Opportunity: Notice of intent to sole source.

Subject: Notice of Intent to Sole Source Procurement Office: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters Acquisition Division 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20460 In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Headquarters Acquisition Division (HQAD) intends to award a Sole Source Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order to procure filter testing services from TRC Environmental Corporation of Windsor, CT. EPA has identified TRC Environmental as the only contractor able to meet the requirements of this procurement. The estimated value of this procurement is $141,000. Market research has identified TRC Environmental as the vendor for this sole source acquisition and determined that they have the unique qualifications and expertise in this field that will benefit the government. TRC is the only source currently known that is capable of providing this service that meets the level of quality required because the services are unique and highly specialized. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for procuring, testing, and distributing filters of high purity to the State/local air pollution control agencies. The quartz filters are used with a size selective sampler to collect PM-10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers) samples. The glass fiber filters are used with a Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) sampler. The Teflon filters are used with a sampler to collect PM-2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) samples. What makes this filter acceptance testing requirement unique is the depth and breadth of analysis needed to run the required tests to ensure EPA¿s Quartz, Glass, and Teflon filters have uniform characteristics and known quality assurance testing for the national particulate networks. There is a certain high level of expertise that comes with doing this type of work. TRC is the only known organization with the knowledge, testing equipment and capabilities to carry out the filter batch testing, (a batch is defined as filters to be used in one calendar year), set forth in the statement of work which requires filters to undergo the following tests: DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate Smoke Test) Testing, Loose Particles Testing, Temperature Stability Testing, Trace Element Analysis, Moisture Pickup, Alkalinity Testing, Tensile Strength, Filter Thickness, and Lead Testing. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 ¿ Testing Laboratories, with a small business size standard of $16.5 million. The Government is continually seeking qualified, interested vendors. However, TRC Environmental is the only vendor that meets the requirements outlined in the procurement request package. NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE. This notice of intent to award is not a request for competitive quotations. Interested concerns capable of providing the service as described in this notice may submit a Capability Statement outlining their capabilities. Information received will be evaluated for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Capability Statements must be received within the time set forth in this announcement to be considered by the Government. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. A determination to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Each response should include the following Business Information: a. DUNS. b. Company Name. address, POC, Phone and Email address c. Current GSA Schedules or NAICS codes appropriate to this Award. d. Type of Company (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, HUBZone, veteran owned. etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must register on the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/# l e. Capability Statement Responses to this posting must be in writing, be received by the time set forth in this announcement, and provide clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. A determination not to compete the proposed purchase order based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All questions should be directed to William Tichacek, Contract Specialist at tichacek.william@epa.gov. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED.