B- NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES This publication serves as a notice of intent to award a sole source contract to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the purpose of providing an expert review of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) eligibility and participation estimation methodology. This independent, external review is in response to a 1998 House Appropriations Committee report questioning the methodology used to prepare USDA's WIC eligibility and participation estimates. The contract period of performance is approximately two years and will include a base (Phase I) and one option (Phase II). Phase I will include the review and alternative recommendations for producing sounder estimates. Phase II activities would include achieving a consensus on the recommended alternatives for USDA consideration, testing the alternatives, analyzing the results, and preparing a final report. NAS is a long-established source of scientific research and policy advice to the Government, created in 1863and most recently reconfirmed by E.O. 12832 (January 19, 1993). NAS has the unique ability to assemble the Nation's most eminent scholars, who serve as volunteers on committees and boards without compensation, to render guidance of the highest quality and unparalleled objectivity to address national problems of high priority. This sole source acquisition is being issued under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and is advertised to meet the requirements of FAR 5.2. Questions must be submitted to Patsy Palmer at (703)305-2251 or e-mail patsy.palmer@fns.usda.gov before Friday, June 23, 2000. Posted 06/12/00 (W-SN463758).

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