Sole Source Procurement Notice

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) intends to award a sole source contract to J.L. Shepherd & Associates, San Fernando, CA for (1) 6,000 curies of C0-60, (2) transportation and installation of the Co-60 safely into the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)-Pink Bollworm Rearing Facility's (PBWRF) 484R-2 irradiator located in Phoenix, AZ and (3) calibrating the 484R-2 irradiator for optimum performance. The irradiator is used to irradiate pink bollworm moths to induce sexual sterility. The sterilized insects are then released as part of the International PBW Eradication Program. This purchase will constitute a reload of expended Co-60 which is reaching its half-life, thus reducing the irradiator's performance. As J.L. Shepherd is the original manufacturer and installer of the irradiator, and possesses all licenses and permits which enable it to obtain, transport and handle nuclear material, it is uniquely qualified to economically perform upgrades and maintenance on its irradiator existing within the facility. Accordingly, this procurement is being conducted in accordance FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). Contract is firm fixed price. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334517, and the size standard is 500. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitations documents are available and telephone requests will not be honored. However, if a firm believes it can meet the requirements it must furnish information about its products and services, as well as three (3) references from other customers who are using these products to the Contracting Officer by 3:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. Responses received after the response date or without the required information will be deemed nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. Capability statements may be sent to: Daniel M. Kline, Contracting Specialist, USDA-APHIS-MRPBS, ASD Procurement Branch, Butler Square Building, 5th Floor, 100 N. 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403, or via email @ daniel.m.kline@aphis.usda.gov or fax @ (612) 336-3550. Responses received will be evaluated however; a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, APHIS will proceed with the sole source procurement with J.L. Shepherd and Associates.