Q -- Q - - NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Program Support Center (PSC), Division of Acquisition Management (DAM), intends to award a sole source, cost-reimbursement contract to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) of Washington, DC. The contract will require ACOG to conduct annual site visits to designated DHHS/Indian Health Services (IHS) areas to provide professional consultation on women's health, conduct an accredited post-graduate OB/GYN course annually, and assist the IHS federally and tribally-operated facilities in obtaining board-certified fellows and/or board-eligible junior fellow obstetricians and gynecologists for three-week periods of time to provide relief physician coverage for the full-time physicians currently providing services in these facilities. ACOG will provide the physicians as requested by the IHS. The Government knows of only one source, ACOG, who is adequately familiar with the unique demands placed upon the IHS Federal or Tribal OB/GYN health professionals and the variations, which occur amongst the several IHS federal or Tribal locations. For over 30 years, ACOG has maintained a special Committee on American Indian Affairs comprised of present and former IHS OB/GYN physicians and ACOG consultants. In addition, ACOG did extensive analysis of the IHS, which defines the requirements of maternal and infant care throughout the IHS. This experience with Indian Health programs, coupled with expertise in the tracking and practice of clinical OB/GYN, gives ACOG the unique capability to conduct the activities that will be required by the resulting contract. ACOG is exceedingly familiar with OB/GYN physicians throughout the United States, including Alaska, and is able to communicate and solicit the services of these individuals. Since ACOG officially represents the national obstetrics and gynecologic professionals and organizations that are involved with such care, it is the only known organization that can serve in this capacity. Pursuant to 41 USC 253 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, this requirement has been justified in accordance with FAR 6.303. It is anticipated that the contract shall have a 12-month base period with four, 12-month option periods. Interested parties who feel that they are capable of fulfilling this requirement may identify their interest by providing clear and comprehensive information supporting their claim, inclusive of references listing contact person(s) and phone number(s). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government will consider all information received within 45 days of the publication of this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement is solely within its discretion. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. If no responses are received within 45 days, the Government shall negotiate and award a contract to ACOG.