R -- ENGINEERING SERVICES

R - Engineering Services - The U.S. Dept. of Commerce/NOAA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Public Telecommunications Facilities Expert Brian Gibbon using the simplified acquisition procedures for consulting services as follows: The Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) is authorized by P.L.97-35, The Public Broadcasting Amendments Act of 1981 as amended by the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. 99-272, Section 5001, 100 Stat. 82. 117 1986) to provide grants for the planning and construction of public telecommunication facilities. Each year, one competition is held for an award of grants. The PTFP annually issues approximately 120 new awards. Each award for assistance under the Program must comply with the requirements published in the PTFP Final Rules, 15 CFR ''2301.19-22. At the completion of a project, the grant recipient must submit documents in accordance with 15 CFR ''2301.23-25. The PTFP consultant shall use the Program's Rules and Regulations to determine whether the grant recipients have met specific program requirements. The PTFP consultant shall use the criteria of the Program's Rules and Regulations (CFR 2301.7 and 2301.17) to determine whether the grant applicants have met specific program priorities set forth by the Rules: o Met specific program priorities set forth by the Rules; o Assessed specific needs of the communities to be served; o Proposed a project which shall assure an increase in public telecommunications services and facilities available to, operated by and owned or controlled by minorities and women; and o Met all other criteria of the Program. The Contractor shall be available on an intermittent basis for eight hours per day. The Contractor shall provide written comments and other pertinent assessments of the applications. The Contractor's recommendations shall be used by the program's administrators partially to determine awards that shall be issued in September. The Contractor shall also negotiate with potential applicants to develop approved budgets on final documentation necessary for award. Period of Performance: February 7, 2006 through September 30, 2006 This requirement is being advertised under Other Than Full and Open Competition by the authority of the FAR Subpart 6.302-1, citing U.S.C. 2304(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253 - 91), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services shall satisfy the agency requirements. The National Industry Classification systems (NAICS) code is 541330, and the size standard is $4.0M. No Solicitation shall be issued. However, the Offeror's who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the above requirements. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bonafide capability to meet the requirements. Failure to submit such documentation shall result in the Government proceeding as stated above. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 10 days after publication of this synopsis. Proposal submissions must be submitted to the following contact person in acquisitions: Jean Barrett, Jean.Barrett@noaa.gov, Tel: 1-301-713-0838 ext. 133. If e-mail is unavailable, materials may be faxed to 1-301-713-0809. Reference No. DG1335-06-RQ-0205(GJB). See note 22.