Lodging, Meeting Space, Meals for Leapfest

INITIAL POSTING: Lodging, Meeting Space and Meals for Leapfest 2024. See detail attached Combined Synopsis/Solicitation and Attachment #1 and J & A for Sole Source AMENDMENT 0001: The purpose of this amendment is to 1) update the NAICS code which was incorrectly input at time of initial posting; and 2) update the description as detailed below. AMENDMENT 0002: The purpose of this amendment is 1) update Attachment #1 and 2) update the due date and time. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(13) the Pre-solicitation Synopsis for this requirement is waived. The solicitation, W912LD24Q0017, is released and attached. This announcment will be open for less than 30 days, in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) requires Meals and Lodging provided by the Univeristy of Rhode Island in support of personnel and competitors for the 2024 LEAPFEST to be held from July 28 - August 7 2024. RIARNG intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order on a sole source basis to the University of Rhode Island (URI), 75 LOWER COLLEGE RD, KINGSTON, RI 02881-1974 (CAGE Code: 9B968). Local Government Per Diem rates for the time of the year when LEAPFEST will be held is significantly higher than the cost of lodging per night/per bed offered by URI. Additionally, the combined cost per meal utilizing the dining services at URI is far below the GSA daily per diem rate for the area during the time of year LEAPfest is being held. In addition, Market Research of the Rhode Island area has shown that no other organization withing a 15-mile radius of the LEAPFEST competition drop-off and pick-up locations has the ability to accomodate this requirement at one location. The use of other locations would require participants in the competition to split into group for assignment at different loding locations and eating establishments resulting in increased travel times between team rotations during the compeition, which would result in jumping delays and increased costs associated with travel. Therefore, URI is the only venue able to meet all of the necessary criteria for this requirement. This requirement is being solicited on a sole source basis to URI, as concurred with by the RIARNG Office of Small Business Programs. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to complete this acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.