INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE- DRC

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Purchasing Branch is issuing a sole source procurement (Solicitation Number 5400023637) for TABE Education Testing materials and services, specifically targeting Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) as the sole vendor. The procurement encompasses comprehensive educational testing resources, including test booklets, answer booklets, online access, instructional materials in hard copy and digital formats, and testing materials across multiple levels. The solicitation was originally advertised in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) and distributed to multiple vendors, but DRC was the only respondent. Sealed offers must be submitted to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch located at 4530 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210, either by physical mail or email to purchasing@doc.sc.gov, with "SOLE SOURCE" specified in the email subject line. The response deadline is July 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., and vendors must be authorized to perform and supply all required services. Offerors are required to hold their offers open for a minimum of thirty calendar days after the opening date, and no pre-bid conference or site visit is scheduled.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. The procurement appears to be an unrestricted competitive solicitation, with DRC being the presumptive awardee due to being the sole respondent. While specific contract value ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the educational testing materials suggests a potentially significant procurement value. Vendors who wish to challenge the sole source award may submit a notice of intent to protest within five business days of the notice posting and file the actual protest within fifteen days, addressed to the Chief Procurement Officer at the Materials Management Office. The contract award becomes effective after the opening date and time if no additional responses are received. All three pages of the Intent to Award Sole Source form must be submitted with complete information and documentation demonstrating authorization to perform the required services.