--Research on the information role of spot prices to investing & trading behavior

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intends to award a sole source contract to the Southern Methodist University to perform research on the information role of spot prices to investing and trading behavior in the oil market and commodity market. The research objective consists of two parts: (1) to set forth a rational theory of spot market prices that illuminates the factors pertinent to the revelation of information, and (2) to compare the implications of this theoretical analysis with empirical patterns of futures trading. The latter effort will involve gathering relevant data from a cross section of commodity markets (energy, metals, and agricultural commodities all included) to see if the absence, existence, and/or operation of associated futures markets are in any way related to the underlying informational factors identified by the theory. The proposed contract with the Southern Methodist University will be for twelve months. The DOE is using exemption to competit ion 6.302-1(a) (2) (ii), One Responsible source. This is a notice of intent and not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation is available for this requirement. If a firm believes the DOE should not pursue this sole source contract with the Southern Methodist University, then they should submit a capability statement and pricing information for the requirement by July 27, 2012 at 12:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) via email to contact@example.gov. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.