A -- Small Explosion Monitoring Program

The 45th Contracting Squadron plans to negotiate a sole-source contract with Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, to support the expansion of the Seismo-Acoustic Monitoring Program, which is crucial for nuclear test ban treaty verification. This program focuses on deploying geophysical and acoustic data acquisition equipment aimed at identifying small natural and man-made seismic and acoustic sources. The contract will also fund research and development activities related to the use and advancement of such equipment. SMU is uniquely qualified for this work due to a pre-existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Institute of Geology, Mining, and Materials (KIGAM), allowing them to operate and maintain seismic and acoustic arrays in the Republic of Korea. The sole-source justification cites the specialized nature of the effort and SMU’s exclusively suitable capabilities and experience, with no other suppliers meeting the agency’s requirements. The contract is expected to be a cost contract with a one-year base period from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006, including two optional one-year extensions. The acquisition is governed under the sole-source authority of U.S. Code 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and includes the applicability of the Ombudsman clause per AFFARS 5352.201-9101. The contracting office is located at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, with identified points of contact for contract administration and oversight. This solicitation is currently in the presolicitation phase, and no set-aside information or NAICS code has been designated.