*****Sole source justification is based on the need to purchase thirty (30) Norwegian Spruce Trees, at least five (5) meters in height, for an upcoming (September 2010) experimental campaign to provide mulch (fuel) for NIST's Firebrand Generator. This generator is a unique, one of a kind apparatus developed by NIST in support of the Building Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL), to study ignition of structures in Wild land Urban Interface Fires. The study will consist of investigating vulnerabilities of siding treatments and glazing assemblies to firebrand showers. Seibu Landscape Company is the only known vendor capable in providing the required trees to the Fire Research Wind Tunnel Facility at the Building Research Laboratory, in Tsukuba, Japan.
***Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and be completed in accordance with the Contractor's commercial schedule. ***

*** As defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The contractor shall deliver all line items to Tsukuba, Japan.***

*****The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 111421, and the size standard is $.75 M.

******A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

*****No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, responses received by August 13, 2010 will be considered by the Government.