B -- Intent to Sole Source the Development of a Multiplexing FDX-B PIT-Tag Transceiver System

This publication serves as notice of intent to procure services for the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) on a sole source basis with Digital Angel Corporation in accordance with the authority of 41 U. S. C. 253 (c)(1) only one responsible source, for the development of a replacement FDX-B PIT-tag transceiver that can operate multiple antennas for in-stream applications. The Government intends to acquire services using FAR Part 15. All prospective vendors must have (1) experience designing FDX-B PIT-tag transceivers for fisheries applications, (2) experience designing multiplexing PIT-tag transceivers, and (3) experience designing PIT-tag antennas for stream applications. The requirements under this contract consist of the following tasks: (1) Develop a document that describes the overall multiplexing transceiver including functional level descriptions of both the master controller and an individual antenna controller node. This document will include a description of all of the features of the multiplexing transceiver system as well as all of the host interfaces. The deliverable shall be a document describing the system design within one month after a contract is issued. (2) Development of the Antenna Controller Node - Functional Engineering Prototype: The contractor will design and develop a ?stand alone? ACN. Each ACN will be able to operate independently and provide a serial output that contains received tag information. The design will include all aspects of the ACNs: hardware (both analog and digital), software, communication protocols, and the design criteria for the antennas that will be attached to them. Each ACN must minimally be able to operate a 20 ft x 4 ft antenna. The water-tight enclosure for an ACN will also be developed, but not prototyped. The deliverable will be a functional engineering prototype of a stand-alone CAN without a water-tight enclosure, and will include a functioning 20 ft x 4 ft antenna. The deliverable will be required within five months after award of the contract. (3) Development of the Master Controller - Functional Engineering Prototype: The contractor will design and develop the MC. During this phase the MC hardware and software will be developed including the communication protocols to the ACNs and to the host. At this point, the software will include the basic tag-recording function as well as limited reporting and diagnostic capabilities. The deliverable will be a functional engineering prototype of a system with one MC and two ACNs (and their antennas), and will include prototype water-tight enclosures. This deliverable will be required 6 months after item (2) above has been accomplished. (4) Final design completion with delivery of a complete system: The contractor will incorporate additional reporting and diagnostic capabilities to the system. In addition, the hardware for the ACN or MC will be modified as necessary. The deliverable will be one complete transceiver system that includes one MC and a minimum of six ACNs in their final enclosures. Furthermore, it will include the full complement of diagnostic capabilities and be delivered with the different types of manuals (e.g., user and maintenance) requested by the fisheries community in the requirements document. Delivery of the complete system is required within 5 months after item (3) above has been accomplished. The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. The NAICS Code is 541710 with a size standard of 500 employees. This notice represents the only official notice of this solicitation. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, all submittals received by the due set forth in this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All interested concerns must submit documentation in writing demonstrating their capability, expertise, qualifications, and experience to perform the necessary work to Loren.Frei@noaa.gov no later than August 13, 2007. See Numbered Note 22. All contractors doing business with the Government are now required to be registered in CCR please access the following web site:http//www.ccr.gov. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award, all offerors must have a Dunn & Bradstreet Number. A Dunn & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dunn & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505.