Custom "Joey Naeger" Upright Double Bass

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for a Custom Upright Double Bass, specifically the "Joey Naeger" model, for the United States Marine Band. The government is procuring a single, handmade, unique instrument.

• One (1) Custom Upright Double Bass, handmade, unique, serial number 14, from manufacturer Joey Naeger.

• The bass must be constructed from high-quality materials to ensure optimal sound and projection suitable for classical music, large ensembles, chamber music, jazz, latin music, and big band music.

• Specific material requirements include: slab cut mahogany back, laminated mahogany and cross grain Paulownia sides, slab cut mahogany neck grafted to a flamed maple neck handle, and a spruce top.

• The neck must be reinforced with a carbon fiber stiffener and affixed with a removable bolt for travel and maintenance.

• The instrument must withstand standard string tension (250-300 lbs.) without bridge sinking or neck bending, and be resistant to temperature/humidity changes and minor bumps.

• It must exhibit balanced resonance, clear projection, and a full, balanced sound across its entire range.

• Country of Origin (COO) must be manufactured in the U.S.A. or compliant with DFARS clause 252.225-7036.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Award Type: All or none.

• Period of Performance: Delivery required by September 1, 2026.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be a single award.

• Submission Method: Electronic submission via email to Sergeant Jacob Espinosa at jacob.m.espinosa.mil@usmc.mil.

• Offer Due Date/Local Time: June 15, 2026, 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be based on the capability of the quoter to meet or exceed specifications and pricing, determined to be fair and reasonable. Evaluation factors include: Technical (minimum specifications), Price (best pricing, fair and reasonable), and Past Performance (SPRS and CPARS will be utilized).

• Responsiveness: Quoters must submit all required documentation by the RFQ close date/time.

• Set Aside: Unrestricted, but also indicated as a Small Business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 339992 (Small Business Size Standard: 1000 employees).

• Vendors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of offer submission.

• Monthly invoicing is acceptable; no other contract financing is permitted.

• The government reserves the right to award no contract, reject any or all offers, and to clarify aspects of quotes.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Salient Characteristics" for a custom upright double bass, detailing the specific requirements and quality standards for the instrument. It serves as a critical attachment to a solicitation, defining what the government is procuring.

• Construction: Handmade, unique, serial number 14, using highest quality materials for optimal sound and projection.
• Materials: Specific woods required for back (one-piece slab cut mahogany), sides (laminated mahogany and cross-grain Paulownia), scroll (slab cut mahogany grafted to flamed maple neck), and top (two-piece spruce).
• Neck: Removable bolt attachment for disassembly, reinforced with carbon fiber to prevent warping and enhance sound production.
• Sound & Performance: Must blend with musical ensemble, allow playing without strain, produce good sound and resonance, be suitable for classical, chamber, jazz, latin, and big band music. Requires professional-level quality, balanced resonance, clarity at long distances, consistent sound quality across dynamic ranges, a strong fundamental harmonic, and balanced sound from highest to lowest note.
• Durability: Must withstand standard string tension (250-300 lbs.) without bridge sinking or neck bending, and resist cracking/warping from temperature/humidity changes or minor bumps.
• Aesthetics: Glue application must be clean, strong, and not visible when dry.
• Evaluation: Subjective, based on musician and Director's perception of musicality and blend within the United States Marine Band.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it precisely defines the technical specifications and quality expectations for the custom upright double bass. Vendors must ensure their proposed instruments meet all listed salient characteristics to be considered compliant. The delivery date is September 1, 2026, to the United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C. The item must be manufactured in the U.S.A. or compliant with DFARS clause 252.225-7036.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Justification and Approval (J&A) for a Sole Source or Brand Name purchase for custom upright double basses for the United States Marine Band (USMB).

This document explains why the USMB is seeking to procure custom upright double basses from Joey Naeger on a sole source or brand name basis. Key points for bidders include:

• Item: Custom Upright Double Bass
• Source: Joey Naeger
• Estimated Value: $32,000
• Requested Delivery: 01 SEP 2026
• Justification: The document asserts that Joey Naeger's basses possess unique qualities (balanced resonance, projection, tonal stability, durability) that meet the elite mission performance standards and occupational health requirements of the USMB. Extensive testing indicated these instruments are the only ones meeting these specific needs.
• Market Research: Other double bass manufacturers were considered (Tom Wolfe, Barry Kolstien, Seth Kimmel, Rumano Solano, Chris Threlkeld-Wiegland), but none were found to match the specific salient characteristics required.
• Future Competition: The USMB will continue to monitor the market for emerging solutions to ensure competition for future requirements.