***NOAA'S ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-BOULDER, SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER (SWFSC) INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), WITH HIGH TECH, INC. OUT OF LONG BEACH, MS FOR HTI-92-WB AND HTI-99-HF HYDRPHONES .

***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S (NOAA) REQUIREMENT THAT HIGH TECH IS THE MANUFACTURER AND SOLE PROVIDER OF THE HTI-92-WB AND HTI-99-HF UNDERWATER HYDROPHONES. IN 2016, 2019 AND 2020, NOAA PURCHASED THE HTI-92-WB FOR USE WITH DRIFTING RECORDERS USING THE SOUNDTRAP ST4300 UNDERWATER RECORDER. WE CURRENTLY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS FOR OUR FIELD RESEARCH NEEDS. THE NEW HYDROPHONES MUST BE CONSISTENT IN SPECIFICATIONS TO OUR EXISTING INSTRUMENTS. NONE OF THE OTHER VENDORS THAT SELL UNDERWATER HYDROPHONES MATCH OUR SPECIFICATIONS TO THE DEGREE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE US WITH CONSISTENT DATA COLLECTION. THIS PURCHASE WILL CONSIST OF BASE AND OPTION QUANTITIES WITH DELIVERY DATES SEPTEMBER 2021 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2025.

***THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET 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 CONDUCT A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT, BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE, IS SOLELY WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.