Justification and Approval to Award Sole Source Contract to Amtrak

This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The statutory authority for this sole-source procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as prescribed by FAR 6.302-1.

The Mission & Installation Contracting Command Mission Contracting Office - Fort Sam Houston, intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) contract, with reimbursable contract line items for maintenance parts and unscheduled maintenance, to Amtrak for train, yard and engine (TY&E) services and maintenance in support of the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) Rail Operations. This contract will provide services to transport Soldiers by rail between Fort Lee Virginia, near Petersburg, and Fort AP Hill near Milford Virginia.

The Department of Rail and Public Transportation, State of Virginia has passed legislation which requires the US Army to enter into a service agreement with Amtrak in order to receive grant funds that are necessary for the development of rail access in Caroline County, Virginia. Amtrak is the only company that currently possesses the liability insurance required for these services, capped at $200 million by federal statute, and the ability to fully indemnify the serving railroad. Furthermore, except in an emergency, intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation provided by or for Amtrak has preference over freight transportation in using a rail line. Finally, Amtrak is the only passenger rail company that possesses crews that have been trained in the portion of track where these services will be performed. Once finalized, a copy of the approved Justification and Approval document will be posted on FedBizOpps as a "Justification and Approval" notice.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government shall consider all responses received by Friday, 16 December 2011 at 3:00 p.m. CST. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirement. MICC MCO - Fort Sam Houston will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. Please email Luis O. Trinidad with responses or questions regarding this requirement at luis.o.trinidad.civ@mail.mil. This notice will close on 16 December 2011, 3:00 PM CST.