THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT AR EQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The intent of this special notice is for informational purposes only. The USDA, ARS, WBSC, Mid South Area, intends to issue and award to Apiaries & Orchard Forklift, Inc., 7948 N. Sheridan Road, Edmore, MI 48829 for a Hummerbee Turbo Rough terrain Forklift and HummerBee Hauler Trailer. This is the only know manufacturer of these unique and specialized bee keeping forklift sequencing kits, FC-401-3001 TruSeq SBS Kit v3 - HS, 3ea, PE-401-3001 TruSeq PE Cluster Kit v3, 3 ea. This sole-source procurement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The NAICS code for this action is 334516. ARS requires that all contractors doing business with them must be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR, please access the following website: sss.ccr.gov

This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties should submit written (mail or email) responses including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement and must be received in this office by close of business August 9, 2012. If no written responses are received the purchase will be awarded without further notice. Please contact by email Contracting Officer, Terry A. Krutz with responses or questions regarding this requirement at [email protected].

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

TITLE: Justification for other than full and open competition for the purchase of the following: A&O Hummerbee Turbo Rough Terrain Forklift, as set of foam filled tires, full suspension seat and the Hummerbee Hauler Trailer

1. Contracting Activity. USDA, ARS, MSA, Procurement Office
141 Experiment Station Road
P. O. Box 225
Stoneville, MS 38776-0225
662/686-5361
 
2. Nature/Description of Action
To purchase the A&O HummerBee Turbo Rough Terrain Forklift to safely transport, load and unload pallets of bees.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.
The Hummerbee Forklift, tire set, seat upgrade and Trailer will be used in the pursuance of a palletized beekeeping operation as practiced by migratory pollination and beekeeping industry.

4. Statutory Authority.
Only one Responsible Source: Supplies or services are available from only one responsible source, no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

[ X ] 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1
Only one Source in Case of a Follow-on Contract: Supplies or services are available from only one source in the case of a follow-on contract for continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment and would result in duplication of cost or an unacceptable delay in filling the agency=s requirement if award to another source.

[ ] 10 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)(B) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (d)(1)(B)
Unusual and Compelling Urgency. When an agency's need for the supplies or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals.

[ ] 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(2) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(2).
Authorized or Required by Statute.

[ ] 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(5)
National Security.

[ ] 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(6) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(6)
Public Interest.

[ ] 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(7) or 41 U.S.C 253 (c)(7)

5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications.
The Hummerbee is the only forklift that is specifically made for beekeeping applications. It is designed to lift pallets of bees, onto trucks, even though the machine is on uneven ground. There is a clamping device designed specifically to hold the bee hives from above to prevent the dropping when operating on uneven ground. The Hummerbee is made I a way that the visibility allows the operator to see the pallet of bees and the truck bed so that it is unnecessary for a second person to give directions to the operator while the pallet is being loaded. The Hummerbee's articulation allows the machine to be maneuvered in tight apiary situations and the tires are wide so that the machine can also be operate din muddy situations.

6. Federal Business Opportunities Announcement/Potential Sources.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The cost of this equipment is determined to be fair and reasonable.

8. Market Survey. An internet search was competed and there was no finding of a specific bee keeping forklift. There was a finding of an ordinary forklift that was costumed to be able to see the bee pallets but it was only for hard surfaces.

9. Additional Support. The Hummerbee is made in a way that the visibility allows the operator to see the pallet of bees and the truck bed so that it is unnecessary for a second person to give directions to the operator while the pallet is being loaded. The hummerbee's articulation allows the machine to be maneuvered in tight apiary situations and the tires are wide so that the machine can also be operated in muddy situations.

10. Other Interested Sources.

11. Actions taken to remove barriers to competition.

CERTIFICATIONS

Requirements/Program Office:
I certify the facts and representations under my cognizance included in this justification form are complete and accurate basis for the justification.
Thomas E. Rinderer, Research leader 225/766-9280 7/12/2012
Printed Name           Title                  Phone            Date

Contracting Officer:
I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Terry Krutz,      Contracting Officer, 662/686-5361 7/24/2012
Printed Name    Title                     Phone                Date

Bid Protests Not Available