The U.S. Department of State intends to negotiate a sole-source purchase order with the American Red Cross (ARC) National Headquarters in Washington, DC for office furniture. This is a one time purchase as DOS is planning to acquire 239,000 sq ft of fully furnished office space from the American Red Cross. The furniture is only a couple years old and in good usable condition. By purchasing this furniture from the American Red Cross as DOS signs the building lease, the Department is estimating a savings of over $4 million dollars in product as well as delivery and installation service costs (not including the Government administrative costs of procuring new furniture). These estimated savings are substantial when compared to having to re-furnish the building and having American Red Cross remove all furniture from the premises which may or may not fit in their new location which will cause an unneeded delay in DOS taking occupancy. This is a SOLE SOURCE procurement under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and Other Than Full and Open Competition (FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)) and (FAR 13.501). The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1). The regulatory authority is FAR 6.302-1 (a) (2) (ii) (A) (B), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. There will be substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition; and Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements would occur if we do not proceed under this authority. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES, ARC is to sign a lease by end of June, with the understanding that DOS will take the space “as-is”, including the furniture in place as described above. The purchase of the furniture cannot be included in the lease because of the separation between real property and furnishings. No vendor can provide furniture equal to the existing without having to design, produce and install the product to provide 974 offices/work stations for less than the asking price of $2,000,000.00. Responses received will be evaluated, however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion for the Government. The Government intends to proceed with the sole source as DOS intends to occupy this new building and accept existing furniture already in place. Responses are due 15 June 2009 12:00pm Eastern Time. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to
[email protected] or via phone at 202-647-2106.