Opportunity: To procure Argus Americas Biofuels 2018 subscription services for three (3) OTA

SYNOPSIS Annual Subscription to Americas Biofuels for EPA NVFEL The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Assessment and Standards Division (ASD), National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL), Ann Arbor, Michigan, intends to purchase 3 subscriptions with the option to extend 1 subscription for 4 additional years to the Argus Americas Biofuels ¿ Desktop Access. The OAR NVFEL SACO anticipates awarding a single firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract to Argus Media, Inc. EPA has identified Argus Media, Inc. as the only contractor able to meet the requirements of this procurement. EPA¿s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program contains a trading and banking component for units of compliance called Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). These RINs are traded on the open market; a unique price is attached to each batch of RINs that are traded. The EPA does not track these prices on the open market, and the EPA needs to subscribe to services such as Argus that collect and report out on this price information to its subscribers. This service also provides other information such as batch volumes and conventional fuel and feedstock spreads that help the EPA better understand the functioning markets as we implement the RFS program. Argus Media is the only known source to collect and report out on price information to its subscribers such as batch volumes and conventional fuel and feedstock spreads that can help EPA better understand the functioning markets. Therefore, the Government intends to solicit with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). This procurement will be conducted utilizing The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 519130 ¿ Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals with a size standard of 1,000 employees Argus is the only vendor able to provide Americas Biofuels Web/Online desktop access annual subscription that provides the information required by the government minimum specifications listed below: Minimum Requirements ¿ Pricing information on Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) traded on the open market ¿ Information on batch volumes, conventional fuel, and feedstock spreads ¿ Unlimited historical data contained in the Argus database ¿ Data collected allowed to be used in aggregated form, such as charts, in calculations, etc., in public documents. This procurement will be accomplished under the simplified and commercial item procedures under FAR Part 12 and 13. Interested firms may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements within 15 calendar days of the date of publication of this notice. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Sources wishing to be considered MUST submit documentation to the office identified above. This documentation shall establish the respondent has the ability to meet all the requirements identified above, and shall cite specific examples of previous similar work, including client names and contact information. Submit your documentation in writing to Angel Taylor via email to taylor.angel@epa.gov. Telephone requests will not be honored.