Solicitation Number: D11PS19169 Title: Subscription - Global Biofuels Center (GBC) Agency Contact Information:Acquisition Services DirectorateNational Business CenterDepartment of the Interior381 Elden Street, Suite 4000Herndon, VA 20170 Place of Performance: Washington, DC The Government intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, a firm-fixed-price (FFP) acquisition with Hart Energy Consulting. This non-competitive action is being issued by the Acquisition Services Directorate under the authority of the Department of the Interior Franchise Fund on the behalf of the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS). Description of Requirement: FAS and other USDA agencies require private sector goods and services to fill in existing international biofuel industry data gaps, and information on foreign biofuel policy and program support. Both the scope (country coverage) and depth (studies on special topics) of coverage is important, and access to industry conferences for dozens of Washington-based staff and at least 40 FAS overseas staff are needed. FAS represents the trade interests of US agricultural industries that provide feedstock for biofuels, and supports the Administration's efforts to build the US biofuels industry while promoting the development of a global, bioenergy-based economy. This mission is achieved, in part, by analyzing and communicating market and policy developments impacting the US and foreign biofuels and related feedstock markets. Biofuels policy is evolving rapidly, and industry data sets for emerging overseas industries are often incomplete or inaccurate. FAS existing market intelligence network (21 Annual Biofuels Reports submitted by FAS Posts and three online newsletters) does not provide a sufficiently complete or accurate picture of global biofuels markets and the policy/program environment. Attendance at industry conferences and briefings, especially for overseas biofuels staff, remains limited due to prohibitively high fees and hampers high-quality reporting. Comparisons between Post reports and newsletters reveal considerable data discrepancies that can't be readily reconciled. Membership in Hart's GBC offers FAS Washington-based and overseas staff, as well as other USDA staff, access to high-quality market intelligence on biofuels, access to industry experts, and access to conferences. Specific GBC membership benefits are:" Country Data. GBC compiles biofuels industry data on 69 countries covering production capacity and other key statistics, and organizes this data so they are easy to access." High-quality Reports. GBC provides reports on all biofuels relevant market and policy issues including subsidies, import tariffs and other support and protection measures, status on attaining policy goals, sustainability, food prices, and climate change." Briefings. GBC regularly offers access to organized webcasts and industry conferences at no additional cost to members." Industry Experts. GBC offers access to Hart's global network of industry experts who compile primary industry data and information on policy and programs at no additional cost to members. This action is being processed in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source, and solicited in accordance with FAR 13.5, Test Program for Certain Commercial Items. Hart Energy Consulting currently provides these types of subscriptions. No other organization is known to provide these types of subscriptions. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities regarding this requirement by submitting a capabilities statement by the date specified herein. The period of performance for this effort will be one year. The Government will consider all capabilities statements received by 12pm EST, Wednesday, August 24 , 2011. Please be advised that it is the offeror's responsibility to assure the Government receives your submission on or before the specified due date. Submissions shall be sent electronically to Michael McGuire, Contracting Officer at
[email protected]. This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this announcement is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received is solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive acquisition. The Government reserves the right to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) as a result of this announcement. Please be advised that this announcement may constitute the only notice that will be posted for this acquisition, based on the review of any responses to this notice.