R --Modifications and Enhancement to EPA Region 5 FIELDS Contamination Analysis System

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) located in Cambridge, Massachusetts plans to procure on a sole source basis with the University of Tennessee. The purpose of this procurement is for the Volpe Center to support modifications, enhancements, and various upgrades to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 FIELDS Contamination Analysis System. An integral part of this system is the Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance (SADA) and the F/S Plus applications developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee?s Center for Information Studies. The partnership between FIELDS and SADA was initiated to continue the independent development of SADA and exchange technology on site characterization software. However, as site characterization and the methods for collecting and analyzing data continue to evolve and improve, these applications require enhancements, modifications, and upgrades in order to incorporate these new and improved analysis techniques. No other vendor can conduct this requirement since the software applications that will be used in this procurement were developed as a joint partnership with the University of Tennessee. Their unique expertise, capabilities, and institutional knowledge with regard to the tasks to be performed make them the only responsible source that can satisfy the Government?s requirement. This procurement will be conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15. The NAICS Code is 541511 and the small business size standard is $23M. Interested firms have 15 calendar days from the date of this synopsis publication to submit in writing via email to the above named point of contact, clear and convincing documentation of their company?s capability to provide the required services. Such documentation will be utilized solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Firms will be required to submit a maximum of three (3) but not less than two (2) pages of documentation in support of the above for evaluation prior to receiving a solicitation. This proposed action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority in FAR Part 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses received to this notice would normally be considered, solely for the purpose of determining whether to reissue as a competitive procurement. The Request for Proposal (RFP) issuance to the above identified firm will be on or about July 7, 2006. No telephone requests will be accepted. The URL address of the Volpe Center Acquisition Division home page is: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/procure/index.html. 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/