The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division, Boulder intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis under authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1), with Tekdata Interconnections Limited for twelve 6" cryogenic cables and twenty 14" cryogenic cables.

Sole source determination is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) requirement for twelve 6" cryogenic cable and twenty 14" cryogenic cable that consist of 33 twisted pairs of 38 AWG superconducting CuNi-clad NbTi wire woven into a Nomex fiber loom. The wires will be soldered into Nano-D connectors and then epoxy potted for strain relief. The connectors have electrical contacts on a tiny, 0.025" pitch and make electrical connections between cryogenic stages held at 3 K and 0.05 K while conducting little heat. The Nomex loom protects the cable from kinking and provides simple structural footprint. Based on market research, Tekdata Interconnections is the only vendor that can meet requirements. Delivery 90 days after receipt of order.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, firms that believe they can provide equipment that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.