The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division office intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Neustar, Inc. to provide one (1) year of Webmetrix web monitoring services for twelve (12) Enterprise Band 9 2.5M units for Integrated Dissemination Program (IDP) hosted web services for the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in College Park, MD.

Justification for Sole Source
NCEP requires the purchase of a Webmetrix external web monitoring for a period of one (1) year. The Neustar software is currently utilized by NCEP in monitoring NOAA's network and communication utilization. Webmetrix will support the infrastructure of the IDP, ensure 100% geographically diverse backup, and assist in preparation of increases in satellite, model, and radar data. Webmetrix also gathers statistics for website and file download speeds and provides uptime statistics for all IDP sites to help NCEP troubleshoot regional issues.

Neustar, Inc. is the sole proprietor, manufacturer, developer, and distributor for Webmetrix software. Neustar's software aligns with NCEP's current platform and system and manages NCEP's Data Center network and communication bandwidths. This software is essential in achceiving NCEP's mission of delivering national and global weather, water, climate, and space weather guidance, forecasts, warnings and analyses. Changing this monitoring tool to a different source would cause a disruption in service, prohibiting NCEP from supporting the infrastructure of IDP in College Park, MD and related sites. The government does not know of any other software web monitoring tools that provide the necessary monitoring options to manage the NCEP Data Center network and communication bandwidths, nor are they compatible with the current platform.

Sources Sought
This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the services may submit substantiating documentation in writing within ten (10) days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. 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 response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.

Bid Protests Not Available