Sole Source Intent - NOAA Research Associates Program Support

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20002 to establish a Cost Reimbursement type contract for post-doctoral Research Associates in support of NOAA's congressional mandated scientific research. NAS accomplishes this requirement through NAS's National Research Council (NRC) Post-Doctoral Residential Research Associateship Program (RAP) to which NOAA is a participating agency. The NRC has conducted the Research Associateship Programs in cooperation with sponsoring federal laboratories and other research organizations approved for participation since 1954. Through a national competition, the NRC recommends and makes Research Associateship awards to outstanding scientists and engineers, at the postdoctoral and senior levels, for tenure as guest researchers at the participating laboratories in NOAA. NOAA requires the the use of the NRC RAP to fulfill its scientific research mission. NAS is uniquely positioned to convene special panels for review of competitive applications to the RAP and to provide overall management and oversight of the RAP. Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(5), and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-5(c)(1)(iii)(B), NAS is in a unique position because of the long established status of the National Academy of Sciences (the Academy) as a noncompetitive source of scientific research and policy advice to the Government which began with its creation by Congress in 1863 (36 U.S.C. Sec. 253). This special status and relationship with the Government was reconfirmed by Executive Order (E.O.) 2859, May 11, 1918, as amended by E.O. 10668, May 10, 1956. The noncompetitive status of the Academy was most recently formally affirmed in E.O. 12832 on January 19, 1993. This order cites the special relationship of the Academy to the Government and its unique capacity to marshal scientific expertise of the highest caliber in order to provide independent and objective science. Specifically, E.O. 12832 states that " When a department or agency of the executive branch of the Government determines that the Academy, because of its unique qualifications, is the only source that can provide the measure of expertise, independence, objectivity, and audience acceptance necessary to meet the department's or agency's program requirements, acquisition of services by the Academy may be obtained on a noncompetitive basis if otherwise in accordance with applicable law and regulations." The Academy has the unique ability to provide the measure of expertise, independence, and objectivity necessary to meet the program requirements for the NRC RAP. The Academy's uniqueness was recognized by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council, which included a specific reference to the Academy in FAR 6.302-5(c)(1)(iii)(B), which provides that certain limitations on sole source awards made in connection with a specific provision of the FAR do not apply to "any contract requiring the Academy to investigate, examine, or experiment upon any subject of science or art of significance to an executive agency and to report on those matters to the Congress or any agency of the Federal Government". Negotiations with NAS are expected to result in an Cost Reimbursement contract with a period of performance of one year with four (4) one-year options. This contract will provide NOAA with independent and objective science to further the NOAA and U.S. Government research mission. This sole source is permitted per FAR 6.302-5(c)(1)(iii)(B). This is not a solicitation. A copy of the solicitation has not yet been produced. If contract award results from a Justification for Other then Full and Open Competition (JOFOC), a copy of the JOFOC will posted at this site. Written inquiries must reference requisition number NFFP7600-15-00506.