Assateague Island National Seashore Water Analysis

This announcement acts as notice of the National Park Services' (NPS) intent to enter into a sole source purchase order with the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science for certain water analysis services. Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS) intends to enter into a base year contract, along with two following option years, for services necessary to analyze monthly water samples from 18 permanent monitoring stations within ASIS. Horn Point Laboratory within the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is the most efficient, certified laboratory for the analytical evaluation of estuarine water quality samples in the immediate area of ASIS. Other qualified laboratories are further away, thus drastically increasing the chances of sample contamination during transportation. Furthermore, ASIS has used has utilized UMCES services from the inception of water testing program in 1987, thus maintaining a continuity of methodology paramount for the results of the study and its partners (eg. USGS, EPA, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, and the University of Maryland). For the aforementioned reasons, ASIS intends to enter into a sole source contract with UMCES for the water analysis services for fiscal year 2012, and for two additional option years, without full and open competition. Vendors having questions regarding this procurement, or disputing the conclusions specified herein, should contact Jason Pratt, Contract Specialist- Central MABO NPS, at 215-597-647. INQUIRIES MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO MAY 23, 2012 BEFORE 2 PM. Any requests for copies of solicitations will not be addressed since this is a notice of intent to enter into a sole source procurement, not a request for quote.