U.S.Department of Energy, Document Control Specialist, P.O. Box 2500, Washington, DC 20013

B -- PERIODIC INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC REVIEWS OF THE DOE'S INERTIAL CONFINEMENT FUSION (ICF) PROGRAM AND SCIENCE-BASED STOCKPILE STEWARDSHIP (SBSS) PROGRAM POC Jeffrey Dulberg, Contract Specialist, (202) 634-4468, Richard G. Lewis, Contracting Officer, (202) 634-4448. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intends to solicit a proposal and negotiate with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/National Research Council (NRC) (or, ''The Academy''), Washington, DC, for a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302. The NAS/NRC is the only organization, which possesses the internationally-recognized scientific expertise, objectivity, and total independence that are essential to successfully complete the reviews for the ICF Program and the SBSS Program. Executive Order 12832 states, ''When a department or agency of the executive branch of the Government determines that the Academy, because of its unique qualifications, is the only source that can provide the measure of expertise, independence, objectivity, and audience acceptance necessary to meet the department's or agency's program requirements, acquisition of services by the Academy may be obtained on a noncompetitive basis if otherwise in accordance with applicable law and regulations. No Government organizations and other commercial entities have this unique combination of expertise, objectivity, and independence for these programs. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 30 days after the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort based upon 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. (0067)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0028 19960308\B-0002.SOL)