Notice of Intent to Sole Source 3365-19-1021

This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation, but merely notification of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) intent to issue, on a sole-source basis, a firm fixed-price contract to BlueCrest, Inc for the purchase and maintenance of one EPIC Inserter machine and related software at the Second Support Center in Durham, NC. The EPIC inserter cuts individual SSN cards from a 2,000 card bundle, obtains the security information from the Track and Trace system, inserts the cards into envelopes, applies postage, and prepares sealed envelopes for pickup. The EPIC machine must be identical to the two EPIC inserters at the Perimeter East Building in Baltimore, MD and will include Track and Trace features for providing security measures necessary for the controlling and accounting of new and replacement SSN cards. Under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 6.302-1, the Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The EPIC Inserter is only available from its producer and manufacturer and not through dealers or distributors. The period of performance for associated maintenance will be for a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, if exercised. This requirement is utilizing procedures in FAR Part 13. A determination by SSA not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of SSA. Information received will be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The government does not intend to pay for information provided in response to this notice. Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement with identical EPIC Inserters. Responses shall be submitted by 9:00AM ET on Tuesday, January, 15, 2019 to [email protected] . If SSA does not receive an acceptable response to this announcement by January 15, 2019, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), negotiations will be conducted with BlueCrest, Inc. as the only source and a contract will be issued without any additional notices being posted. Respondents should refer to 3365-19-1021 in their responses.