56--SPECIAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - TRI-STATE BRICK AND TILE, JACKSON, MS.

ERDC Contracting Office intends to solicit on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106(b) to TRI-STATE BRICK AND TILE, 2050 Forest Avenue, Jackson, MS 39213-8134. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Tri-State Brick and Tile is the only known source capable of meeting the Government's requirements. The ERDC has need for the acquisition of 200 tons of non-expansive Hinds County clay mixture for an upcoming experimental series in FY 13. Tri-State is the only company mining this material, and their mine site is proprietary. 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 not later than 4:00 CST on 23February 2013. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely of 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 RFP will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent. Interested parties may submit any information for consideration by the Government to Ellaine.R.James @usace.army.mil with solicitation number referenced in the subject line. Statement of Work TriState Brick and Tile / Non-Expansive Hinds County Clay Mixture Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory The Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) requires the purchase of a non-expansive clay test material to be used for experimentation in conjunction with Deployable Force Protection, Retrofits to Existing Structures program. In March through July 2012, GSL conducted extensive experimentation using TriState's proprietary clay mixture mined from one location in Hinds County, MS. The primary component of this experimental work testing weapons effects against earthen structures. The TriState test material obtained from the Hinds County site was used in all experiments. Additional experimental requirements have been defined by the DFP program. These requirements include further structural testing. To ensure compatibility with the large set of baseline data gathered in the initial experimental work, additional experiments must be conducted using the same earth materaial. The required base purchase of Hinds County test material is 200 tons. Material must be delivered to The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Bldg 5016 in Vicksburg, MS. Prior to delivery, the POC's listed below will coordinate with the contractor on delivery timelines. Exact delivery date of the base purchase will be coordinated with the primary POC's, but must be not later than June 30, 2012. The requested period of performance is through September 30, 2013.