63 -- Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole Source Contract

This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The Bureau of Public Debt, on behalf of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), intends to solicit a proposal and negotiate a sole-source contract with HomeFree Inc. to provide a wireless resident/patient monitoring system to include system training and an extended maintenance agreement. The AFRH requires that residents have the dignity and freedom to walk throughout the Campus's 200 plus wooded acres with multiple accessible buildings. For purposes of safety it is necessary to keep track of the 1,300 individual residents throughout the campus in a non-intrusive manner at all times. HomeFree Inc. is the only company that provides the products to meet the agency's goal of monitoring the residents in a dignified, inconspicuous, and non-intrusive manner at all times. The watch has multiple sensors, including strap tamper, body sensor and motion sensors described as follows: a) Strap Alerts - The watch will alert when the strap is open or cut, a message will be sent to the pagers indicating resident name and location. b) Body Sensor - In the event a resident is able to slide the watch off the hand, the body sensor will alert staff that the watch is removed. c) Motion Monitoring - The watch is equipped with a sensitive motion sensor indicating the residents' real-time motion level. Staff can set timeframes (e.g. night time) in which extensive motion readings will be reported. The system will also alert in the event a resident is motionless for a long period of time. The contractor will be required to install the monitoring system in seven buildings, designated outdoor areas, and other areas as required to provide total campus coverage. This installation will be at the AFRH's Washington, DC campus facility. The statutory authority for permitting other than full and open competition is implemented by FAR 6.302-1(b)(2) which authorizes other than full and open competition when there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements; when the existence of limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights, or secret processes; the control of basic raw material; or similar circumstances, make the supplies and services available from only one source. Firms that want to challenge the sole-source must submit an interest letter that demonstrates the firm's ability to provide the above services. Interested parties may submit a proposal and rationale as to why they should be considered within 15 days of the posting date of this notice.