Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Thunderstorm 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 to Vaisala, Inc. for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Services (NWS), Office of Observations (OBS) who has a requirement for thunderstorm sensors. The NWS ASOS Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) program is the Primary Inventory Control Agency for Navy ASOS systems worldwide and is required to support the US Navy's operation requirements for their ASOS. ASOS measures local weather conditions and provides those data to a variety of sources for daily, critical and continuous use at over 1000 locations worldwide. ASOS is a significant data contributor in the control of air traffic, provides parameters for climate and weather forecasting, and for emergency managers with situational awareness during climatic events. The US Navy requires thunderstorm detection at all Naval Air Stations. The thunderstorm sensor is designed to specifically sense the electromagnetic signature from lightning strikes while filtering out other electrical noise. In addition, these sensors perform the following functions: detect and report range and bearing of cloud-to-ground lightning; detect and count cloud lightning; and provide critical local lightning information both for meteorological applications as well as threat data to facilitate advance warnings, initiate safety procedures, and isolate equipment with full confidence. Vaisala's thunderstorm sensor is uniquely qualified to provide thunderstorm data to Navy's ASOS systems as these sensors currently contain proprietary algorithms and data strings which integrate with the systems for the proper execution of NWS ASOS functions. The Navy's mission to ASOS is to provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement to safety of flight. 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 600 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, June 14, 2023. The responses must be submitted via e-mail to Margaret Williams, Contract Specialist, at Margaret.williams@noaa.gov and Jennifer Roesner, Contracting Officer, at Jennifer.roesner@noaa.gov.