Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole Source Award

The USDA, ARS, WBSC, College Station, Texas intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) with National Cotton Council of America, 7193 Goodlett Farms Pkwy, Cordova, TN to jointly manage and maintain a cotton winter nursery for the propagation of the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and for the acceleration of public and private cotton improvement efforts. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency's requirement.

USDA, ARS, CSRL, Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research, Lubbock TX and the National Cotton Council of America currently have an agreement to jointly manage and maintain a cotton winter nursery in Tecoman, Mexico for the propagation of the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and for the acceleration of public and private cotton improvement efforts. Seed of accessions from the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and from public and private research efforts will be sent to the nursery for seed increase and generational advancement. Materials increased or created by crossing will be ginned at the nursery, fumigated, and shipped to users through the assistance of the ARS. The cooperating parties of this agreement will together provide the personnel, expertise, supplies, and equipment necessary to support the operation of the nursery and the services it provides.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact above not later than 11:00am CST on December 23, 2013. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. No RFQ will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent. Interested parties may submit any information for consideration by the Government to Michael Douglas, Contract Specialist at the email address listed above with the solicitation number referenced in the subject line.