Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Ice Free Wind Sensors

This is a notice of intent to sole-source a contract modification pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), only one responsible source, which applies when the supplies/services required by the agency are only available from one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1. The Government intends to award a contract modification to Vaisala, Inc., for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Observation (OBS) who has a requirement for Ice Free Wind Sensors (IFWS). General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) GS-07F030DA/1305M218FNWWG0114, which was awarded pursuant to the procedures set forth in GSA Delivery Order under FAR Part 8.4 Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) on August 6, 2018, have a shared maximum ordering value in the amount of $2,565,762.40 with a five (5) year ordering period that extends from August 6, 2018 through August 5, 2023. This contract will be modified to increase the shared maximum ordering value. NWS Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) has used the Vaisala WMT700 Ice Free Wind Sensor (IFWS) as the sole manufacturer and provider of the WMT700 IFWS. The WMT700 IFWS contains proprietary algorithms and data strings that are currently embedded and integrated into the NWS ASOS, providing digitized signal processing of surface wind direction and wind speed measurements. The WMT700 IFWS meets specific Air Traffic Organization (ATO-T) requirements for ASOS and has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The WMT700 was subject to an estimated two-year compatibility test process at the NWS Sterling Field Support Center and was operationally tested at ASOS sites and the wind sensors are currently operating in field ASOS units for the past four (4) years. Vaisala is uniquely qualified to provide these supplies to NWS ASOS units. They are currently fulfilling the requirements and are the only known supplier capable of performing the end-to-end requirement in the timeframe needed for the upcoming shoreline imagery and lidar surveys funded by both special interest actions and annual appropriations. This action will provide the NWS with the required sensors to complete IFWS deployment and be ready to issue spares to the NWS Regional Weather Forecast Offices (WFO). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, and the business size standard for this NAICS code is 500 employees. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, all submittals received by the due date set forth in this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement is based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses to this notice must be provided within 15 calendar days from the date of this notice. Companies who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the requirement. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the requirement. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirement. Failure to submit such documentation will result in the Government proceeding as previously stated. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time, November 23, 2022. The responses must be submitted via e-mail to Michael Williams, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov and Jennifer Roesner, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov.