75 -- Intent to Sole Source

BACKGROUNDThe Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Division for Human Resources Products and Services, Center for Retirement and Insurance Service, Retirement Services Program, mails Retirement Services Reference cards to new retirees, survivors of retirees, and retirees requesting a replacement card. The card identifies the individual's name, retirement claim number, and the back of the card has OPM internet and telephone contact information. SUMMARY OPM intends to issue a sole-source, firm-fixed price purchase order to Xerox Corporation to purchase 100,000 Retirement Services Reference Cards in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1); FAR 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This requirement will be awarded to a large business. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 333313. A market research was conducted and there were not two or more small businesses that could fulfill this requirement. DESCRIPTION The Contractor is required to provide 100,000 Retirement Services Reference Cards in accordance with the following specifications: Document Specifications: 8.5 x 11, 28 lb. white paper; pressure seal - C fold format; 2 sets of horizontal, fold-assist perforations along 8.5 dimension (perfs are 1/16 x 1/16); 2 sets of vertical tear-off perforations along 11 dimension (perfs are 1/32 x 1/32); Prints 4-color process plus black. Card Specifications: 2-1/8 x 3-3/8, .007 white; heat, tear, and water-resistant; prints 4-color process plus black. These cards are to be used with the Xerox 4635 Printer and Moore LaserMate LM-20 Pressure Seal Mailing System. DELIVERABLES 100,000 Retirement Services Reference Cards made in accordance with the specifications above are to be delivered by February 1, 2005 to the Alexandria Distribution Center, 929 S. Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA 22304, Attn: Dave Funsten, CON 158983, RI 20-2, 10/2003 edition. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: We have tried other products by other manufacturers which caused major delays and incurred significant costs. It is imperative that these cards are distributed in a timely manner. Delays and malfunctions will be detrimental with the deliverance of these cards to annuitants. We have encountered significant problems caused by substandard paper produced by other manufacturers in the past. We have met with other manufacturers about procuring an improved product. It was suggested that we procure a credit card-like product which would have been costly and forced us to purchase new in-house printing equipment. Contracting out because of equipment issues would have increased the final cost significantly. The Xerox Corporation has an existing product that meets our specifications - the DocuCard. This product meets our budget requirements and can be used with our existing Xerox and Moore equipment. Interested parties are reminded that information furnished under this solicitation may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Therefore, items that are confidential to businesses, or contain trade secrets, proprietary, or personnel information must be clearly marked. Marking of items will not necessarily preclude disclosure when OPM or the Government determines disclosure when they are warranted by FOIA. However, if such items are not marked, all information contained within the submitted documents will be deemed to be releasable. This in no way obligates the Government to award a sole-source BPA. This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all interested parties who believe they can meet this requirement are invited to submit a statement of capability with pricing information, within 15 days of publication of this notice. The Government will not pay for information provided. Information received as a result of this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive requirement. Interested parties are requested to contact Toni Campbell at contact@example.gov or by fax at +1 (555) 000-0000.