19--Aluminum Mud Boat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is set to award a noncompetitive contract to Ronnie's Airboat & Fabrication for the procurement of a custom-made aluminum mud boat. This specialized vessel is designed as a hybrid combining the features of a conventional mud boat with a shallow water propulsion system, specifically tailored to operate effectively in post-hurricane conditions. The decision to forgo competitive bidding is based on justifications aligning with federal acquisition regulations, ensuring the purchase meets the service’s unique operational requirements without the need for solicitation. Interested parties were invited to submit written inquiries or concerns by May 1, 2006, with no telephone requests accepted, after which an award would be confirmed if no responses were received. This procurement is identified under solicitation number 4361006114 and categorized as a total small business set-aside per FAR 19.5. The contract is managed by the FWS Headquarters, part of the Department of the Interior, located in Falls Church, Virginia. While the exact place of performance details remain unspecified, all official communications were directed to Lewis Boggan via fax or email. This approach ensures streamlined acquisition for a critical asset designed to support environmental and operational needs in challenging post-disaster scenarios.