Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

The Great Plains Area Indian Health Service hereby submits a notice of intent to award a sole source, Firm Fixed-Price, purchase order to replenish the postage meter that is associated with the Indian Health Services (IHS) in Rosebud, SD. Without postage, patients will not be able to receive mail, prescriptions, and other critical medical information regarding their personal healthcare. The tribal population demographics show one of the highest poverty levels in the United States. Being able to send mail, prescriptions, and other important medical information in a timely manner is extremely important in helping patients initiate and maintain an optimal level of health and quality of life. The vendor must be able to provide postage to help ensure the health clinic can provide continuity of care and coordination of care for IHS patients. Only one source is capable of providing this postage due to the postage machine being from Pitney Bowes, therefore the postage needed to operate it must also come from Pitney Bowes. The period of performance will be for sixty (60) days from the Date of Award. The acquisition is to provide postage for the Indian Health Services (IHS) in Rosebud, SD. This sole source contracting action is pursuing a waiver from placing an order on a competitive basis pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements and is based on this vendor is the sole company that can provide this supply due to the postage machine being from Pitney Bowes. The total estimated value is $20,000. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that sole source would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and would not hinder the mission objective of our agency standardization. The determination not to compete this proposed contract action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. This is NOT a request for quotes or proposals. Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent should be directed to Jarrod Cole, Purchasing Agent via email only at jarrod.cole@ihs.gov (phone calls/voice mail messages regarding questions will not be accepted and will not receive a response). Please indicate in the subject of your email: Notice of Intent Question Submission – IHS1521401, Pitney Bowes Postage.