76 -- Newswire Support Services

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to negotiate and award a sole-source Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract to Associated Press, 1825 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006 for newswire services. The contractor shall provide news and information to the DHS Office of State and Local Government Coordination (OSLGC) to allow coordination, collection and sharing of information concerning state, local, tribal and territorial government and the first responder community. The scope of the work shall include news coverage, subscriptions, and web access. The contractor shall provide comprehensive global news coverage, specifically news, photos, graphics, audio and video services. The contractor shall provide news and information to OSLGC at the same time as the newspapers. The news coverage reports shall cover all 50 state newswires as they are being distributed to the press agencies. These reports shall cover stories of regional and statewide interest for every state in the nation to include, but not limited to: breaking news, national security issues, world news, national news, news alerts, business news, and regional weather forecasts. In addition, the contractor shall provide a complete monitoring of the Homeland Security news. The contractor shall provide subscriptions to several different wire services. The subscriptions shall provide access for up to 20 users at one time and it shall be accessible through a web-base interface. The contractor shall be responsible for updating and providing technical support to DHS OSLGC for using a web-based interface in support the subscription services and news coverage. The contractor shall administer the web access and user accounts. The contractor shall also provide initial instruction or manuals on the use of the web-based interface to all new subscribers. The period of performance for this requirement is as follows: Base period: 6 months; Option 1: 6 months; and Option 2: 12 months. The proposed contract is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. This is a notice of intent and IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting DHS's requirement as stated herein may submit their corporate capabilities, which if received by the response date of this announcement may be considered. Responses to this posting must be in writing. Information received shall be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The estimated value of this proposed award is $266,400 (including option periods). The anticipated award date is 29 September 2006. Interested sources are invited to submit a statement of capability to include company name, address, and point of contact, telephone number, e-mail address, and facsimile number. Please submit any responses to this notice in writing via electronic mail to Angela Bruce Dunson, Contract Specialist on [email protected]. No phone calls will be accepted.