R --Circulation Study Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Assessment Planning

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration, located in Cambridge Massachusetts plans to issue a sole source simplified acquisition to the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG). The NMCOG is to assist the Volpe Center with Downtown Lowell Circulation Study Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Assessment planning activities to continue the process for consideration into the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts program. The proposed system is designed to improve mobility in downtown Lowell where streets are narrow and auto congestion is common. The NMCOG will provide technical assistance relative to the Downtown Lowell Circulation Study Alternative s Analysis and Environmental Assessment, consistent with FTA New Start guidelines and NPS TAG report recommendations. The FTA New Starts program, at this time, is anticipated to be the primary source of federal capital funds for developing and expanding the trolley system. In the short-term, NMCOG will assist the Volpe Center in its efforts with the Lowell National Historic Park (LNHP) and its partners in the Lowell trolley transit expansion project. The work tasks to be completed by NMCOG are as follows: Technical Assistance to the Project Advisory Committee, Travel Demand Forecasting Model Data Development, Public Involvement Program and Environmental Justice, Economic Development Analysis, Feasibility Assessment of Selected Alternatives, Alternative Funding Analysis Work Product Review , and Environmental Review and Permitting. This procurement will be conducted under Simplified Acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. The NAICS Code is 541990 and the small business Size Standard is $6M. Interested small business firms have 15 calendar days from the date of this synopsis publication to submit in writing to the above named point of contact, clear and convincing documentation of their company’s capability to provide required services. Such documentation will be utilized solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. 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 as referenced above. This notice of i ntent is not a request for competitive quotes. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order 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 Quote (RFQ) issuance will be on or about August 26, 2005. Small business 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. No telephone requests will be accepted – only written requests via email for this solicitation will be accepted. The URL address of the Volpe Center Acquisition Management Division home page is: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/procure/index.html. A TTENTION: 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/.