The U.S. Department of State intends to issue a Sole Source Award to APPLE ENTERPRISE for XSERVE RAID SOFTWARE at the following specifications: QTY (1) Z0D3 -XSERVE RAID includes 065-3777 Cache Battery Back-up Modules, 065-6119 7000GB ADM (14 x500GB Ultra ATA) and 065-5451 Accessory Kit. QTY (1) S1729LL/A Apple Care Premium Service and Support Plan for Xserve Raid. The Xserve RAID is a product of Apple and Apple is the only manufacture of Mac OS Xserve RAID. Apple restricts its distribution to only Apple outlets. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(i). The regulatory authority is FAR 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source procurement action and is not a request for competitive proposals. Firms who want to challenge the sole source must submit an interest letter that demonstrates your firms ability to provide an equivalent supply as described above. Interested parties must provide a rationale as to why they should be considered. All interested firms must respond to this notice by 12 July 2006, 12:00 PM EST. to the point of contact listed below. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion for the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The U.S. Department of State will not reimburse for any costs connected with providing the capability information.

Bid Protests Not Available