Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology Products For Fish And Wildlife Research

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT PLEASE NOTE THAT NO CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED REGARDING THIS NOTICE. ANY INQUIRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO: MICHAEL DRUMMOND, CONTRACT SPECIALIST, AT MICHAEL.DRUMMOND@NOAA.GOV National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), hereby gives public notice of the intent to negotiate a sole-source, five-year Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract pursuant to the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (including brand name) under 41 U.S.C. 1901, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) up to $7M as authorized by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a), which allows for "sole source (including brand name) acquisitions." NOAA's NMFS is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat. It provides vital services for the nation: productive and sustainable fisheries, safe sources of seafood, the recovery and conservation of protected resources, and healthy ecosystems --- all backed by sound science and an ecosystem-based approach to management. The equipment to be purchased serves NMFS's missions by providing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology products for fish and wildlife research, which is only available through Biomark, Inc. (Biomark). Biomark is a worldwide leader in such RFID tag technology. NMFS requires Biomark's commercially available custom Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detection systems, as well as tagging and data collection tables. Biomark has played a major role in designing and developing fabrication techniques to reliably operate PIT tag antennas underwater (a major breakthrough in evaluation and monitoring technique), which has been an on-going requirement for NMFS. Some examples of Biomark's specific equipment that NMFS requires include Biomark FS3001 transceivers and associated power supplies; Biomark FS3001 PIT tag antennas; Biomark exciter cables that will be permanently mounted in hydroelectric facilities operated and installed by agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and extremely high-power RFID detection transceivers. Biomark's equipment serves NOAA/NMFS missions by providing specialized and proprietary technology only available through Biomark. No other businesses provide this specific scientific equipment with its technical capabilities, and there are no licensed vendors representing Biomark. Responses to this notice must be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this notice. Vendors 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 proof of possessing permits and 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 8:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time), Wednesday, 17 January 2018. The responses must be submitted via e-mail to Michael Drummond, Contract Specialist, at michael.drummond@noaa.gov, or via hard copy to Michael Drummond, Contract Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division, Western Regional Center, Building 1, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. NOTHING HEREIN SHOULD BE MISCONSTRUED AS A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS, QUOTES OR BIDS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE OR WILL BE ISSUED. The National Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 334513, and the size standard is 750 Employees. The provisions and clauses to be incorporated in any solicitation and proposed Firm-Fixed-Price contract shall be those currently in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-96, published 6 November 2017. (End of Notice of Intent)