--Notice of Intent to award sole source contract to Segway Inc

Under the authority of FAR 15, the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville, AL intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source basis with Segway Inc, not to exceed $48,500.00. This order will be the Segway Robotic Mobilit y Platform (RMP) equipment purchase which is required to support our CRADA with Auburn University for development on the Transportable Manned and Robotic Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM) Tow Vehicle project. The Segway products are the base technology pro posed for this project. They are the sole source of small, inexpensive, battery powered robots that have the towing capacity and minimal affect to geophysical equipment. The RMP technology is protected by a number of US patents on its unique drive, balanc e and control systems. As part of the project selection process the units were extensively tested with the geophysical equipment by the Center. The performance of the Segway equipment was the basis for the competitively selected proposal. No one other then Segway can provide this technology. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of deter mining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability in response to this requirement to Angela Saville at [email protected]. This announcement will close on 14 April 200 6 at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.