99--SIX-MONTH EXTENSION OF FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP), on a sole source basis to LB&B Associates, Inc, for an extension to the period of performance not to exceed six (6) months to the existing Facilities Operations and Maintenance Services Contract NAS5-00046 at GSFC located in Greenbelt, Maryland. The period of performance extension is to commence on December 1, 2004. Under the current contract, LB&B Associates (LB&B) provides the following facilities operations and maintenance services: the planning and directing of the Center's overall facilities and maintenance program to provide a physical plant congruent with the needs of its research, development, and operational programs, overall operation and maintenance of all buildings and structures and the equipment contained therein that supports the Center's infrastructure, including mission critical assets, along with engineering planning services, and construction quality control services. A break in critical services presenting performed by LB&B could seriously jeopardize GSFC property and missions. LB&B possesses the cumulative knowledge and work experience that will enable the GSFC mission to continue without a break in service on the current contract. Having to award a new contract and phase-in a new contractor for a short period of time until the follow-on contract is competed and awarded would be extremely disruptive to the Center's facilities management operations, and could severely impact critical mission operations in Buildings 3/13/14/32. A new contractor's failure to respond quickly and effectively due to an emergency situation could be disastrous to GSFC's mission critical assets. The existing technical and professional workforce of LB&B is uniquely qualified to maintain uninterrupted service to the Center because of their knowledge of mission critical systems, plant operations, and the overall layout of the buildings and equipment on Center. NASA deems other contractors unable to master the learning curve necessary to meet the Government's minimum requirement prior to the expiration of the current contract. Attaining the necessary expertise by other contractors would require unacceptable delays. This procurement is authorized under (FAR) 6.302-1, 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) only one responsible source. However, any interested sources may contact Carolyn Schmidt, Contract Specialist, in writing at the address referenced above. All written responses are due by the date referenced under General Information/Response Date, or 15 days from the publication date of this synopsis, whichever is latest. Written responses may be E-mailed or faxed. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http:/genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote/html . Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact and their qualifications/capabilities. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose 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.