17 -- Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The contract involves a sole source award to Hobart Ground Power Company of Troy, Ohio, for the procurement of one ASP 180 Trilectron Trailer mounted Jet Start Unit equipped with a Detroit Model Series 60 engine. The unit will include a 40-foot air delivery hose and an aircraft coupler in a standard white color. This is a brand name sole source contract under FAR 6.302, meaning the government intends to negotiate exclusively with Hobart Ground Power Company without soliciting competitive proposals. However, the notice invites interested parties to express their interest and capability to meet the requirement by submitting information or proposals by May 20, 2003, at 5:00 pm CST, although the government reserves the right to proceed without competition based on responses received. The notice emphasizes that responses will be considered only to determine whether a competitive procurement should be pursued, not as a formal request for proposals. Interested parties can submit capability statements via fax or email, including detailed equipment specifications. The contracting office handling this action is the Procurement Directorate Contracting Division within the Department of Homeland Security, based in Washington, DC. The sole source award reflects a specific need for the brand name equipment offered solely by Hobart Ground Power Company.