The Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS) intends to award a non-competitive purchase order to Watanabe Enterprises LLC, 1135 Sandtrap CIR, North Salt Lake, Utah 84054. It is essential to award a contract on a sole source basis to Watanabe Enterprises LLC, since they currently provide physicians whose background check is completed and who are credentialed and available to provide services for the Northern Cheyenne Service Unit, Lame Deer, Montana. In 2018 an RFQ was issued and multiple contracts were awarded for provider services. Awards were made to Tribal Health and Watanabe Enterprises. The providers that work under the contract staff our Urgent Care and Outpatient departments. Without these providers patients will die due to inability to access medical help. These services are essential to our ability to fulfill our mission. The previously awarded contract to Watanabe (HHSI244201900018I) was due to exercise option year three however due to staffing issues and other priorities the final steps were not completed. Thus, contract 75H70922C00007 was issued on a sole source basis to Watanabe and is now expiring without the opportunity available to extend further since insufficient time remains available to award a new competitive contract far enough in advance for a new provider to complete the clearance and credentialing process. It is essential to award a contract on a sole source basis to Watanabe since they currently provide physicians whose background check is completed and who are credentialed and available to provide services. The procurement will be conducted pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services; FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements; and FAR 37.101, Non-Personal Services Contract. This is not a request for competitive proposal and no solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can provide the service are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notification within 15 days of the publication date of this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any Information received will be used for market research purposes for future considerations.

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