W024--Intent to Sole Soure Caterpillar Front Loader Rentals

NOTICE OF THE INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE TO RENT IT OF MAINE INC (UEI: EXGMJFK913K1) 1097 CENTER ST, AUBURN, ME, 04210 UNITED STATES. Response Due Date: November 15, 2023, by 10:00AM (EST) NOTICE OF THE INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE SYNOPSIS Network Contract Office 1, Procurement Office East on behalf of The Department of Veterans Affairs, Togus VA Medical Center located at 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330-6796 intends to award a firm-fixed contract with no options to RENT IT OF MAINE INC. to provide (2) Caterpillar Front Loader Rentals. The proposed procurement is for products for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System code (NAICS) for this requirement is 333120. All responsible sources that feel they should be considered qualified to provide the above-mentioned products may submit a response to this notice (by the response due date shown above) to contact@example.gov . The information provided shall include detailed (and relevant) documentation to allow the government to perform adequate market research and make a proper determination. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K) Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-23-AP-5622 Contracting Activity: Network Contracting Office 1, Regional Procurement Office East on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, Togus VA Medical Center, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330-6796. Funding 402-24-1-4808-0002. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: This is a new, sole source requirement. The Contracting Activity is requesting rental of (1) Caterpillar 930M Front Loader and (1) Caterpillar 926M Front Loader for Togus VA Medical Center. The Caterpillar front loader is a type of tractor that is normally wheeled and uses a wide square tilting bucket on the end of movable arms to lift and move material around. The loader assembly may be a removable attachment or permanently mounted on the vehicle. Often times, the bucket can be replaced with other devices or tools, such as forks or a hydraulically operated bucket. Estimated Amount __________. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The Caterpillar Front Loaders are needed for Togus VAMC specifically because of the attachments and accessories needed for snow removal. Togus VAMC already has the attachments for the loader they own which is a CAT and the accessories already owned can be used interchangeably with the rental CAT rental. If Togus VAMC rents any other brand they will need to rent additional accessories/attachments needed to move snow which would be costly. The coupler (fusion and ISO 23727) is the unique part that would allow Togus to only use a CAT with their attachments. A wheeled loader is needed to move snow during the winter months from November 2023 to April 2024. The loader will be used to push and move snow from parking lots at the Togus VAMC campus. Due to the need for a vendor within the remote geographical proximity of Togus VAMC, SB RENT IT OF MAINE INC. is the only eligible small business in the geographic area of Maine capable of fulfilling the need. A local vendor in the state of Maine is being requested during this rental in order for quick repairs and quick equipment replacement if the loader stops operating, having this option is crucial as it would be rather costly and time consuming to send the vehicle across multiple states for repairs, quick fixes, or repairs. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: Market research tools such as, VetBiz, GSA Advantage, SBA-DSBS, and other search engines have been utilized. The Contracting Activity conducted its first search on VetCert using NAICS 333120, which produced 143 results, none of which can provide caterpillar rentals. FPDS search using keyword caterpillar loader rental under contracting office 01 returned 4 contract actions, all previous acquisitions for rental of the same equipment to Togus VAMC. SBA DSBS search using keyword Caterpillar rental generated 1 profile, JR KOOP, INC. however they are local to the state of South Dakota and outside the parameters of Maine. GSA search using keyword Caterpillar yielded 6 schedule contractors, all located outside of the state of Maine. Last search was on VetBiz using NAICS 333120 along with keyword Caterpillar bore 2 organizations, none of which are locally located in Maine. Market Research findings show that SB RENT IT OF MAINE INC. is the only eligible small business in the geographic area of Maine capable of fulfilling the need. SB RENT IT OF MAINE INC has fulfilled this need for Togus VAMC previously under contracts 36C24122P0128, 36C24121P0030 and 36C24120P0109. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.