Intent to Award Sole Source Surface Water Analysis

THIS IS A NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE AWARD. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The U.S. Geological Survey intends to award a non-competitive firm fixed-price purchase order under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) to University of Maryland Center for the Environmental Science¿s Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (UMCES-CBL) located in Solomons, Maryland for the analysis of surface water samples for the MD/DE/DC Water Science Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The period of performance is date of award to 12/31/2024 with 4 option years.

The UMCES-CBL has analyzed Chlorophyll samples for the USGS MD-RIM program for over 12 years. Due to the analysis history, UMCES-CBL is the only option for a continuity of data, as changing laboratories adds uncertainty and error to long-term datasets and their subsequent analysis. If the award is made to another source, this would introduce an unnecessary source of error in the Chlorophyl dataset, USGS would be unable to do a robust analysis of the replicated nutrient samples because of a change in laboratory and would lose the power we currently have in doing a side-by-side comparison of samples with the NWQL. Changing laboratories at this point would prevent us from adequately quality assuring our data from the NWQL. No other laboratory can provide the data continuity required

The NAICS code is 541380. The size standard is $19 Million.

Responses may be emailed to Jenna Dunning at jmdunning@usgs.gov no later than 3:30 PM ET, Friday, August 30.

The anticipated award date of the contract is 08/23/2024. A vendor must be registered at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ to be awarded the contract.

This is a sole source notice published for informational purposes only and not a request for competitive quotes. Therefore, no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, in accordance with FAR 5.207, all responsible parties interested in responding to this notice are invited to submit a capability statement via email by the time and date specified in this notice that provides sufficient details for consideration by the Government.

The determination not to compete the contract based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Phone calls will not be accepted in response to this notice. All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to provide the items required and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses must be in writing and must provide clear and concise documentation indicating an offeror's bona fide capability to provide these supplies/services. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered.