to deliver products meeting requirements, timely delivery, and good business relations. Three relevant and recent references are required.

• Evaluation Method: Lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA).

• Quote Submission: Electronic copy via email to the Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist in Adobe PDF format.

• Offer Acceptance Period: Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• Questions Deadline: March 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, via email to jacob.toft@usda.gov.

• Qualification Requirements: Offerors or the product/service are not required to meet a qualification requirement to be eligible for award.

• Noncompetitive Contract Action: The government intends to award on a sole source basis to DMT Solutions Global Corporation dba BlueCrest, Inc. (BlueCrest).

• This solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses by reference. Offerors are cautioned to review these carefully.

• Active registration at SAM.gov is required at the time of quote submission.

• Attached documents include: Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement, Attachment 3 - J&A Restriction of Competition, and Attachment 4 - Price Schedule.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To ensure the continuous operational status of the BlueCrest Rival Folder/Inserter equipment owned by the USDA NASS NOD-PMC.

• Provide on-call service coverage by equipment-certified technicians.

• Include parts and labor for maintenance and repair.

• Respond to service calls Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.

• Maintain a local presence with a maximum response time of 4 hours for calls received before 1:00 p.m. Calls received after 1:00 p.m. will be addressed the next morning.

• Replace wearable parts, including rollers and belts.

• Use new OEM parts for replacements. Used parts may be temporarily installed only to ensure operational status until a new OEM part is acquired.

• Address situations where original manufacturer replacement parts or acceptable alternates are no longer available due to obsolescence.

• Provide training upon request.

• Maximum response time of 4 hours for service calls.

• Adherence to NASS Project Administration Manual (PAM) standards and project lifecycle framework.

• Compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards for all Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

• Base Period: April 1, 2026, for one year.

• Option Periods: Four (4) one-year option periods.

• Place of Performance: 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132.

• Contractor must be an equal employment opportunity employer and comply with all anti-discrimination laws.

• Contractor must adhere to the NASS Project Management Office's Project Administration Manual (PAM).

• All ICT products and services must comply with Revised Section 508 ICT Accessibility Standards.

• Vendors must provide an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) for ICT items.

• Travel expenses are not covered under this requirement.