76 -- Contract for Services from Press Association to Access News Wire

The Office of the Secretary/Office of Public Affairs intends to contract for services from the Associated Press, the nation's oldest, largest and most widely cited news wire service, for a period of ten months, from December 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005. AP meets our needs to access national, state and local news by providing on-line access to their Washington Report and Education Alert services. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the government will consider all proposals received within 10 days after the date of publication of this synopsis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Responsible sources may submit a bid or quotation, which, if timely received will be considered. Contact Cindy Dixon, Office of the Secretary, Phone: 202/401-3090, Email: [email protected].