Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole Source Contract

The National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in Fort Collins, CO intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) for a service and maintenance agreement for the facility's automatic temperature controls and Metasys Network System. 

The planned contract will be for a one year period, with the option for four one-year extensions.  The base year period of performance will be from Oct. 1, 2015 thru Sept. 30, 2016.  Each optional one-year extension would start on Oct. 1st of that year and run through Sept. 30th of the following year. 

JCI's proprietary monitoring Metasys Network System has been in operation within the NCGRP facility since 1992.  This system currently monitors the automatic temperature controls (all heating, cooling, and air controls) for all offices, laboratories, and environmental rooms.  This system also sends air alarms and pages emergency staff when conditions reach certain levels or failures are detected, which ensures the protection of the vital data held in care at the NCGRP. 

As this system is proprietary, JCI is the only vendor able to provide the annual service agreement.  Under the service agreement, JCI provides monthly services calls and any maintenance needed to ensure the system is operating efficiently.  Also, the service agreement calls for all available software upgrades to be installed, which guarantees that the system is always as up to date as possible. 

This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotations or proposals.  No solicitation is available.  Firms that believe they can provide equal or superior services are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Officer within 10 days of publication of this notice.  All information received within 10 days of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government to determine if more than one firm can meet the Government's requirements and is capable of providing equal or superior services.  All responses must be in writing and should be emailed to molly.jackson@ars.usda.gov.  Questions concerning this acquisition must be directed to Molly Jackson at the above contact information.