D --Electronic Library Service

The US Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) located in Cambridge Massachusetts plans to procure sole source with Information Handling Services. Market research shows that Information Handling Service is the only supplier of the specific regulatory specification and standard documents currently required to be consolidated. The Volpe Center is tasked to acquire, implement, and manage the electronic library and subscription of required specifications and standards for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Office (PHMSA). The PHMSA State Program electronic distribution of regulatory specifications and standards data was a project started in 2001 by the Office of Pipeline Safety. The electronic distribution of regulatory data and industry standards is one of the steps OPS has taken and continues to provide to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of inspection and enforcement activities. The goals of this project are: (1) to provide consolidated network access to the regulatory data electronically; (2) to ensure the regulatory data is up to date; and (3) minimize field inspectors’ time in locating the appropriate regulatory information. These regulatory specifications and standards are published from many different sources including public, private and non-profit organizations. Due to the multiple sources, it is difficult for OPS and the SPP to keep a complete set of pertinent standards up-to-date and in a format that can be electronical ly cross-referenced. Without pipeline electronic industry standards, OPS and the SPP will not be able to efficiently perform mission essential regulatory functions and inspection services. The Custom Collection Intraspex network service, a proprietary server, will be provided as a multi-site subscription. This service will be provided on an annual subscription basis and the system will be updated daily. This procurement will be conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. The NAICS Code is 518112. Interested 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 provid e required services. Such documentation will be utilized solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. 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. 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 intent 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 reis sue as a competitive procurement. The Request for Quote (RFQ) issuance to the above identified firm will be on or about June 2, 2005. 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. 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. Fo r further information, call (800) 532-1169. Internet address: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov/.