17 -- Aviation Equipment Near Shore Life Rafts

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration intends to negotiate on a non-competitive basis citing 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1) with Winslow Raft Company which is located in Lake Suzy, Florida. This requirement is for Near Shore Life Rafts. Specifications; (1) NOAA needs to acquire light-weight durable 4-person capacity aviation life rafts to be used aboard small airplanes and helicopters as part of the aviation life support equipment required by NOAA's new aviation safety policy. (2) These rafts must be packed in such a way as to be extremely durable and capable of being handled roughly with other scientific and safety equipment being loaded and unloaded from a variety of aircraft in the field environment. (3) In addition to durability, the rafts must be packed to extend the inspection cycle to 3 year intervals to reduce the overall cost of inspection and provide more continuous service. This notice of intent is to negotiate on a non-competitive basis with Winslow Raft Company. Winslow Raft Company is the standardization of equipment with existing rafts purchased for use on NOAA aircraft. In addition, Research conducted by Equipped to Survive, and independent reviewer of safety equipment reports, Winslow life rafts are superior to all others for general aviation use. In addition, no one offers buyers more options to customize the life rafts or survival kits to fit their own needs. No other life raft company vacuum packs life rafts to extend the inspection cycle from 1 to 3 years. The Pelican hard cases needed for the Life Rafts are part of Winslow customizing the survival kit to fit NOAA's needs. The Pelican cases purchased separately would cost $180/case. This is a 12 month base period Contract. This acquisition is being issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 6.3 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. RFQ: NAAN0040600033 is being issued with the notice: 52.213-4 and 52.204-7. The NAICS code is 419170. Interested parties who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response. To be considered an affirmative response, all responses must include detailed technical information and other technical literature demonstrating the ability to meet the above requirements. In response, you must address each of the items listed above in sufficient detail to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirements. Failure to submit documentation will result in the Government proceeding as stated above. A determination by the Government not to open competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 15 days after publication of this synopsis. The solicitation for this requirement will be prepared in accordance with FAR Part 13 procedures. Responses may be e-mailed to Leila.Harrington@noaa.gov no later than May 2, 2006. Reference Solicitation No: RFQ: NAAN0040600033 with your response. See Note 22 (Exception 15 days)