Sol_140P8326Q0025.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

CONTRACTING OPERATIONS - WEST

1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT

Notice of intent to issue a sole source contract award with a non-competitive one-year purchase order to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for operational and emergency maintenance on Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) State Route 123 and Highway 410, (Mather Memorial Parkway). In accordance with FAR Parts 5.2 and 6.302-1 this notice advertises the government's intent to negotiate and award a sole source contract for annual operational and emergency maintenance. The National Park Service (NPS), Mount Rainier National Park intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract for this annual maintenance.

Washington State Department of Transportation services several highway locations with the National Park Service statewide. State Route 123 is a 14-mile segment and Highway 410 is a 7-mile segment, both owned by and located within the boundary of Mount Rainier National Park.

MORA has identified WSDOT as the sole practicable source for completion of operational and emergency maintenance on this portion of State Route 123 and Highway 410. NPS is not able to complete all of the work that is required to maintain this stretch of road, and relies on the WSDOT to provide all of the following tasks on the identified areas: snow removal for spring opening repair pavement cracks and holes, restriping, ditch cleaning, sign repair or replacement, vegetation control, litter pickup, snow removal, sanding, and tasks associated with bridges, guardrails, and related structures, slide removal, repair of erosion damage, unplanned road closures, and removal of fallen trees.

WASHINGTON ST DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PO Box 47420 Olympia, Washington 98504-7420, United States

The Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition is posted below. Comments and questions regarding this sole source procurement may be directed to Mickey Chisolm, Contracting Officer, at Mickey_Chisolm@nps.gov. Include your business name, qualifications, and point of contact.

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS

Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use:

MORA is requesting award of a non-competitive one-year purchase order to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for operational and emergency maintenance on MORA State Route 123 and Highway 410, (Mather Memorial Parkway). State Route 123 is a 14-mile segment and Highway 410 is a 7-mile segment, both owned by and located within the boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. MORA has identified WSDOT as the sole practicable source for completion of operational and emergency maintenance on this portion of State Route 123 and Highway 410. NPS is not able to complete all of the work that is required to maintain this stretch of road, and relies on the WSDOT to provide all of the following tasks on the identified areas: snow removal for spring opening repair pavement cracks and holes, restriping, ditch cleaning, sign repair or replacement, vegetation control, litter pickup, snow removal, sanding, and tasks associated with bridges, guardrails, and related structures, slide removal, repair of erosion damage, unplanned road closures, and removal of fallen trees.

This work was originally awarded as a cooperative agreement between Olympic National Park (OLYM) and WSDOT. An AMR was conducted at OLYM during FY08. The AMR reported a finding that the cooperative agreement should have been awarded as a contract. The same finding for OLYM is applicable to MORA because the same type of cooperative agreement was awarded by MORA to WSDOT in the past. This JOTFOC is requesting award of a contract to replace the cooperative agreement, for the same type of work that was performed by the cooperative agreement.

Sole Source Justification rationale:

In accordance with FAR 6.302(b), MORA concluded that minimum needs can only be met by the WSDOT. No other entity (private or public) could perform the work requested for the annual amount paid. Equivalent work performed under a competitive construction contract has been estimated to be between $350,000 to $600,000 for a one-year period. WSDOT has the capability to respond on an on-call basis for mobilization due to the nature of their operation and location of their facilities.

The WSDOT is geared to rapid mobilization and equipment is located at a non-NPS location within a few miles of the NPS-owned sections of State Route 123 and Highway 410 where no other entity would have access for staging. The WSDOT is providing a great service to the NPS for well below market value per year. As the performer of maintenance on 14 miles of State Route 123 and 7 miles of Highway 410 for the State of Washington and a mission “to keep people and business moving by operating and improving the state’s transportation systems vital to our taxpayers and communities”, WSDOT has a vested interest in the maintenance of both MORA routes, as well as the existing facilities, staff, and expertise to perform that maintenance.

Additionally, WSDOT is always the first on scene during snowfall and storm events because it is their job to ensure public safety and maintain the route of travel on State Route 123 and Highway

410. It is the responsibility of MORA to provide the public the best available means for safe passage through Mount Rainier National Park. It would not be practicable for any other entity to provide the level of service that WSDOT can provide. It is considered in the Government’s best interest to continue having WSDOT provide these services.

Market Research:

WSDOT will perform a certain level of maintenance on MORA boundary areas of State Route 123 and Highway 410 regardless of whether or not the park provides funding; because it is a state highway and must remain open for the good of the public. Based on comparing the estimated cost to the Government for similar services including road striping and asphalt patching contracted in the past; this is considered very cost effective. Public notices in the past three years on System for Award Management for this contract have resulted in no response from any public or private entity. A special notice to include this justification will be publicized on the System for Award Management website for a period of 10 calendar days prior to issuance of the purchase order.