R--Notice of intent to award a sole source contract

NNOTICE OF INTENT FOR A SOLE SOURCE AWARD. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The Bureau of Indian Affairs intends to enter into a sole source firm fixed price contract with Stetson Engineers Inc. Purpose of contract is to make technical and expert services available for phased technical work required to prove up federal reserved water rights claims and challenge competing claims in the Gila River Adjudication (San Pedro River and Aravaipa Creek) on behalf of the San Carlos Apache Public Domain Allotments. Specifically, collect additional soils and economic data for PIA determination; refine engineering designs and costs for conceptual irrigation systems; prepare draft amended water rights claims. Expert Technical Assistance for Feasibility-Level Determination Report to Support an Amended Claim to Water Requirements for San Carlos Apache Public Domain Allotments on the San Pedro River. Period of performance will be for one year. Stetson Engineers Inc., has been retained by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs as an expert in the Gila River Adjudication for the past 20 years to provide expert technical work and accompanying expert witness services for federal water rights claims filed by the U.S. for the benefit of several tribes, including the San Carlos Apache Tribe. In 2021, Stetson Engineers completed an appraisal-level study of the water rights requirements for the San Carlos Apache Public Domain Allotments on the San Pedro River and Aravaipa Creek. This contract will provide for a more in-depth analysis and determination (feasibility-level) of the water requirements needed for the San Carlos Apache PDAs which is necessary as the Gila River adjudication court activities proceed and potentially impact the PDAs. These activities are necessary to follow up and provide continued expert technical assistance in order for the United States to comply with Adjudication Court Special Masters case management orders similar to that of January 11, 2022 which set certain details and requirements for a contested case. If the United States fail to meet the deadlines it risks failing to protect the trust resources of the San Carlos Apache Public Domain Allotments. Solicitation is not available and technical questions will not be answered. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541990. If a firm believes this agency should not proceed with proposed contract, please submit a capability statement and pricing information by 4:00 p.m. ET on 7/12/2022 to [email protected]. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $100,000.00.