Intent to Sole Source-Stevens Hydra Probe

NOTICE OF INTENT This notice is being published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.101 requiring the dissemination of information for proposed contract actions. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC) intends to issue a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc., 12067 NE Glenn Widing Drive, Suite 106, Portland, Oregon 97220, for the purchase of Hydra Probes designated for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Snow Survey Data Collection Office located in Denver, Colorado. The proposed contract action is for commercial items for which the Government intends to solicit in accordance with Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b), Only one source reasonably available and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. It is the intent of the FPAC Business Center to purchase Hydra probes for new NRCS Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) Sites and the replacement of existing malfunctioning sensors. Part # 70030-100; Hydra Probe, 0-2.5V, with 100ft cable, Analog The Snow Survey Data Collection Office of NRCS has the responsibility of forecasting water runoff and supplies for municipal and agricultural uses. Snow Survey monitors the winter snowpack for forecasting and projecting annual streamflow. The probe is a valuable tool for helping to monitor and determine the drought conditions in mountainous areas. It will be used to monitor soil moisture which aids in the forecasting of expected snowmelt runoff required for reservoir storage and crop water uses. The Hydra Probe is part of the Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) and SCAN data collection standard soil moisture and precipitation sensors. This information is utilized by states and various governmental agencies to determine associated drought indicators. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a business size standard of 500. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can provide the required products, it may submit a statement of capabilities. Capability statements must display sufficient detail and evidence to determine if the party has the ability to provide the required products. The statement of capabilities must be furnished in writing and e-mailed to Vickie Grant, Vickie.grant@usda.gov by September 9, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The government will not pay for information received in response to this announcement. 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. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. This is a notice and a solicitation will not be issued. Oral communications will not be accepted in response to this notice.