This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, Streamline Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.  Solicitation Number IBM08Q0004 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ), incorporating provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-22.  FAR clauses and provisions are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far.  This requirement is set-aside 100% for small business concerns.  The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 238990, All Other Specialty Trade Contractors and the associated small business size standard is $13 million dollars annual average gross receipts for the past three years.  The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), United States Section, requires the removal, relocation and installation of approximately 8 miles of 4-strand barbed wire fence on T-posts ranchers fencing west of Columbus, New Mexico.  The project shall be completed in segments as follows:  SEGMENT 1) Remove, relocate and install approximately 3 miles of 4-strand barbed wire fence on T-posts ranchers fence.  Fence will be relocated and installed north of the international border, within the United States. Following project segment options 1 and 2 will be completed only if so directed by agency.  Option Work 1) Remove (only) the remaining approximate 5 miles of 4-strand barbed wire fence on T-posts ranchers fence following the installation of adjacent vehicle barrier fence by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  OR Option Work 2) Remove, relocate and install the remaining approximate 5 miles of 4-strand barbed wire fence on T-posts ranchers fence north of the international border, following the installation of adjacent vehicle barrier fence by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Contractors shall furnish the necessary labor, subsistence, supervision, transportation, equipment, tools and materials necessary to perform the Statement of Work.  The Contractor must have workmen's compensation insurance and liability insurance.  The contractor shall have 60 days after receipt of Notice to Proceed to complete Segment 1 of the project.  If Option Work 1 or 2 are required, contractor shall have 60 days after the installation of adjacent vehicle barrier by DHS to complete.  Delivery and acceptance will be at IBWC El Paso Boundary and Realty Office, 4171 North Mesa, Bldg C 100, El Paso, TX  79902.  Contractors must review and comply with the FAR provisions and clauses which apply to this solicitation.  The following clauses or provisions are specifically referenced and are required in the response to this solicitation:  52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; 52-212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3 must be submitted with the offer; 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items.  The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5 are also applicable to this acquisition:  52.219-6 Notice of Small Business Set-Aside; 52.222-3 Convict Labor; 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.225-3 Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act and Alternate II; 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration.  Contractors are required to register or update their registration on the Central Contractor Registration website at www.ccr.gov.  CCR registration is required to receive contract award and will facilitate payment.  Offers are due for this combined synopsis/solicitation by 4:00 PM, local time, on May 23, 2008 and shall be submitted to IBWC, Attn:  ACQ (IBM08Q0004), 4171 N. Mesa, Bldg. C-100, El Paso, TX  79902.  Facsimile quotes will be accepted at (915) 832-4192.  Verbal quotations will not be accepted.  A Firm Fixed Price contract will be awarded based on technical acceptance and price.  Offers received from other than small business concerns will not be considered.  For project map or additional information regarding this RFQ contact Elena Martinez, (915) 832-4715, email:  elenamartinez@ibwc.gov, mail to IBWC, Attn:  Elena Martinez, 4171 N. Mesa, Bldg. C-100, El Paso, TX  79902.  END of combined synopsis/solicitation.   

Amendment  001 to Combined Synopsis/Solicitation IBM08Q0004

The purpose of this amendment is to respond to questions received.  Q:  Will a map be available?  A:  Copy of map is attached.  Map shows International Monuments (Mon) 30 through 40, which is about 18.7 miles.  About 7.9 miles of rancher's fence (orange line) is located south of the border.  The map shows length of fence to be removed and relocated as follows:  Mon 30-31, 2500 feet; Mon 31-32, 3300 feet; Mon 32-35, 150 feet; Mon 35-36,  8500 feet; Mon 36-37, 8000 feet; Mon 37-38, 6500 feet; Mon 38-39, 6275 feet; Mon 39-40, 6500 feet.  Q:  Is camping allowed?  A:  Although this is in a remote area along the border, there could be illegal cross border activities taking place which would make camping a bit risky.  Q:  Is the area safe and secure?  A:  Although there is a strong Border Patrol presence, contractors are responsible for providing their own security.  Q:  Are there other specifications on the fence?  A:  4 strand barbed wire on t-posts.  Q:  Can the materials from the old fence be reused?  A:  This will be the contractor's choice.  Note:  Please specify in the price quote old or new material.  Q:  Will the area for relocation be marked?  A:  The international border is already marked and the specific area will be more precisely identified as the project commences.  Q:  How far is the old fence to the new location?  A:  The old location is south of the international border and that distance is reflected on the map.  The new location is along the international border and would be the reflected distance.  Q:  What amount of liability insurance is required?  A:  The contractor shall provide and maintain minimum insurance as follows:  1.  General liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage with minimum limits $500,000 each occurrence with an aggregate of $1,000,000.  2.  Worker's compensation insurance for all labor employed on the project who may come within the protection of workers' compensation laws and Employers General liability with minimum limits of $100,000 each accident, bodily injury by disease $100,000 each employee, $500,000 aggregate.  Q:  What is the government estimate?  A.  The government estimate is $25,000- $50,000 for the first 3 miles.   

 Amendment 002 is issued to extend the deadline for submission of quotes and to add a scheduled site visit.  Quotes are due to the USIBWC, Acquisitions Division, 4171 N Mesa, Bldg C 100, El Paso, TX  79902-1441 by 4:00 p.m. MDST on May 30, 2008.  Offerors may submit quotes by mail or fax to the attention of Elena Martinez.  The fax number is 915-832-4190.  Quotes are to include a completed FAR Clause 52.212-3 and be signed and dated by an offeror's authorized representative.  Please reference RFQ number IBM08Q0004 in the quote.   In addition a site visit has been scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. MDST on Wednesday, May 28, 2008.  Participants will meet at the Border Patrol Station located in Columbus, NM 88029.  This is the only site visit that will be arranged.