The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requires WAN connectivity to both the commodity Internet and the Next Generation Internet (NGI, Internet 2 or I2). I2 is a consortium of over 170 universities working in partnership with industry and government to develop and deploy advanced network applications and technologies, accelerating the creation of tomorrow’s commodity Internet. I2 has built an advanced backbone network known as Abilene that connects regional network aggregation points, called GigaPOPs. Only research related traffic is permitted on the Abilene network. Abilene and I2 are projects of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), Ann Arbor, MI, which bills NOAA annually for Abilene Participation as well as fee Affiliate Collaboration Site Membership dues. NOAA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with UCAID for NOAA’s annual I2 and Abilene participation fees. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE $100,000). This synopsis is issued for information only. Responses to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures for future years to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government’s best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. FAR Clauses in full text are at http://www.ARNET.gov/far/ and includes the Central Contractor Registration Clause. Anticipated award date is March 23, 2006.

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