SOLE SOURCE/HOMELESS CONTRACTS

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan, intends to award sole source contracts for homeless shelter services to three specific organizations: Advent Ministries in Lansing for basic life skills and employment readiness training; Volunteers of America, also in Lansing, to provide shelter beds, meals, and comprehensive supportive services; and Residential Services of Southwest Michigan in Niles for case management, shelter, meals, employment-related services, and referrals for alcohol or substance abuse treatment for homeless veterans. The VA believes that only these entities can meet the agency's specific requirements and plans to negotiate contracts under FAR 6.302 without initially opening the procurement to competition. Interested parties can express their interest and demonstrate their ability to fulfill the contract requirements by October 31, 2003, solely to assist the VA in deciding whether to proceed with competitive procurement. No formal solicitation will be issued, and all responses and inquiries must be submitted in writing by the deadline; late or telephone inquiries will not be considered. The decision to exclude competition based on the responses received remains entirely at the Government's discretion. The contract is managed by the 250-NETWORK Contract Office 10 at the Department of Veterans Affairs, located in Dayton, Ohio.