J--Weatherometer and Fadeometer PM/Calibration Services Contract

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Warfighter Protection and Aerial Delivery Directorate (WARPAD), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Harris Weathering Products, Inc., West Falmouth, MA 02574. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: Acquisition reform mandates the government use commercial test methods, such as the American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC), when testing military and commercial fabrics and other related items. In compliance with the test methodologies, the equipment must be maintained and calibrated to perform certified Test Method 16 (Colorfastness to Light) and Test Method 169 (Weathering Resistance) testing. WARPAD requirement is for the renewal of the existing PM/Calibration Service Contract of the Atlas laboratory equipment to ensure no lapse in service and test result accuracy. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): Harris Weathering Products, Inc. is the Northeast authorized sales and service representative for Atlas Material Testing Technology, LLC and Atlas Weathering Services Group. Harris Weathering Products is the current provider of preventative maintenance and calibration services for the Atlas weatherometer and fadeometer systems. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: No market research was conducted. This requirement is a renewal of the active Service Contract to ensure no lapse in service and that test data results are accurate, repeatable, and trustworthy. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: Customers are assured with accurate testing data that meet our high quality certification. Maintenance of our laboratory equipment is part of the annual Quality Assurance (QA) process. 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: None 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: contact@example.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. May 10, 2010. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Stephen Reffel, Contract Specialist contact@example.gov