--Intent to Award a Sole Source - eRulemaking

Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Task Order Posted Date: January 17, 2014 Procurement Office: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters Procurement Operations Division (3803R) Response Date: February 4, 2014 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to award a one year sole source gap Task Order to Booz Allen Hamilton in support of the operation and maintenance for Regulations.gov, the Federal Docket Management System and FOIA-online. The purpose of this task order is to obtain IT infrastructure, web/application development, operations, maintenance, enhancement, project management, training, security and support services for this Federal system and the user communities. The services are unique and would take time for a new awardee to acquire the necessary knowledge. EPA plans on issuing a one-year, sole-source task order be awarded to the current vendor, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., so that during this time, the new process for choosing a long-term contract type will proceed. An award to a source other than Booz Allen Hamilton at this time would result in an unacceptable break in service. The incumbent contractor has the infrastructure, resources, expertise and security clearances in place to continue to provide support without the risk of an unacceptable break in service. It is imperative to the EPA that the time is taken along with the other Federal user agencies involved, to develop a strong, long-term contract that ensures the needs of the government are met and that there is ultimately a fair, open competition for the long term contract. This justification is in accordance with the ?Exception to Fair Opportunity? under FAR 16.505, and posting requirements of FAR 5.301 and FAR 6302-1. Only one awardee is capable of providing the services required, at the level of quality required, and in the timeframe required. Notwithstanding, any firm who believes it is capable of meeting EPA's requirement as stated herein may submit a response, which if received within 15 calendar days of the date of this announcement, will be considered. Responses to this posting must be in writing. The point of contact for this requirement is Andrew Howe, Contracting Officer, at [email protected].