99--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IV&V FACILITY

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility owned by the West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVURC) and located in Fairmont, WV. NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the services from the West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVURC). The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), Only One Responsible Source. The IV&V facility was constructed by WVURC under a NASA grant, and title of the completed facility was transferred to WVURC. The grant also stipulated that NASA would occupy the facility to perform IV&V services for the Agency. In support of this activity, NASA has funded WVURC for the operation and maintenance of the facility in support of the NASA activities conducted at the facility since the original occupation in October 1993. Therefore, this action will result in a follow-on contract to the current cooperative agreement with WVURC. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued provision of specialized services, such services may be deemed to be available from the original source and may be procured through procedures other than competitive procedures when it is likely that award to a source other than the original source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government which is not expected to be recovered through competition. Based on this, competition of the effort is not reasonable because of the substantial investment in the physical facility and the fact that WVURC has title to the facility and is the owner/operator. Therefore, WVURC is determined to be the only responsible source capable of providing the O&M and other physical infrastructure necessary to support NASA operations. The anticipated period of performance of the resultant contract is 10 years. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See note 22. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on February 13, 2002. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed, See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html