56--Notice if Intent to Sole Source Clayey Gravel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Contracting Office intends to solicit on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) to Tanner Heavy Equipment Company, LLC., 284 Tanner Rd Leesville, LA 71446-6907 for clayey-gravel material. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The Impact and Explosion Effects Branch (IEEB) and Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory use clayey-sand material for backfills in soil crater experiments being conducted at Range 19, Fort Polk, LA. These experiments are being conducted to provide data to quantify the effect of variations in explosive charge type, mass, and depth of burial (DOB) on crater size. The soil used in each test must be consistent throughout the range of experiments conducted to ensure that quality data is obtained and comparable results are achieved. Even small changes in the soil composition or gradation can cause significant variations in the crater size, possibly masking the variations caused by changes in the charge type, mass, and the DOB rendering the data questionable or useless. In previous experiments, clayey-sand obtained from Tanner Heavy Equipment's pit in Leesville, LA was used. This material is well characterized by the IEEB and meets all gradation, composition, and compaction requirements set forth by the test program. Clayey-gravel from Tanner Heavy's pit has been used in previous soil experiments and must be used again to maintain consistency in testing. This material is the only soil in the area that matches the particle size distribution properties from previous experiments. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 13. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to [email protected] no later than 12:00 pm CST on Mar 26, 2015. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. No RFP will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent.