In accordance with 41 USC 253 (c)(1) - Only one responsible source, The United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Space Commercialization (OSC) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs for OSC secretariat support services, as outlined in the attached Statement of Work.

The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs serves as the focal point for matters related to the International Committee on Global Navigation and Satellite Systems (ICG).  The ICG is an essential way for this nation to encourage integration of our Global Positioning System and its augmentations into the basic infrastructure of countries throughout the world, particularly the developing nations; encourage interoperability and compatibility of satellite navigation systems; and foster science and technology education about GNSS applications in the developed and developing world.  Attendance of the ICG by foreign GNSS counterparts could engender goodwill.  Efforts such as the ICG are essential to the United States maintaining its technological advantage.  If OSC were to conduct these workshops, it would result in a situation where the Government competes against the U.S. private sector.

United Nations Office of Outer Space Affaris previously partnered with the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (NCO) in providing secretariat support.  The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) hosted the first meeting of the ICG in 2006.  U.S. Industry representatives participated on the U.S. delegation.  Terms of Reference were adopted maintaining the non-binding, informal nature of ICG.  The U.S. sees a future role of the ICG to assist both the member of the Committee and the international users community by serving as the focal point for international information exchange related to GNSS activities. 

Vendors who believe that they have the ability to provide secretariat support services as outlined, are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating that they can meet the Government requirements to provide the required services.  The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish capability to meet the requirements.  A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is soley within the discretion of the Government.

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