R -- Upper Air Observation Services for the National Weather Service

***NOAAs Acquisition & Grants Office, Mountain Region Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), with the incumbent contractor, Short Wave Weather of Del Rio, Texas, for the continuation of upper air observations in Del Rio, Texas. This is an out-of-scope modification to extend the performance period under the current contract RA1330-03-CN-0011. The purpose of the 8 month extension (April 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008) is to act as a bridge until a new competitively awarded contract can be executed. ***This contract provides the National Weather Service (NWS) with Upper Air Observations in Del Rio, Texas. This service is performed by certified weather observers. The radiosonde observations gathered by the NWS upper air contract station in Del Rio, Texas are extremely critical for weather forecasts, in particular, for specific identification of life threatening severe weather potential in the Central Texas area, including the threat of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, damaging winds and/or large hail. In addition, the upper air data attained from Del Rio is essential for determining environmental steering currents for hurricane track forecasts and in the initiation of forecast numerical model predictions. ***The current contractor, Short Wave Weather, is the only contractor who possesses the immediate local and specific operational knowledge and readily available trained staff who can provide a seamless continuation of this critical upper air data for the NWS until such time that a new contractor can be selected and trained to assume upper air operations. ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide services that fully meet the Government?s requirements may submit substantiation 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. Contractors interested in being notified directly about the follow on competitive five year contract (base plus four 1-year options) should send an email to Susan Labovitz, Contract Specialist, at susan.labovitz@noaa.gov.