The U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, WBSC, Stoneville, Mississippi, intends to award a sole source procurement to MC SHANNON, AGRI-WATER, 1033 Barkentine DR, New Bern, NC, 28560 for contracted service to provide advice, counsel, and assistance to the ARS Southeast Area Office and other ARS personnel as appropriate on issues related to the establishing the research program for the Stoneville Water Center. Services will include developing position descriptions for scientific personnel, developing position announcements for recruitment, and helping to write a project plan. Services also include interfacing with university cooperators, as appropriate. Service hours shall not exceed 450 hours. The procured services will include the following responsibilities: 1. Solidify direction, research approaches, goals and products and communicate such to line management and stakeholder groups. a. Consult with scientists from ARS and MSU and identify those that can contribute to specific aspects of the development, assessment, and conduct of a research plan. Deliverable: Convene a panel discussion and generate a report that outlines research approaches and objectives based on PDRAM objectives for the water center. b. Work with cooperators and stakeholders at MSU and the Delta Council to ensure that all objectives, expectations, and products are addressed by the research. Deliverable: Present findings of the report in 1a to customers and stakeholders to obtain feedback and ensure that their concerns are being addressed. c. Work with the SEA Office, ONP, and SEA scientists to draft a project plan that addresses PD-RAM objectives and complements other SEA projects. Deliverable: In collaboration with SEA and MSU scientists, provide draft project plans to send to OSQR for review. 2. Work with the SEA Office to initiate necessary agreements. a. Assess the research facilities (offices, laboratories, greenhouses, and field) and propose a plan for improvement and use of the facilities. Deliverable: Provide a report recommending potential improvements to buildings and grounds for use as a research facility. b. Consult with SEA Office and Business Center personnel in developing a specific cooperative agreement with MSU. Deliverable: Develop a specific cooperative agreement with MSU. 3. Review the plan for research equipment expenditures to ensure that expenditures are timely and relevant. a. Provide recommendations on first year budget and equipment plans, including prioritization. Deliverable: Provide a prioritized list of recommendations. b. Assess project budget and equipment needs for second year and provide recommendations. Deliverable: Provide a prioritized list of recommendations. 4. Initiate the documentation needed to hire scientific staff. a. Assess skills and expertise needed to address the research objectives. Deliverable: Using an existing list of proposed scientists as a basis, provide a recommendation for ARS SY expertise. b. Develop and provide position descriptions for scientific personnel, beginning with the position of research leader. Deliverable: Provide position descriptions for ARS scientists. c. Work with Human Resources personnel to develop position announcements and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for recruitment of scientists. Deliverable: Provide draft position announcements and KSAs for scientists. MC SHANNON, AGRI-WATER's principal has 33 years of experience in water resource research as a research scientist, research leader, and director at the ARS Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, CA. The contractor's principal has extensive leadership experience as Research Leader (12 years), Laboratory Director (5 years), Associate Area Director Pacific West (3 years), and National Program Leader for Water Quality and Water Quantity (3 years). Much of that leadership experience was in the area of water resources. In various roles, the contractor directly implemented new research programs, often involving new congressionally mandated funding. The contractor's principal worked closely with stakeholders from the university and private sectors. The contractor's principal has worked extensively with program, budget, personnel and agreement issues. MC SHANNON, AGRI-WATER is the only known contractor qualified for this assignment due to its unique and detailed knowledge of research in water resources, extensive experience in working with natural resources in the ARS Office of National Programs, and experience working with the establishment of a water research focused ARS work site in Jonesboro, Arkansas. This knowledge and expertise will satisfy the Southeast Area Office's goals for initiating the Water Center research program to address customer and stakeholder needs. Pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The contracted service is a requirement of the USDA, ARS, Southeast Area Office, Stoneville, MS. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on or about July 18, 2017. This Notice of Intent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 12:00 PM Central Standard Time, July 17, 2017. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email/ mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address: Contracting Office Address: USDA-ARS-WBSC Shalunda Mix 141 Experiment Station Road Stoneville, MS. 38776-0225
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