The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Air Resources Lab/Field Research Division (ARL/FRD), proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis a contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with airborne Research Australia, 60 Dakota Drive, Salisbury South, SA, Australia 5106 to provide a total of 60 flight hours using the ECO-Dimona and the Grob 109B aircrafts.****NOAA requires measurements of temperature, turbulence and radar signal strength in and around Adelaide, Australia in April and May 2004. Two aircraft, specially instrumented with the NOAA BAT probe and fast temperature probe (FUST) are required to fly 60 research hours (30 each) in and around Adelaide to measure effects of inversions and naturally occurring index of refraction gradients/refractive turbulence on radar wave propagation. One aircraft will be outfitted with a radar transmitter supplied by the Defense Science & Technology Organization (DTSO) of Australia and will fly above the inversion layer. The other will be outfitted with a radar receiver (also supplied by DTSO) and will collect data on signal strength that can be further related to microwave propagation. These data will be used to characterize the inversion layer and the regions directly above and below and relate the atmospheric conditions to microwave propagation. This is a joint project between the Air Force Research Laboratory, NOAA, and the (DTSO) of Australia. Airborne Research Australia is the only group having multiple aircraft equipped with BAT probes and fast temperature sensors able to meet the above requirements.**** This simplified acquisition (NTE $100K) is being conducted under the authority of FAR Part 13. No solicitation is available. Responses to this notice must be received no later than March 2, 2004 and will be evaluated solely to determine if a competitive procurement process will be in the Government’s best interest. Inquiries or responses should be submitted in writing to Doris Turner, Purchasing Agent, via email at [email protected] or by fax at 303-497-3163. Any source that believes it can supply the required service should respond by submitting a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating the ability to meet the above requirement within 15 days of this notice. Information submitted in response to the notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government’s best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. FAR provisions in full text are available online at http://www.arnet.gov/far/ including requirements for registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/conops/#REFERENCE. Hard copy in full text available from office address and phone number listed in notice. Anticipated award date will be March 5, 2004.

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