Description
This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation, Notice of Intent. The Midwest Area for the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture intends to issue an award to University of Puerto Rico, AES, 1193 Guayacan Street, San Juan, PR 00926-1118. This is a sole source procurement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a requirement of the National Animal Disease Center (NADC), MWA, ARS, USDA at Ames, IA for an organic corn winter nursery. The nursery will be grown within a 3 to 4 month period with two planting dates starting about November 15, 2011 with harvest in March 2012. Approximately 2500 experimental varieties will be planted in 12 foot one-row plots with a 3 foot border between plots, for a total area of approximately 2 acres of nursery. Plant spacing must be 9 inches in the row and 30 inches between rows. This service is available only through the University of Puerto Rico. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Interested parties should submit written (mail or email) responses including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement and must be received in this office within 10 calendar days after publication of this notice. Detailed information on this required service can also be requested by email. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the Government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with the University of Puerto Rico without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of other than full and open competition for the proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. JUSTIFICATION 1. Agency and Contracting Activity (FAR 6.303-2(a)(1)). USDA, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, Midwest Area, Procurement & Property Section 2. Nature/Description of Action(s) (FAR 6.303-2(a)(2)). a. This contracting action is to obtain the services of an organic corn winter nursery that will be managed according to US Organic standards for producing corn. 3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 6.303-2(a)(3)). The services requested include field preparation; two planting dates of approximately 2500 experimental varieties; application of bacillus thuringiensis for control of lepidopteran pests and other applications as detailed; shoot bagging and pollinations must be done in accordance with breeders' instructions; hand harvesting by plot; dried seeds must be cleaned, packed, inspected, and shipped by Federal Express to each breader. Seeds must be treated for the presence of insect pests to meet APHIS standards for import and/or shipping within the US and US Organic certification standards. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority (FAR 6.303-2(a)(4)). 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1. The services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of services will satisfy the Agency requirements. 5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications (FAR 6.303-2(a)(5)). a. Only one responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy Agency Requirements (FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)) (1) FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) states, "When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or for DOD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for." (2) The named vendor has been proven to meet the requirement required by the research protocol and no other vendor has been identified. 6. Federal Business Opportunities - FedBizOpps.gov (FBO) Announcement/Potential Sources (FAR 6.303-2(a)(6). a. A Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) synopsis is published in an attempt to identify other possible vendors of the required consumable. b. USDA/ARS does not anticipate other qualified sources; however, should any responses be received, they will be evaluated to determine if they can meet future needs of the Government. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (FAR 6.303-2(a)(7). After a thorough web search, no other suppliers were located that could supply this service due to the unique requirements. 8. Description of Market Research (FAR6.303-2 (a)(8). USDA/ARS is constantly surveying the market and from this experience knows that the service is only available from the vendor identified. 9. Any Other Supporting Facts (FAR 6.303-2(a)(9)) Due to the research protocol only one source has been found available. 10. Listing of Interested Sources (FAR 6.303-2(a)(10). No other sources are available at this time. 11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition (FAR 6.303(a)(11)). Vendor surveys are done from time to time to see if other existing items can meet the research requirements 12. Technical Requirements and Certifications; (FAR 6.303-1(b) and FAR 6.303-2(b) I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: (FAR 6.303-1(A), 6.303-2(A)(12) I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. //s// Name: Georgetta Stonewall Title: Contract Specialist