R -- DEVELOPMENT OF EVALUATION CRITERIA TO BE USED TO EVALUATE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004

The Department of Homeland Security's Emergency Preparedness and Response division intends to award a sole source contract to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) to develop rating criteria for evaluating grant applications under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for fiscal year 2004. The IAFC is uniquely qualified for this contract due to its specialized staffing, organizational capacity, and proprietary network of subject matter experts, which are necessary to complete the tasks within a strict timeline and budget. The contracting officer has determined that no other known source possesses the required capabilities, thereby justifying the sole source procurement under federal acquisition regulations. This contract opportunity was announced without a solicitation, meaning it is not open for competitive bidding, although other parties may express interest and demonstrate their capabilities within ten days of the notice. The primary objective is to establish evaluation criteria that will guide the grant application review process, ensuring a structured and effective grant distribution. The contract will be managed through the Department of Homeland Security's Preparedness office, headquartered in Washington, DC.