Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Lincoln Electric Design of Welded Connections Seminar

Statement of Work (SOW)

The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion & Repair (SSGR) Groton, CT Engineering Department requires a "Design of Welded Connections" training course for its personnel. The goal is to enhance the welding-related knowledge and experience of SSGR personnel, enabling them to provide effective contractor oversight for the design and production of naval vessels.

• Course Content: The course must cover principles of successful welded connections, fusion and processes, joint details, welding codes and basic concepts, weld sizing, fracture resistance, welding cracking (causes and cures), distortion control, and fatigue of welded connections. It should be customized for engineers focused on the design and production of welded connections related to naval vessels.

• Deliverables: Instruction, a notebook with seminar notes and supporting materials, certificates of participation with CEUs upon completion.

• Duration: 4 days, approximately 8 hours per day.

• Participants: Maximum of 40 personnel per session.

• Total Hours: 35 class and lecture hours, providing 3.5 CEUs.

• Upon completion, participants will receive certificates indicating the course attended and CEUs awarded.

• Dates: Planned for August 10-13, 2026, commencing no later than September 28, 2026.

• Location: Conducted locally in Groton, Connecticut.

• Contractor Personnel Qualifications: Must possess relevant higher education/certification, significant specialization in Welding, and potentially prior military honorable discharge. All contractors accessing the facility must be U.S. Citizens.

• Identification: Contractors must wear a non-metallic ID badge at all times while performing work, approved by SUPSHIP Groton POC.

• Government Provided: Designated training space, room setup, training roster, and a single point of contact.

Other / Unclassified

This document is Attachment 3, a "Other Than Full and Open Justification" (Applicable to Requirements <$250K), citing FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). It justifies soliciting from a single source for a requirement not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

• Supplies/Services: The requirement is for Lincoln Electric's "Design of Welded Connections Course," aimed at improving welding-related knowledge and experience for SSGR personnel to effectively oversee the design and production of naval vessels. The course covers AWS D1 and D14 standards.
• Period of Performance: 10-13 August 2026.
• Sole Source Vendor: Lincoln Electric Welding Technology and Training Center, Cleveland, OH.
• Justification: The justification is based on "Sole Source" because Lincoln Electric owns patents for their welding training, techniques, and related equipment, making their offerings unique and highly specialized. The document explicitly states that similar products from other companies do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the agency's needs.
• Contracting Officer Approval: The justification was approved by the Contracting Officer on 3/20/26, indicating this is the intended procurement method.

Wage Determination

This document provides the official wage determination for various occupations applicable to contracts in Southeastern Connecticut County, Connecticut. It outlines the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits required for service employees working on federal contracts in the specified geographic area.

• Geographic Scope: Applies to Bozrah, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, and Waterford.
• Wage Rates: Lists specific minimum hourly wage rates for a wide range of occupations, from administrative support and clerical roles to health, technical, and transportation occupations.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific health and welfare benefits are detailed, including rates for regular hours and those covered by Executive Order 13706.
• Executive Orders: Mentions applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining requirements for contractors.
• Vacation and Holidays: Details paid vacation accrual based on years of service and lists twelve paid holidays per year.
• Hazardous Pay: Specifies an 8% differential for high-hazard positions and a 4% differential for low-hazard positions involving ordnance and explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms at no cost to employees.
• Conformance Process: Explains the process for contractors to request additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. Understanding the required minimum wages and benefits ensures compliance with federal regulations and helps in preparing competitive and compliant bids for contracts in the specified region.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (N6278926Q0014) is for a "Design of Welded Connections" training course for engineering personnel at SUPSHIP Groton, CT. The course aims to improve welding knowledge and experience, focusing on design and production of welded connections according to AWS D1 and D14 standards. It will cover principles of successful welded connections, fusion processes, joint details, welding codes, sizing, fracture resistance, distortion control, and cracking causes/cures.

• A 4-day training course for up to 40 participants.

• Course content to cover design and production of welded connections, including relevant AWS standards.

• A notebook with seminar notes and other required materials.

• Certificates of participation and CEUs awarded upon completion.

• Contractor personnel must possess relevant higher education/certification and experience in welding.

• Contractor personnel must hold U.S. Citizenship and have relevant security clearances if required.

• Contractor personnel will be issued an ID badge.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: August 10, 2026 to August 13, 2026 (for the seminar), with a completion no later than September 28, 2026.

• Delivery Location: Groton, Connecticut.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but NAICS code 611519 (Technical and Trade Schools) with a size standard of $21,000,000.

• Offer Due Date: April 13, 2026, 07:00 AM.

• Method of Solicitation: RFQ (Request for Quotation).

• Evaluation: Lowest priced technically acceptable.

• Submission Instructions: Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in the solicitation.

• Payment: Via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Invoicing: Submit payment requests and receiving reports via Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF).

• The acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• The solicitation incorporates by reference FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 is attached.

• A Wage Determination is attached as ATTACHMENT NO. 0001.