Intent to Award Sole Source - Thermal Infrared Camera

The USDA, ARS, Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Laboratory, Weslaco, Texas intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) and 6.302 with FLIR Systems, Inc. 25 Esquire Rd., North Billerica, MA for a thermal infrared camera. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency's requirement. The thermal infrared camera will be carried on an aircraft to measure surface temperature for ET estimation and pest detection in our CRIS project. We need a thermal camera that has high spatial resolution, fast response time, and high sensitivity and is compatible with our existing airborne visible and near-infrared imaging systems. The SC660 has a high definition 640 X 480 infrared detector. The SC660 is a microbolometer based camera that has a 6 millisecond detector response time. The benefit for us is to eliminate poor images due to movement of the aircraft. The SC660 is the most sensitive uncooled infrared camera on the market. At normal frames rates the system achieves 45 milliKelvin sensitivity. The SC660 allows an array of lenses to be attached to the 24 degree FOV lens to achieve a comparable field of view to our existing cameras. The following is the minimum specifications for the Thermal Infrared Camera: 1. Uncooled 640'480 IR detector array 2. Spectral range: 7.5 to 13?m 3. Thermal Sensitivity ?45mK 4. Real-time radiometric storage to built-in RAM 5. 1-8 times continuous zoom with pan 6. Thermal fusion: above, below and interval 7. Laser locator with automatic alignment 8. Large high resolution 5.6" flip-out LCD 9. Built-in 3.2 Mpixel visual camera 10. Temperature Range: -40'C to 1500'C 11. 1%, 1'C accuracy 12. Full Radiometric Real-time Video to PC 13. Automatic GPS Data 14. Text and Voice Annotation 15. Optional Wireless Remote Operation The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact above not later than 3:00pm CST on March 28, 2011. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. No RFQ will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent. Interested parties may submit any information for consideration by the Government to Michael Douglas, Contract Specialist at the email address listed above with the solicitation number referenced in the subject line.