NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE AWARD. The intent of this Pre-solicitation Notice is for informational purposes only. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA) intends to award a sole source firm fixed price contract to the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, SC for food and beverages for a conference. This proposed contract will be awarded pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Background: A conference will be held at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, SC from 7/9/24 to 7/12/24 for an estimated 100 people. The Francis Marion will provided catering services (food & beverages) for the conference events.

This Notice of Intent is not considered an Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Proposals (RFP), or Request for Quotations (RFQ) nor does it restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. Responsible sources meeting the requirements may identify their interest and technical capability to this requirement. The Government will not reimburse firms for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice.

All responses must be submitted to the Government by email only to the Government point of contact shown below and shall be considered by the Agency. All responses should be submitted by Friday, July 1, 2022, no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

The Government will be the sole determiner regarding an offeror’s ability to meet all requirements. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.