F--BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYTICAL SERVICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) intends to issue a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The Government has determined that only one responsible source is available, and no other source will satisfy agency requirements.

Select Vendor:
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
Hwy 12 N
Fort Defiance, AZ 86504
UEI: N545DUC9BCR1

Period of Performance: 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2026 (plus 4 option years)
Estimate Grand Total: $76,574.40 (base and all options value)

The purpose of this contract is to obtain analytical services for routine and special bacteriological sampling of the Indian Affairs drinking water systems within the Navajo Nation. There are 44 Bureau-operated water systems from which samples are collected within the distribution system and source water collection points prior to treatment. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)/Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Water System Operators are responsible for the collection of the monthly drinking water samples and shipment to a certified laboratory for analyses. Each calendar year, schedules of sample collection and their analytical protocol are issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region IX and Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (NNEPA), in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). These services are necessary for ongoing monthly bacteriological sample analyses to stay in compliance with Public Law 93-523, SDWA enforced by USEPA/NNEPA. The analytical support contract services all small community drinking water systems owned/operated by BIA/BIE on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
Estimated Samples Per Year: 602
Estimated Samples in Total: 3010

The select vendor is the designated service provider under the Navajo Nation for bacteriological sampling. Pursuant to DIAR 1480.401(d)(2), Sole Source Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE), the selected vendor is a not-for-profit enterprise of the Navajo Nation Tribal Government. The Navajo Nation is a federally recognized tribe. In addition, there is no other IEE laboratory within the 150-mile radius of Gallup, NM authorized to provide this service. The radius requirement is necessary to allow for holding times and delivery of samples to meet both USEPA standards and Emergency response requirements. BIA/BIE is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. This includes 24-hour Consumer Confidence notification to system users for exceedance of any SDWA standard. Therefore, in the event of a drinking water sample found to be positive of E. coli bacteria, emergency response will be necessary for the protection of the students, employees, and other users. This will mean the receipt of sample containers on a same-day basis and possible delivery by staff within the working day. Exceeding the 150-mile radius will risk BIA/BIE from meeting these requirements.

Any contractor information provided in response to this notice is strictly voluntary and shall be at no cost to the government. This is not a request for quote or proposal, and the government is not accepting quotes nor proposals in response to this notice. Service Code: F999-Other Environmental Services, NAICS Code: 541380-Testing Laboratories and Services / $19.0 in millions of dollars