X--INTENT TO AWARD

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract under statutory authority 10 USC 2304(c) (1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The applicable NAICS code is 531120 and the size standard is 7.0 M. This is not a request for quotation or a solicitation for offers. No solicitation package will be available. The Mission and Instillation Contracting Command Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall, VA intends to make a sole source award to Colonial Life Arena located at 801 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29208, United States; to support The U.S. Army Spirit of America (SOA) show provides the U.S. Army with the opportunity to tell its story and the history of the nation through historical reenactments, musical entertainment and precision military drill. Spirit of America is one of the U.S. Army's largest community outreach events. The 2012 SOA musical performance will bring more than 325 active duty Soldiers and Staff from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington to the city of Columbia, SC in September 2012. A facility is required that will provide essential lodging needs in the support of the production for SOA 2012, as Soldiers/support staff elements are temporarily relocated from their home station to execute this special mission. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) Soliciting from a single source authorized by FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b) (1). For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent to award is not a request for competitive proposals. However all proposals received by the appointed due date will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposal based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The justification for the sole source requirements as follows: The rationale for citing this authority is based on the fact that the Government's minimum needs can only be satisfied by the facilities and services available at the Colonial Life Arena All possible venues within 50 miles of Colonial Life Arena have been researched and none except the Colonial Life Arena meets the Government's minimum requirements. The following are the minimum requirements concerning the location to accomplish the Spirit of America's objectives. A) The facility must be located within 50 miles (no more than a one hour drive) of Columbia, SC. This is necessary to draw from the population center of the Columbia metropolitan area, which has a large, enough audience to meet the program goal of filling the arena to at least 85% of capacity. Focusing on a large urban area such as Columbia also enables the Army to effectively execute the Department of the Army's Strategic Communications Program. The proximity to other major urban areas and the associated media outlets in those cities also increases public awareness of the production and enhances the mission of SOA which is to tell the Army story to the public. B). Indoor, air-conditioned facility. (C) Usable seating capacity of 6,500 seats after stage and back drop area are erected. (D) Facilities to handle live animals (horses). (E). Arena-style seating, i.e. seats arranged in a large bowl configuration with the performance area in the center of the bowl. This is the only configuration by which a performance of the size and scope of SOA can be viewed. (F) Sufficient power and pre-wiring required for video and lighting support. (G). Must be available 17-22 September 2012.(H) Dressing rooms, support facilities and staging area for 300+ performers. Responses to this notice must be received only via email by 10 Sep 2012, no later than 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.