A -- To provide scientific research and engineering services in the analysis, evaluation, testing, and enhancement of NOAA satellite, meteorological, and oceanographic systems.

Special Notice: The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Mitretek Systems, Inc. under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3) and 10 U.S.C. 253(c)(3) as implemented by FAR 6.302-3. This is a bridge effort that will keep essential services for scientific research and engineering services provided by Mitretek in place until a new competition amongst non-profit firms can be completed. There is a potential opportunity for a portion of these services to be acquired under full and open competition in the future. This requirement is currently provided by Mitretek Systems, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), scientific research and engineering corporation that operates in the public interest. Mitretek provides support in the analysis, evaluation, testing, and enhancement of NOAA satellite, meteorological, and oceanographic systems; satellite ground systems engineering, acquisition, and evolution; transition to research weather systems to operations; transition to higher satellite downlink data rates and lossless data product processing; RF spectrum performance, utilization, interference analyses, and modulation techniques; data compression technologies; biometrics and advanced access control and identification; system architectures integration of non-NOAA spacecraft; improvements in scheduling of systems resources; accommodation of new instruments; constellation run-out and transition planning; operational systems transition and upgrade; analysis and planning that incorporates scientific validity and upgrade; telecommunications strategies and utilization of advance networks; and, associated services that apply developments to systems in the area of IT Security analysis, disaster recovery/continuity of operations planning, and systems automation; Doppler weather radar evolution; air quality forecasting; integration of non-NOAA weather radar information into NOAA systems; ocean engineering; hydrographic services optimization; autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and remotely operated vehicles (ROV); satellite- and in situ-based ocean observing systems and data distribution planning. This requirement is for essential evaluation, testing, and recommendations of new and existing technologies in the various areas described above. It is anticipated that these services will be needed for a period of nine months and the staffing level will be approximately 60 FTE. The Government anticipates the issuance of an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to meet this need. As an IDIQ, the Government anticipates a minimum of $25,000 for the total period of performance. Work will be established on a time and material task order basis. Labor categories and fully loaded hourly rates will be negotiated prior to award, as well as clarification of cost factors such as local travel, office supplies, and indirect rates that will be applied to these and other materials cost. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541990 and the size standard is $6 million in annual average gross revenue of the concern taken for the last three fiscal years. THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO MITRETEK SYSTEMS, INC. This is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation will be published. Any responses to this notice will be used by the Government to determine the appropriateness of making a sole source award for this requirement. See numbered note 26.