Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract - Drinking Water Sampling Services within US Army Garrison Fort Buchanan

The Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Fort Buchanan, on behalf of the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract on a sole-source basis to Environmental Quality Laboratories, Inc. for comprehensive drinking water sampling, analysis, and reporting services. The period of performance will include a one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, with an estimated total value of $871,204.00.

This requirement is for non-personal services to ensure the Fort Buchanan potable water system (PWSID #PR0132051) remains in full compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, and all applicable Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH) mandates.

Authority and Justification: This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 3204(a)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." Market research, including a Sources Sought notice, confirmed that Environmental Quality Laboratories, Inc. is the only source that possesses the complete and unique suite of mandatory, non-negotiable certifications required to perform this work in Puerto Rico. To be considered technically acceptable, a vendor must hold all of the following:

General PRDOH Laboratory Certification for Drinking Water Analysis PRDOH Microbiology Drinking Water Laboratory Certification PRDOH Chemistry Testing Laboratory Certification National Environmental Laboratories Accreditation (NELAC) ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation These certifications are essential for regulatory compliance and ensuring the legal defensibility of water quality data. Awarding a contract to a laboratory that does not possess all these credentials would result in non-compliance with federal and local law, posing an unacceptable health and safety risk to the installation community.

Submission of Information: This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources who believe they can meet all of the above requirements may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract 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. Interested parties must submit clear and convincing evidence that they are fully certified to perform this work Capability statements should be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist, Harvey Odom, at harvey.odom.civ@army.mil no later than 24 July 2026 at 8:00 AM Atlantic Standard Time. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice.