Satellite Tag Data Collection

NFFR7400-19-02967RDS ***NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Woods Hole Group, Inc. (A CLS Company) of Lanham, Maryland for assisting the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in collecting data from satellite tags attached to turtles in order to conduct programmatic research. ***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) NMFS requirement for collecting data from satellite tags attached to turtles in order to conduct programmatic research. These ARGOS tags are attached to the turtles and collect data in the form of messages. The ARGOS messages are collected by the satellites from the ARGOS transmitters, then processed by Woods Hole Group (CLS), and then distributed to end users. Woods Hole Group is the only entity that is authorized to collect the data from the tags, analyze the data, and transfer it to end users, because the ARGOS System is operated by Woods Hole (CLS). The period of performance is one year from the date of award. It is contemplated that there will be two option years as well. ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet 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.