IT and telecommunications support services for National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

NAICS Code: 541512 Computer Systems Design Services. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a requirement for continuation of services under the current contract, GS-06F-0603Z, task order number EP-G17C-00197 as described below. The subject task order expires on 09/30/2023. The contract for follow-on services will not be awarded prior to the expiration date of task order, EPG17C-00197. The services under this contract are critical and cannot lapse and therefore, the EPA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Bluewater Federal Solutions, Inc. located at 14420 Albemarle Point Place, Suite 200, Chantilly, VA, 20151. A modification will be done to the subject task order to extend services for four (4)-months with five (5), one (1)-month option period bridge vehicle, until a replacement contract has been awarded. During this bridge vehicle, Bluewater Federal Solutions, Inc. will continue to provide IT & Telecommunication services to the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) for the agency in accordance with the current task order. This task order provides IT services to the agency's state-of-the-art facility that delivers emissions testing services for motor vehicle, heavy-duty engine, and non-road engine programs in support of federal rulemakings, enforcement actions, and test procedures development. Testing activities include but are not limited to certifying that vehicles and engines meet federal emissions and fuel economy standards, testing engines for in-use compliance, and analyzing fuels, fuel additives, and exhaust compounds.

Bluewater Federal Solutions, Inc. is best suited for continuing to provide services and support for the four (4)-months with five (5), one (1)-month option period bridge vehicle as they have the necessary infrastructure, personnel, and supplies already in place to facilitate EPA's ability to continue the advancement of emissions testing and provide critical data to leadership to enhance the Government's ability to make decisions that protect humans and the environment from significate risk and doing so will guarantee continuity of services for the agency. This is a short-term extension to the subject contract to ensure that the agency has continued IT & Telecommunication services to the NVFEL. Bluewater Federal Solutions, Inc. has adequately supported EPA since being awarded the contract in 2017. Considering the short period of performance contemplated within this extension, the Government believes, that no other contractor could transition this workload from Bluewater Federal Solutions, Inc. and efficiently continue performance without potential reduced services, increased costs, and unnecessary risks to the Government. This four (4)-months with five (5), one (1)-month option period bridge vehicle of services is not an attempt by the Government to limit competition to the incumbent contractor but to ensure that there is no lapse in IT & Telecommunication services to the NVFEL for the agency and to provide additional time for the award of a follow-on contract.

In accordance with FAR Part 5.207(c)(16)(ii), all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the Agency. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether 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 response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

The intent of this notice is to state the Government's intention to award this bridge vehicle on a limited source basis and to determine if any other source(s) exist; and, therefore, no solicitation is available. All interested parties who believe they can provide the required service should fully explain their capabilities and qualifications in writing and must submit itemized pricing that is sufficient to decide that competition is feasible.

All vendor responses will be considered. Responses to this notice should be submitted to the Contract Specialist, Lenitra Elliott at elliott.lenitra@epa.gov and Contracting Officer, Marsha Johnson at johnson.marsha@epa.gov within 15 days from the date of this notice.

The notice, amendments, and other information related to this procurement as well as any subsequent procurement notifications will be posted on the Sam.Gov website at: www.sam.gov. At this time, phone calls related to this procurement are not being accepted.