Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 and 41 USC 253(c)(1) Only One Responsible Source, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Research Service (ARS), intends to make a sole source award to Alston & Byrd Law Office, located in Baltimore, Maryland for the services of legal expertise and to defend the interest of the USDA/ARS/Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The work will be continuous in nature until the dispute is resolved or settled between parties. Services will be determined by the legal nature of the case. An open and ongoing process will best service the Government in this particular matter.

Because of the specificity of this matter in which Alston & Byrd has served as agency counsel for several years now, this law office is the only entity that continues the ongoing arbitration process as they are already thoroughly familiar with the pertinent files, documents, and Agency personnel.

Failure to continue with the representation by Alston & Byrd would jeopardize the Agency's legal strategy that has already been in place for several years, as well as result in legal and economic efficiencies to the Agency.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Potential sources who believe they can provide the services listed above are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government.

NAICS Code is 541110. The anticipated date of award is September 16, 2013.

Bid Protests Not Available