NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition, Accountability, and Analysis Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); with GIT Satellite LLC for Iridium data subscription services related to the deployment of Drix Unmanned Surface Vessels performing oceanic and atmospheric research in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Sole Source Justification

The sole source determination is based on the NOAA Emerging Technology Branch’s deployment of Drix Unmanned Surface Vehicles from NOAA research ships during the FY23 field season. These unmanned surface vessels will gather data in support of general marine research and hydrographic acoustic surveys in the northern Pacific Ocean. Communication with the Drix unmanned surface vessels is provided via Iridium Satellite uplink for vehicle control, sensor adjustment, and vehicle monitoring during coordinated acoustic survey operations. GIT Satellite LLC provided the initial data subscription, vesselink CERTUS Terminals, SIM cards, and IMEIs. Use of another vendor would require extensive refitting and reprogramming of the terminals, installation of new SIM cards, and issuing of new IMEIs.

Special Notice

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment or service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation to the identified point of contact within 15 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. Responses can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].  A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1600 PM PDT on Jan 05, 2023.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Incomplete statements do not warrant consideration. Phone calls in regard to this notice will not be accepted.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: NM-AN2120-23-00418

Project Title: NOAA Emerging Technologies Branch Iridium CERTUS Satellite Communications Data Services FY23