Automated Flight Following

Synopsis: Notice of Intent to Award A Sole-Source Contract Announcement Number: NMAN6000-18-01691 Project Title: Sky Connect Automated Flight Following (AFF) The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition (OMAO), Accountability, and Analysis Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Honeywell Aerospace, of Redmond, Washington, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide one (1) year Sky Connect Automated Flight Following (AFF) for nine (9) NOAA Aircraft and Iridium Satellite Phone Service for six (6) NOAA Aircraft. The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) operates and maintains a fleet of light, medium and heavy aircraft which are utilized for various atmospheric and environmental missions. Each of these aircraft is equipped with a Sky Connect brand Flight tracking device, which when properly configured provides aircraft flight status information via satellite data link which is then utilized by an Internet based utility to display real-time information as to the aircraft status. The combination of the Sky Connect device installed on each of the NOAA aircraft, and the Web based utility, combine to provide Automated Flight Following Services which are utilized by NOAA management and staff to monitor aircraft and project status. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source. The sole source determination is based on the requirement of NOAA's AOC to have 24/7 flight following and phone services compatible with the installed Honeywell Sky Connect flight equipment. The equipment currently on AOC aircraft is Sky Connect which was bought-out by EMS Aviation for which a novation agreement is in place. Recently, EMS was bought by Honeywell. The Sky Connect devices on the NOAA aircraft are configured to operate only with the Honeywell proprietary Internet display utilities. The cost and time involved in switching out the aircraft installed Sky Connect device is prohibitive and cannot be performed within the limited window of aircraft availability. Honeywell is the only responsible source that can provide the proprietary Sky Connect Tracker AFF and Sky Connect Flightdeck with Tracker AFF services. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334511 with a business size standard of 1250. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on FedBizOpps. Although a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Alicha Harris (Alicha.Harris@noaa.gov). All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: Project Title. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:30 AM EST on June 29, 2018. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. The solicitation will remain open from June 28, 2018 to June 29, 2018.