Intent To Award A Single Source for Specialized Marine Facility Access and Storage. - Southern California Marine Institute

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Acquisition & Grants Office, acting through NMFS Field Delegates, intends to award a single-source contract to the Southern California Marine Institute located in San Pedro, California, for specialized marine support services under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). This procurement is justified on the grounds that SCMI is the only entity capable of providing an integrated, non-severable package of mission-critical services required by the NMFS West Coast Region, including 24/7 secure storage for a 28-foot center console vessel, a fully equipped dive locker with SCUBA air compressor, 100 square feet of climate-controlled equipment storage with water rinse capability and laundry access, and a 20-square-foot wet laboratory with a sink and hard countertop — all consolidated within a single facility no more than 30 minutes from Long Beach. The contract also includes an affiliate membership to SCMI with reduced privileges and no voting rights, essential for supporting federal operations under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. The period of performance begins on July 1, 2026, with a base year extending through June 30, 2027, and four additional one-year option periods potentially extending the contract through June 30, 2031. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price arrangement with no solicitation issued, and the government has not disclosed any estimated contract value or pricing details. Substantiating documentation from other potential providers may be submitted in writing by May 13, 2026, solely to determine whether competition is feasible, though the government retains sole discretion to proceed non-competitively. Evaluation of any submitted responses will assess technical capability, including the availability and functionality of the required facilities, cost, and demonstrated experience in supporting marine research and environmental monitoring, with technical capability being the primary factor. No set-aside applies, and socioeconomic status or small business certifications are not relevant to this acquisition. The contractor is expected to provide continuous access to all services at the designated San Pedro location, with acceptance taking place on-site by NOAA representatives. There are no formal packaging, marking, or invoicing specifications detailed in the document, and no Contracting Officer’s Representative or Technical Representative has been named, with Heather Mahle serving as the primary contracting officer. The acquisition is based entirely on the unique and exclusive capability of SCMI to fulfill NOAA’s operational needs in a manner no other provider in