56--Anticipated sole source acquisition of glazecovered type of clay bricks which includesthe EZ Wall System.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17, plans to award a sole source contract to ACME Brick Company of Fort Worth, Texas, for the procurement of a specialized line of glazed clay body bricks manufactured by Elgin-Butler and distributed exclusively by ACME. This contract includes specific product numbers: #5000 Cordova Cream, #2200 Cobalt, #4005 Burnt Sienna, and #4124 Plum, as well as the EZ Wall System designed for these bricks. The procurement is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures and other than full and open competition authority as outlined in FAR 6.302-1, with the NAICS code 327331. The solicitation was set to be issued around November 19, 2007, with a bid opening around November 28, 2007, and will be conducted in commercial item format without the release of written documents or acceptance of telephone inquiries. This contract effort reflects a decision to purchase a highly specific product line exclusively from ACME Brick Company due to unique manufacturing and distribution arrangements. The government retains discretion on whether to compete this requirement after reviewing any responses to the notice. Interested parties could obtain more information by contacting the designated VA representative, Michael Willcut. The acquisition supports the infrastructure needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs ensuring high-quality, consistent brick materials for their projects.