NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE:

This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract.  Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).  Contracting Officers may solicit from one source if it's determined only one source is reasonably available to satisfy agency requirements, as supplemented with additional information in this notice.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, (NIFA) intends to award on a sole source basis a Firm Fixed Price contract to The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). NIFA, has the need for a requirement to conduct an annual crosscut analysis to determine the amount of funds that are expended by NIFA on biotechnology research. The goals of the biotechnology crosscut analyses process are to (1) determine total and categorized expenditure of biotechnology projects across NIFA funded projects and (2) use the expenditures of biotechnology research to determine BRAG program budget for the next fiscal year. This biotechnology crosscut analysis will (1) develop a report detailing the process of the biotechnology crosscut analyses – a data management plan outlining a tentative schedule to ensure the deliverables will be submitted on time. Determine major changes in crosscut categories in comparison to previous years crosscuts. (2) Create at least three electronic spreadsheets outlining the percentage of projects with the specified components described in the PWS. (3) Provide yearly annual reporting that summarizes the activities conducted for the year. The report should include a description of the significant outcomes and successes over the past year. In addition, the report should contain detailed listing of activities for each subcontractor involved in the analyses. (4) A final report. This biotechnology crosscut analysis service needed by NIFA, is only available through one source, CAST. CAST is the only qualified organization to supply the required SMEs for this integral service of specialized nature.

The period of performance is:

March 27, 2021 to March 26, 2022 (Base)
March 27, 2022 to March 26, 2023 (Option I)
March 27, 2023 to March 26, 2024 (Option II)

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES; AND NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE.

Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the primary point of a contact, Cheryl Lee at [email protected].