23--This is a NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT using Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1 for Other than Full and Open Competition

The Department of Defense, through the Natick Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center, intends to enter into a sole source contract with American Science and Engineering Inc., located in Billerica, Massachusetts. This contract will provide thirty-seven Z-Backscatter Van Military Trailers designed to support operational requirements in Afghanistan. The contractor will be responsible for all labor, materials, and services related to the production, installation, testing, training, warranty, and maintenance of the trailers at their own expense. This acquisition is designated under the NAICS code 334517, applicable to a small business size standard of 500 employees, and is set aside entirely for small business participation. The procurement is being conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, which allows for negotiation without full and open competition. Interested parties were notified that this action is not a solicitation for competitive proposals but rather a notice of intent to award. Responses or inquiries had a deadline of January 4, 2010, at 12:00 PM EST. The contracting office point of contact for this action is John Loper, Contract Specialist, who can be reached via email. The contracting activity is based in Natick, Massachusetts, and the contract aims to fulfill critical defense needs through a streamlined sole source procurement process.