The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division, Boulder intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis under authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1), with BG Electronics Company, Inc. for AirBorn N-series "Nano" connectors.

Sole source determination is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) requirement for connectors that have 65 contacts on a contract spacing pitch of 0.025" in a "Nano-D" style configuration, a shell material that is a conductive metal, but does not contain the magnetic elements nickel, cobalt, or iron. Based on market research, the AirBorn/BG combination is the only on that meets all of these requirements. BG Electronics has a delivery time of 6-7 weeks on the AirBorn connectors with a cadmium plated aluminum shell. Delivery seven weeks.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, firms that believe they can provide equipment that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 10 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 compete this proposed effort on a competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communication are not acceptable in response to this notice.