The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with Sensor Sense of the Netherlands for an ethylene detector. This detector is capable of the following: 1) measuring ethylene with a fast response time (5-10 seconds), which is necessary to characterize the atmospheric variability in pollutant concentrations that exist close to emission sources. 2) has a high sensitivity (0.1 ppbv), the study design calls for flights near ethylene emission sources, where atmospheric mixing ratios can be as high as 100 ppbv, and to follow theses plumes over 100s of kilometers, during which the mixing ratio decreases to below 1 ppbv due to dilution and chemical removal. 3) laser spectroscopic method, and its high spectral resolution to provide interference-free detection of ethylene under atmospheric conditions. 4) lightweight instrument suitable for aircraft that can be operated unattended. This unit will be used for an upcoming aircraft field study in 2006. It is the government’s belief that there is no other company capable of providing an instrument to meet the required specifications. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13.1, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (under $100K). This notice is for information purposes only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this 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. Anticipated award date is July 8, 2005.

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