Modify Meteor Burst Radio

NOTICE OF INTENT The USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) intends to award a sole source, fixed price contract with Maiden Rock Communications (MRC), LLC, located at 586 Double Arrow Road, Seely Lake, MT 59868, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Part 6.302-1(a) (B) (iii) (b) (2), Only One Responsible Source and no other Supplies will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The purpose of this award is to modify the existing radio and to supply the next generation communications equipment for meteor burst master stations. The original meteor burst equipment was developed and maintained by Meteor Communications Corporation (MCC). MCC is the sole provider of the meteor burst technology and has provided MRC limited license capability to Maiden Rock Communications to modify MCC's meteor burst radio. Over the past 30 years the NRCS SNOTEL and SCAN networks have operated on the meteor burst radio technology. SNOTEL is a mandated program by the US Congress. These projects range from helping to monitor and predict the snowmelt runoff and required reservoir storage to crop water uses for NRCS. The equipment requirement includes radios for remote station and radios and associated equipment at master stations. The equipment at the master stations includes radios, transmitters, receivers, synthesizers, 520B meteor burst controller, RF switches, 545b transmitter, and associated software. Most of the equipment used at these master stations was designed and purchased over 20 years ago. Time and the elements have made it necessary to plan for the replacement of these components and the software that runs them. Current technology in components and software will require modification to both the components and software. The modified radio must be compatible to interface with existing MCC equipment that exists under proprietary licenses. This notice is not a request for proposals. No solicitation document is available. The NAICS code is 811213 and the business size is $5 million. Point of contact is James Lowe at 817.509.3520.