Nature and/or description of the action being awarded.

Acquisition purpose and objectives.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Secretary, has established an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to provide quick settlement for certain administrative claims brought against HHS under the Federal Tort Claims Act. See 69 Federal Register 57294 (September 24, 2004). The ADR process implements the "Early Offers" initiative. Part of the initiative involves a neutral party managing a Settlement Depository (SD) as part of the administrative claims files system of records 09-90-0062. The current system of records notice was last published in its entirety in 49 Federal Register 6998 (1984) and amended in 59 Federal Register 55845 (1994).

Project background.

This is a procurement of services of an ADR Neutral for the Early Offers Program. 41 U.S.C. §253(c)(3)(C), FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(iii), and 5 U.S.C. § 573(e) all authorize the selection of an ADR Neutral as an exception to full and open competition.

This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The acquisition shall not exceed an amount of $120,000. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541199 and the Size Standard is $7.0M. This Special Notice is not a request for competitive quotes. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within discretion of the Government. This action is under the authority of 41.U.S.C.253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 13.106-1(B)(2). Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number RFQ-OS-60185 must be submitted to Contract Specialist, Micah Kauzlarich, electronically via email to [email protected].