Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole Source Award

The USDA, ARS, WBSC, College Station, Texas intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) with Katyas Corporation, dba, Barron & Brothers International (BBI), 470 Wayside Street S., Cornelia, GA for one tractor-drawn prototype applicator implement (Subsurfer) for applying dry fertilizers below the soil surface in no-till systems. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency's requirement. USDA, ARS, Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, Booneville AR require a new prototype subsurface applicators. This company has extensive experience in building custom-design applicator equipment, and an excellent reputation for high-quality products and innovation in constructing experimental prototype machinery. A licensing agreement between USDA-ARS and BBI is already in place to protect ARS' intellectual property rights to the subsurface application technology, and the inventors have held detailed discussions with company representatives concerning future construction of advanced prototypes. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact above not later than 3:00pm CST on September 23, 2013. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for 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. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. No RFQ will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent. Interested parties may submit any information for consideration by the Government to Michael Douglas, Contract Specialist at the email address listed above with the solicitation number referenced in the subject line.