The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) intends to negotiate with and award to Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. as a sole source in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1(a)(1) and pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1)--Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The requirement is classified as a commercial item and is prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6. The equipment is proprietary to Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc.

1) 2 EA - 37SMP: MicroCAT C and T
2) 2 EA - 37SMP-1x: Wire Clamps for 0.322" Wire
3) 2 EA - 37SMP-3d: 1000 m Guage Pressure Sensor
4) 2 EA - 37SMP-6b: Wet-pluggable Connectors

The Oceanography Branch of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center operates a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) monitoring program to understand the long-term changes in ocean conditions and to relate these changes to resource species and the ecosystem dynamics. Approximately 2000 CTD casts are performed each year from 5-10 NEFSC surveys. The NEFSC owns 9 SeaBird CTDs to support this program. These instruments are maintained, used, and calibrated following strict oceanographic standards and the use of these instruments is critical to the program. The SeaBird instruments generate data in a specific format and the NEFSC data systems have been specifically designed to handle this specific format. The MicroCAT and peripherals will be used to attach to a trawl head rope and is smaller than the standard SeaBird CTDs. This is an operational requirement of attaching the instrument to the trawl. It is critical to the continued operation of the CTD program that instruments are supplied by the same manufacturer as instruments already owned by NOAA, so that they are operationally identical and compatible. This is necessary for equipment set-up, deployment, data collection, data processing, and data archiving.

This notice of intent is not a request for quotes. It is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Potential sources who believe they can provide the products listed will be considered, and are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact no later than the closing date of this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. Any information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. No solicitation package is available. Oral communications will not be accepted.

The NAICS for this requirement is 334519 and the corresponding business size is 500 employees. The Government will consider all written responses received no later than July 21, 2014 by 4PM, If no affirmative written responses are received to determine whether a qualified source is more advantageous to the Government, the award shall be made without further notice to Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. For questions regarding this announcement, please contact Donna Sanchez via email at [email protected].

Bid Protests Not Available