NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

****NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) with Aerial Imaging Solutions LLC to purchase an APH 22 & APH-28 hexacopter System with a ground Station with options to purchase additional units. ****The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), need to purchase both an APH-22 and an APH-28 hexacopter System with a ground Stations. . These systems must be completely compatible with the existing electronics and support equipment currently in the AFSC Fleet. The APH-22 & 28 hexacopters are compatible with the existing APH-22 & APH 28 ground stations and are the only ones able to communicate video, telemetry and system control status in the same format. It is critical that the equipment be interchangeable and accessible to all programs within AFSC needing to use the equipment. With the current APH-22's & 28's on hand, as well as all of the existing replacement parts, extra batteries, and extra radio controllers it is critical that there are exact systems to quickly repair or replace items in the event of a failure while in the field. Also, The Aerial Imaging solutions aircraft come with unique proprietary software. The sampling software utilized by AIS and the APH-22 & 28 that controls the imaging system is the only one that will work with the existing applications currently within the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Also this aircraft that Aerial Imaging Solutions has written the proprietary firmware now provided with the flight controller and navigation controller boards that enable these systems to operate from shore, or from boats or ships. In addition the gimbals and laser altimeter interface are unique to Aerial Imaging solutions aircraft. The cetacean research that Alaska Fisheries Science Center is conducting is undertaken from small vessels in remote locations in Alaska and often times in harsh or extreme weather conditions. There are no other vendors making consumer level aircraft for the marine environment usage that meet these specific mission requirements for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the items as described that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.