Ririe Outlet Channel Trash Rack Cleaning

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office in Burley, ID, intends to award a sole source purchase order to Progressive Irrigation District, 2585 N. Ammon Rd., Idaho Falls, ID for trash rack cleaning at four siphons under the Ririe Outlet Channel located near Ririe, in Bonneville County, Idaho. The Ririe Outlet Channel was constructed by the Corps of Engineers to convey flood waters from Ririe Reservoir to the Snake River. The outlet channel cuts through the middle of the Progressive Irrigation District and required the construction of four siphon crossings on the major canals/lateral in the district. The Corps of Engineers transferred the outlet channel and siphons to Reclamation in the late 1970's and through 1995, Reclamation used staff at Ririe Dam to clean the trash racks for the four siphons. In 1995, staff was reduced and Reclamation made the decision to contract out the trash rack cleaning. An evaluation of the districts in the outlet channel area indicated that only Progressive Irrigation District maintains a work force equipped to inspect and clean the trash racks. In addition, the district has staff in the area on a daily basis as they maintain a large canal and lateral distribution system which included trash racks of their own. One principle benefit of having Progressive Irrigation District complete the trash rack cleaning is the fact that the district is aware of current conditions, potential problems, and related issues without requiring an inspection of just the four trash racks.

The irrigation season is approximately 150 days long and at a minimum, the trash racks need to be inspected and cleaned at least daily. Also, depending on the time of the year and related weather, these tasks may be repeated several times per day. Specifically, during the early part of the irrigation season the siphons may take three of more trips per day including night visits.

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only a single source under the authority of FAR 6.001(a) using FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and there is no solicitation available. However, proposals received by January 16, 2009, will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Inquiries will be accepted by FAX at 208-678-4321 attention Gaye Mangum, SRA-2314, or by email to gmangum@pn.usbr.gov