Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source Contract to WMATA

NOTICE OF INTENT

The Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the Office of Facilities and Property Management, Facilities Services Division, intends to negotiate a firm, fixed price contract, on a sole source basis, with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, D.C., to purchase SmartBenefits mass transportation fare media products in support of the Federal Workforce Transportation Subsidy (FWTS) program.  Included with this Notice of Intent is the Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition.

Facilities Services Division (FSD) has a requirement to maintain and manage the Federal Workforce Transportation Subsidy program, where monthly subsidies are provided to qualified participants, as mandated by Executive Order 13150. Participants can currently receive up to $255 per month, based on their commuting cost.

NIST anticipates awarding a firm, fixed price purchase order to WMATA for this requirement.

NIST cites 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) (see excerpt below) as the primary rationale for the Sole Source Determination. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is the only contract provider of authorized fare media products for the payment to employees of NIST in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Department of Transportation (DOT) can provide the same fare media products through an interagency agreement, but at an increased cost to NIST.

The NAICS Code is 485111, and the standard size is $15 Million.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by May 12, 2017. Inquiries will only be accepted via e-mail to kandy.clark@nist.gov. No telephone requests will be honored.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition 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 in the future.