R --Intent to Negotiate with Banneker Industries, Inc. for Property, Logistics, and Administrative Support Services

The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) intends to issue a non-competitive request for proposal for a short-term contract with Banneker Industries, Inc. of Lincoln, RI under solicitation number DTRT57-07-R-20006. The statutory authority permitting contracting without providing for full and open competition is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The determination by the Government not to compete this requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. Banneker Industries, Inc. is the incumbent on-site contractor performing these services under Contract Number DTRS57-03-C-10023, which will end 11/30/2006. The proposed contract will have a two month period of performance beginning 12/01/2006, and an option for a third month. During performance of this short-term contract, the Volpe Center expects to issue a long-term contract for the same services resulting from Solicitation Number DTRT57-06-R-20032, a competitive 8(a) Program procurement. Banneker Industries, Inc. cannot compete for the long-term contract because it has graduated from the 8(a) Program. Under the short-term contract, Banneker Industries, Inc. will be required to provide training and orientation to the new contractor. The short-term contract with Banneker Industries, Inc. will be a Firm-Fixed-Price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, and no Request for Proposals will be available. Interested parties must respond in writing within 15 days of publication. ATTENTION: Minority, Women-owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)! The Department of Transportation (DOT), Short-Term Lending Program (STLP) offers working capital financing in the form of lines of credit to finance accounts receivable for transportation related contracts. Maximum line of credit is $750,000 with interest at the prime rate, as published daily in the Wall Street Journal, plus 1.75 percent. For further information, call (800) 532-1169. Internet address: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov/.