Facilities Operation and Maintenance Support Services Extension

Pursuant to FAR 16.505 (b)(2)(i)(C), the USDA, ARS intends to negotiate with Celta Services Inc. on a sole source basis, for a six (6) month Firm Fixed Price contract extension of services, with a small IDIQ component for facilities operations, maintenance and administrative support services at Southern Regional Research Center in the Mid South Area with Celta Services (CS). The contractor is required to provide work such as, but not limited to, work management, building alteration and repair maintenance, shop services, grounds maintenance, automotive and farm vehicle maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, housekeeping, safety, building security services, walking patrol service and administrative support services effective December 1, 2012. This site is under a modernization effort and the contractor is required to interface with other Contractors onsite. The SRRC mission is to develop through basic applied and developmental research, new knowledge and technology that will ensure an abundance of high quality agricultural commodities. The research is conducted on agricultural commodities to improve food safety, emerging and exotic foods borne allergies of people, improve research on the production of peanuts, rice, cotton and enhanced tolerance or resistance to environmental stresses that are valuable to the U.S. and world economy. This research involves the reliance and cooperation of the local community, universities, industry, other countries and state agencies. The contractor is responsible for maintaining the facility in full support of the research mission. The government is in the process of evaluating offers for a follow-on contract that will contain a base period with four one year option periods. To that end, it is vital to the research mission of the SRRC that the incumbent continue to provide O&M support. This six (6) month bridge contract is necessary to allow for sufficient time to complete the recompetition procedures for the follow on contract, which has been delayed due to agency reorganization. Now that the reorganization is complete, this extension will allow completion of the evaluation process. No other offeror could immediately perform all of the required services within the necessary timeframe and a period of performance of six (6) months is a sufficient timeframe in which to transition a new contractor. Therefore, Celta is uniquely qualified as the incumbent contractor to provide continuity of services to ARS. No solicitation will be issued. Responses are to be received within 10 days of this notice. No telephone calls are being accepted. Questions can be emailed [email protected]. NAICS Code/Size is 561210. Point of Contact(s): Alvenia (Kris) Pitts, Contract Specialist, Fax 301-504-0022, Email [email protected] - Contracting Office Address: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Capitol Region Business Service Center (NCRBSC) - Acquisition Branch, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 2, Mailstop: 5152, Beltsville, MD, 20705. Place of Contract Performance: Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, LA 70124