Sodium Tungstate Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

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

This procurement aims to establish an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) ordering vehicle for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to purchase sodium tungstate dihydrate as needed.

• The contractor will provide necessary management, services, personnel, and documentation for the procurement of sodium tungstate dihydrate.

• DLA Strategic Materials intends to purchase approximately 100,000 kg of sodium tungstate dihydrate over a five-year ordering period, with an estimated 20,000 kg per year.

• Material Requirements: The sodium tungstate dihydrate must meet specific chemical composition requirements detailed in Table 2, including limits for various components like WO3, Na, B, Pb, Ca, As, Sb, U+Th, P, Si, V, Mo, Cd, Sn, S, Cr, Cu, and Zn. It must also meet a minimum of 8.000% for -8 Mesh.

• Each lot must be approximately 1,000 kg, contained in 76 drums (approx. 250 kg per drum).

• Material must be non-radioactive and non-licensable per Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations, with a combined thorium and uranium content of less than 0.05 percent by weight.

• Sampling: The government will witness sampling operations. All sampling must occur within the Continental United States (CONUS). The contractor must provide a sampling plan as part of the proposal, detailing the process, standards used, and supporting documentation. Changes to the sampling plan require explicit written approval.

• Testing: The contractor must employ an independent, third-party analytical chemistry laboratory (CONUS-based, ISO 17025 certified) to characterize each lot of material. The lab must perform analyses according to Table 2 specifications. The contractor must submit a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each lot.

• Certificates of Analysis (COA): COAs must be submitted in PDF format for government review and acceptance prior to shipment. Each COA must include specific details such as lot number, weight, tests performed, results, specifications, and laboratory information.

• Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health: Compliance with federal, state, local, and international regulations for use, transport, emergency response, and disposal is required.

• Packaging: Material must be packaged in new UN 1A2 compliant steel drums (55-gallon capacity), with no more than four drums per pallet. Drums must have bolt and ring closure, a synthetic elastomer gasket, be hot-dipped galvanized or painted, and include a polyethylene liner. Detailed drawings and manufacturer's certifications for drums are required. Pallets must meet specific design and construction requirements (ASTM D6199-18a, ISPM 15).

• Labeling: Containers and pallets must be identified with durable, indelible tags/labels in English, listing specific commodity information, weight, lot number, etc.

• Transportation: The contractor is responsible for transport, carrier, and insurance costs to the point of delivery.

• The IDIQ ordering vehicle allows for purchases as needed within established parameters.

• Delivery is to be completed within thirty-six (36) months from the issuance of each Delivery Order.

• Delivery points include DLA Strategic Materials Scotia Depot (NY), DLA Hawthorne Army Depot (NV), and DLA Strategic Materials Hammond Depot (IN).

• Compliance with Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Tariff Act of 1930, Trade Act of 1974, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) forms is mandatory.

• Government has the right to witness sampling and testing operations and to reject non-conforming material.

• Deliveries must be scheduled in advance and accepted in writing by the government representative.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition for sodium tungstate. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) intends to solicit and award an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for sodium tungstate with a five (5)-year ordering period using fixed-price delivery orders. This is a first-time buy of sodium tungstate for DLA Strategic Materials (DLA SM).

• Procurement of sodium tungstate for storage in the National Defense Stockpile (NDS).

• Sodium tungstate is a shelf-stable form of tungsten needed for various Department of Defense (DoD) systems.

• The acquisition aims to establish supplies of tungsten or stable tungsten precursors without impacting existing tungsten ores and concentrates supplies.

• The contract will be awarded to a domestic secondary producer capable of reclaiming sodium tungstate from scrap material.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: Five (5)-year ordering period.

• Pricing: Fixed-price delivery orders.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the justification references an estimated value.

• The action will be executed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) under FAR Part 12 and Part 15 procedures.

• It will be synopsized/solicited on SAM.gov for approximately two weeks, allowing potential offerors a reasonable opportunity to respond.

• The Contracting Officer will determine the final price to be fair and reasonable, potentially using a comparison with the independent government cost estimate (IGCE) or other means outlined in FAR 15.404-1(b)(2).

• The justification cites statutory authority (10 U.S.C. § 3204(a)(3)(A)) for other than full and open competition, citing national security and industrial mobilization needs.

• Market research indicates Tungco, Inc. is the only domestic secondary producer capable of producing this material without negatively impacting the market.

• DLA Strategic Materials has a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to provide interested companies an opportunity to seek funding to become qualified manufacturers for strategic materials.

• Market research included discussions with various government agencies and defense conferences.

• A prior Request for Information (RFI) indicated Tungco, Inc. as the only respondent with relevant information and capability for domestic production.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, Attachment 1 - Section B, outlines the "Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs" for a potential Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials intends to procure up to 100,000 kilograms (KG) of Sodium Tungstate over a five-year period for addition to the National Defense Stockpile (NDS).

• CLIN 0001 - SODIUM TUNGSTATE: Requires sourcing, packaging, and delivery of Sodium Tungstate to one of three DLA Strategic Materials Depots. Pricing is firm-fixed price.

• CLIN 0002 - THIRD-PARTY TESTING: Requires third-party testing of Sodium Tungstate in accordance with Section II.C of the SOW. Pricing is firm-fixed price.

• Contract Type: IDIQ contract with a base ordering period of five (5) years.

• Delivery Order Period: Each delivery order will have a period of performance not to exceed thirty-six (36) months.

• Estimated Value: The overall estimated IDIQ contract value will be the sum of CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0002.

• Pricing: Offerors must propose unit pricing on a per kilogram basis for CLIN 0001, with three quantity ranges specified for each contract year. For CLIN 0002, offerors must propose pricing on a per lot basis for testing.

• Delivery Points: Delivery will be to one of the following Government Storage Depots: Scotia, NY; Hawthorne, NV; or Hammond, IN.

Not specified in this document.

• Quantities in Table #1 are estimates and may change. The government is only required to meet the guaranteed minimum established under the IDIQ contract.
• Delivery Order Pricing will be firm-fixed price using the proposed unit prices in Table #2 and Table #3.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 3 - Clauses and Provisions," lists various clauses and provisions that are incorporated by reference into a contract. It serves as a reference for bidders to understand the legal and regulatory requirements that will govern the contract.

The document is divided into two main sections:

• Contract Clauses: This section lists numerous FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) clauses that are incorporated by reference. Examples include clauses related to:
  • Gratuities (52.203-3)
  • System for Award Management (52.204-13)
  • Safeguarding Covered Defense Information (52.204-21, 52.204-7012)
  • Interest and Payments (52.232-17, 52.232-40)
  • Buy American and Trade Agreements (52.225-1, 52.225-3, 52.225-5)
  • Service Contract Labor Standards (52.222-41)
  • NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements (252.204-7019)
• Solicitation Provisions: This section lists provisions that are incorporated by reference, such as:
  • Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (FAR 52.212-2)
  • Offeror Representations and Certifications (FAR 52.212-3)
  • Notice of NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements (252.204-7019)

Bidders must review these clauses and provisions to understand their contractual obligations, compliance requirements, and the terms and conditions that will apply if awarded the contract. Specific attention should be paid to clauses related to cybersecurity, small business participation, payment terms, and any specific representations and certifications required. Failure to understand and comply with these incorporated clauses can impact proposal evaluation and contract performance.