The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Southern Area Contracting Team, intends to solicit, negotiate and award a contract on a Sole Source basis to Premier Contract Carpet, Inc., located in Tucker, Georgia 30084. The Contracting Officer has determined that Premier Contract Carpet, Inc. is the only source that can reasonably meet the VBA's requirement pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, Other Than Full and Open Competition - Only One Source. The VBA shall require Premier Contract Carpet, Inc., to provide carpet, carpet tiles and carpet inserts to match existing flooring. Premier Contract Carpet, Inc. was the original provider and installer of the carpet. The flooring is worn and it has been determined that matching existing flooring is the most cost effective method of fulfilling this requirement for the Government. The items that will be purchased are: C-2 Interface Flooring Hanover Patina - 396 Square Yard; C-1 Interface Flooring Berlin Patina - 212 Square Yard; Heavy Duty - Wrought Iron Inserts - 1260 inserts; RB-1 Johnsonite 4" Straight Black, 1680 Linear Foot. The NAICS code assigned to this project is 238330. This notice is not a competitive request for proposals. A competitive solicitation will not be issued. However, the Government will give consideration to interested small business parties that identify their interest and capability submitted to the Contracting Officer by 4:00 PM EDST September 18, 2015. All responses shall be emailed to Elaine Judson at
[email protected]. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority. The statutory exception permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (5), Authorized or Required by Statute as implemented by FAR 6.302-5. The applicable statute is Public Law 109-461, Veterans First Contracting Program. 5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications. NCS has met the terms of our existing contract (VA-316-PO-00018) since September 30, 2010. Currently, NCS is providing the VA the necessary data to meet The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements where VA was instructed to develop an outcome measure that would identify a rate or percentage of veterans that use their educational assistance benefit to readjust to civilian life; specifically complete a degree. Using this outcome measure in the Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) will assist in improving Federal government program performance. A PART review helps identify a programs strengths and weaknesses to inform funding and management decisions aimed at making the program more effective. NSC is a non-profit organization founded by the higher education community, and streamlines the student record verification process for colleges and universities, high schools and high school districts, students and alumni, lending institutions, employers, the U.S. Department of Education and other organizations. The Clearinghouse maintains a comprehensive electronic registry of student records that provides a single, automated point-of-contact for organizations and individuals requiring timely, accurate verification of student enrollment, diploma, degree, and loan data. VA is unaware of any other organization, company (nor veteran owned businesses) or agency that maintains a data resource as thorough as NCS. More than 3,400 colleges, enrolling 96% of US college students, and hundreds of high school districts nationwide participate in the Clearinghouse. The federal government and others access NSC registry over 100 million times annually to conduct electronic student record verifications.