12--MARSH MASTER II

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to award a sole-source, noncompetitive contract to Coast Machinery, Inc. for the acquisition of a MARSH MASTER II Amphibious Track Vehicle, along with an Overhead Aluminum Screen Basket and a customized tandem-axle tilt trailer with electric brakes. This equipment is intended for use at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Hackberry, Louisiana. The decision to forego competitive bidding is based on Coast Machinery, Inc.'s unique capability to supply this specialized amphibious vehicle equipped with a patented fire suppression system, which addresses a specific need for lightweight vehicles that can navigate sensitive wetland environments like bayous and sloughs with minimal ecological impact. The contract justification follows federal acquisition regulations allowing exceptions to competition due to the proprietary nature of the product. The notice clarifies that this is not a request for quotations and all inquiries must be submitted in writing by March 31, 2003, with no acceptance of telephone requests. If no responses are received by the deadline, the contract will be awarded directly to Coast Machinery, Inc. The procurement is designated as a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, and the office managing the contract is located in Falls Church, Virginia, under the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service headquarters.