R--Sole Source Award for Sample Collection at NADP PA18

The U.S. Geological Survey has issued a sole source award under FAR 13.1 for the collection and processing of precipitation samples at the NADP/NTN station in Renova, Pennsylvania, with Brian Baker serving as the primary contracting officer based in Reston, Virginia. The contract is awarded to Mr. Kevin Horner, the only individual qualified to perform the work due to his exclusive access to private land where the sampling site is located, his longstanding relationship with Pennsylvania State University, and his continuous involvement in the monitoring program. Annual performance requires 52 weekly site visits for sample collection, equipment maintenance, data transmission, and operational checks, all aligned with National Atmospheric Deposition Program protocols. No competitive bidding process was conducted, and no evaluation factors, weights, or price data are included, as the procurement relies entirely on the unique, non-replaceable qualifications of the sole source. The place of performance is restricted to Renova, Pennsylvania, with authorized access to associated laboratory facilities, while no packaging, labeling, preservation, or delivery terms are specified beyond the general requirement to maintain sample integrity. The contracting office, part of the Department of the Interior, has not identified a Contracting Officer’s Representative, payment office details, accounting codes, or invoicing procedures, and no formal attachments, certifications, or representations from the offeror are provided in the publicly available documentation. Submission of any alternative offers was open until May 8, 2026, but only via email to the contracting officer, with no formal proposal format or page limits required under the simplified acquisition procedures governing this sole source award.