NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Mountain Region Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with the Regents of the University of Colorado of Boulder, CO, for the purchase of scientific services to conduct in-depth experimental investigation and analysis of electromechanical properties of superconducting materials using the NIST Walter's spring apparatus.

The sole source determination is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) market research and expert knowledge in determining that the Regents of the University of Colorado is a unique source for providing the measurements on the effect of strain on the superconducting properties as a function of magnetic field up to 16.5 T and temperature from 4 K to 20 K. The contractor shall perform an extensive experimental investigation and analysis and have a strong experimental and theoretical background in electro-mechanics of superconductors. The delivery date shall be December 30, 2009.

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.