R--DEVELOPMENT OF EVALUATION CRITERIA TO BE USED TO EVALUATE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans to engage the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) on a sole source basis to develop and recommend rating criteria for evaluating grant applications under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for fiscal year 2003. The Contracting Officer has determined that IAFC is uniquely qualified due to its staffing, experience, organizational structure, and proprietary network of subject matter experts, enabling timely and budget-compliant completion of the tasks. This procurement will proceed without competitive solicitation in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). No solicitation document is being issued, and this announcement serves as a notice of intent rather than a request for proposals or quotations. However, interested parties may express their interest and capabilities in writing within ten days from the date of the announcement. The contract is identified under the solicitation number W358160Y and was posted on August 19, 2002. The primary objective is focused on establishing evaluation criteria essential for the grant review process in support of firefighter assistance initiatives during the specified fiscal year.