Columbia River Treaty Program Facilitation, Program and Project

Added: Feb 16, 2017 12:26 pm Notice of Intent to Sole Source
Columbia River Treaty Program Facilitation, Program and Project Management Assistance

Solicitation Number: W9127N-17-R-0050
Agency: Department of the Army
Office: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Location: USACE District, Portland
Classification Code: R422 - Market Research and Public Opinion Services
NAICS Code: 541613 - Marketing Consulting Services

Solicitation Number:
W9127N-17-R-0050

Notice Type:
Special Notice

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District (NWP) intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract with Integrated Water Solutions, LLC.

The purpose of this requirement is to furnish facilitation, program and project management assistance to the Columbia River Treaty Program. The Columbia River Treaty is an agreement between Canada and the United States on the development and operation of dams in the upper Columbia River basin for power and flood control benefits in both countries. When the Treaty was implemented in 1964 the U.S. purchased 60 years of assured flood control storage in Canada that gives the U.S. rights to Canadian reservoirs for storage until September 2024. When the storage agreement ends, the U.S. would have to call on Canada to change its reservoir operations in order to provide additional storage space to manage downstream flooding in the U.S.

The U.S. State Department finalized Circular 175 in October 2016, outlining and authorizing talks with Canada to modernize the Treaty. As a result, joint modeling studies between the U.S. and Canadian Entities are currently taking place to analyze proposed post-2024 changes in Canadian and U.S. operations. The goal of these studies is to maintain a similar level of flood risk given the range of potential changes in operation and governance of the Treaty and Columbia River Basin.

The Contractor, Integrated Water Solutions, LLC (IWS), is a Women-Owned Emerging Small Business that has been involved with the Treaty Process since 2009. IWS has played a significant role in the past assisting the Northwestern Division and Districts with developing and managing the Treaty program, while utilizing their experience in water management, understanding of USACE policy and standards, and skilled facilitation. IWS has the consistency, experience and knowledge of the Treaty program to be able to successfully perform these services immediately. This procurement requires the contractor to have the ability to articulate and provide, without delay, the history of decisions or data developed by the program since 2009 to newer management and technical team members. The experience and knowledge IWS has gained over the course of their involvement with the Treaty makes them uniquely and highly qualified to perform on this USACE Treaty requirement.

The statutory authority for this non-competitive acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(g) and 2305 as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for purchases exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold under FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(2), the services are available from only one source.

A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE POSTED.
The Government intends to proceed with this sole source action. The NAICS code is 541613 - Marketing Consulting Services. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is $15 million.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS OR QUOTATIONS.
All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal or quote to the contracting officer before the notice end date. If no affirmative written responses are received by 2:00 PM PST on 03 March 2017, an award will be made without further notice. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. Electronic responses and questions shall be submitted via email to sue.jones@usace.army.mil. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

Contracting Office Address:
US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
ATTN: CECT-NWP-S
333 SW 1st Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Point of Contact:
Sue Jones, 503-808-4632

Point of Contact for small business questions or assistance is the Portland District Small Business Specialist
Carol McIntyre
Direct: 503-808-4602
Email: carol.a.mcintyre@usace.army.mil