SNOW SCALES

This notice is being published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.101 requiring the dissemination of information for proposed contract actions. This is a special notice to announce our intent to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority outlined in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonable available (e.g. urgency, exclusive licensing agreement, brand name or industrial mobilization). The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) intends to issue a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to Unearth 2280 Grass Valley Hwy 219, Auburn, CA 95603-2536 a small business under NAICS code 334513 (with a size standard of 500 employees) for (8) 19439 Snow Scale SSG 3000 4-20 mA.. NWCC's mission is "To lead the development and transfer of water and climate information and technology which support natural resource conservation," with a vision of the future as "A globally recognized source for a top quality spatial snow, water, climate, and hydrologic network of information and technology." The functions of the National Water and Climate Center are natural resource planning support, data acquisition and management, technology innovation, partnerships and joint ventures, as well as technology transfer. The NRCS install s, operates and maintains an extensive, automated system designed to collect snowpack and related climatic data in the Western United States and Alaska. This system, called SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) operates approximately 800 remote sites in mountain snowpack zones. Congress mandated NRCS (then the Soil Conservation Service) in the mid l 930's "to measure snowpack in the mountains of the West and forecast the water supply." SNOTEL now provides reliable and efficiently collected data needed to produce water supply forecasts and to support the resource management activities of NRCS and others. The modem SNOTEL network also serves climate studies, air and water quality investigations, climate changes, and endangered species habitat. The high-elevation watershed locations, broad coverage, and real-time operation of the network provide important data to researchers, river and reservoir managers, emergency managers for natural disasters such as floods and droughts, and for power generation. To this end, scientific and electronic equipment, parts and supplies are required to properly conduct these studies and experiments. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a need for fluidless snow water equivalency sensors to replace the currently used fluid snow pillow in the SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) network. Unearth provides a fluidless option to the snow pillow. Currently this is the only option that would be considered within specification for a SNOTEL station. The documents included with the solicitation call for supplies that are peculiar to one contractor. This written justification provides approval for limiting competition to a single source as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The SGG Snow Scale is a precision Snow Water Equivalent measuring device which is developed for quick and easy installation and implementation in the field. A broad outer frame of plates minimizes the effects of ice bridging commonly experienced late in the measurement season. The use of lightweight aluminum materials minimizes thermal resistance improving heat flow throughout the device for better emulation of natural conditions. The working principle of the SGG is based on the measuring principle of load cells. The sensor consists of seven 2.8 x 2.4 m and perforated plates each plate of the size of 0.8 x 1.4 m. The center panel and six surrounding panels allow water to percolate through the sensor. Water percolation minimizes thermal differences between the sensor and surrounding panels act to buffer the center panel, where SWE is measured, from stress concentrations that develop along the perimeter of the sensor. This system allows accurate measurement even during periods of rapid snow settlement following large snow accumulations. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement demonstrating the ability to provide the requested items or exception to the intent to purchase on a sole source basis, which shall be considered by the Government if received by Saturday 19 September 2015 at 03:00 p.m., local time, Fort Worth, Texas (Central Time). Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirement. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NRCS will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this synopsis. Please email Darin Wilson at george.wilson@ftw.usda.gov with responses or questions regarding this requirement. This notice will close on Saturday 19 September 2015 at 03:00 p.m Central Time.