Notice of Intent to Negotiate Solely with the Advertising Council

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to negotiate solely with the Advertising Council, Inc. located at 815 2nd Ave, Floor 9, New York, NY  10017-4503, for a nine (9) month contract to continue the use of FSIS’s current advertisements and partnerships created under Contract AG3A94-C-10-0014.  The negotiation is for a nine (9) month contract to get full use of the advertisements and partnerships that have been already established/created for FSIS’s current campaign.  It is anticipated that a new Public Service Advertisement (PSA) Contract for new advertisements will be required in the near future.  The Advertising Council, Inc. is the only source which can provide the required service in accordance with our requirements for this nine (9) month contract.  This procurement will be conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) and that only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.   Authority 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1).  It is anticipated that this contract will be for the period of March 2016 – December 2016.  This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation.  Request for copies of this solicitation will not be honored or acknowledged.  The Government does not intend to pay for information received.  All interested parties must respond within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this notice. Written responses must provide clear and concise documentation indicating your firm’s capability to provide the services described above.  Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered.  When responding to this announcement, respondents should refer to Announcement AG-3A94-S-16-0003.  If after February 27, 2016, no viable responses have been received in response to this announcement, USDA/FSIS shall negotiate solely with the Advertising Council, Inc.  The Government anticipates award by March 31, 2016.