89--Notice of Intent - Fresh Produce Delivery

Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 (NCO 6) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Keany Produce Company (DUNS: 055189856), pursuant to FAR part 12, FAR part 13, and specifically FAR 13.106-1(b)(2). The proposed sole source purchase order is for fresh produce delivery, as needed, to the VA Richmond Medical Center (Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center) in Richmond, Virginia. The NAICS code for this contract action is 311991, PERISHABLE PREPARED FOOD MANUFACTURING, with a Size Standard of 500 employees. The Product Service Code for this action is 8915, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. The facility requires the delivery of fresh produce on an as needed basis. The required produce delivery includes multiple orders per week, with a ten (10) case minimum order quantity, throughout the period of performance. The authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. 1901 and is implemented by for restricting competition on this procurement via FAR 13.106-1(b)(2). A combined synopsis/solicitation was posted to FBO.gov on 23 December 2017 as solicitation number VA246-17-Q-0296, set-aside for small businesses, specifically for this same requirement. The solicitation returned zero (0) offers. Four (4) potential sources had been identified during the original market research and subsequent calls to seven (7) major hospitals in Virginia. Those four (4) potential sources included both small and large businesses. Repeated attempts were made to obtain offers from two (2) small businesses, however neither company was interested in the facility s specific contract requirement. A large business has supplied fresh produce to the facility in the past, when necessary, but has not been able to meet all facility needs associated with this requirement. Market research and the results of solicitation VA246-17-Q-0296 have identified Keany Produce Company (DUNS: 055189856) as the only available source to meet this requirement. Informal vendor quotes and procurement history have been evaluated to determine that the price will be fair and reasonable. Seven (7) medical facilities, not affiliated with the Veterans Health Administration, were contacted to determine their current produce suppliers. The Vendor Information Pages (VIP) were also searched, for SDVOSB and VOSB suppliers, but the identified companies were not interested in providing an offer. Other local produce suppliers were identified through review of acquisition history and findings from internet search queries. Keany Produce Company (DUNS: 055189856) remains the only identified, capable source for this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement, may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 05:00PM EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Daniel Spaulding, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.