B -- B-Collabortive Comparison Study/Testing of the CO2 Measurements Systems

The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed price contract to the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science. This contract focuses on acquiring highly precise and cost-effective multi-carbon system parameter sensors for deployment across various marine platforms, including research vessels, volunteer observing ships, moorings, drifters, and gliders. These sensors are critical for advancing NOAA's Global Carbon Cycle Program by providing accurate measurements of key parameters such as pCO2, pH, TCO2, and total alkalinity (Talk), with a precision target of approximately 1.0 microatmospheres for pCO2. The government believes that only one responsible source can supply the required instrument for testing to meet their stringent requirements. While this is not a request for competitive proposals, the agency will consider any submissions received within 45 days from the posting date of the synopsis. The final decision to forgo competition lies solely with the government. This solicitation, identified by number AB133R-03-RP-0091, was posted on June 12, 2003, under NAICS code 541380, and represents the only official notice regarding this acquisition. The contract will be managed out of NOAA’s Seattle office.