99 -- Reuters News Service

The U.S. Secret Service plans to enter into negotiations on a sole source basis with Reuters America, Inc. for the provision of Reuters News Service. This action is being taken under the authority of FAR 6.302, allowing the government to negotiate without a competitive solicitation. The notice explicitly states that it is neither a request for proposal nor an invitation for offers, and no formal solicitation package is provided. Interested parties had a limited timeframe of three calendar days from the notice date to submit written responses, with the anticipated contract award date set for around December 14, 2005. The government clarified that it would not be responsible for any costs incurred in preparing responses. The contract is identified under solicitation number Reference-Number-76776, with the NAICS code 519110, indicating the industry classification for news syndicates. The contracting agency is the Department of Homeland Security’s Fletc Glynco Procurement Office, located in Brunswick, Georgia. The place of performance details are unspecified. The decision not to open the requirement to full and open competition remains at the discretion of the government, underscoring the sole source nature of this negotiation.