Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole-Source Contract - Sexton Corporation Underwater Cameras AFSC

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service - Alaska Fisheries Science Center - intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); with the Sexton Corporation, for the procurement of three (3) underwater camera systems which provide imaging during bottom and midwater trawls conducted in Alaskan waters. Researchers with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center utilize bottom and midwater trawls to assess populations of fish species and movements of those populations. This analytical work is conducted directly in support of Executive Order 14276 – “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness”.

Sole Source Justification

The sole source determination is based on the need of NMFS researchers to accurately obtain information related to growth and movement of commercially valuable fish species. Researchers can then use this data to make recommendations for the expansion of some and reduction of other active fishing areas to support healthy fish populations. Sexton underwater cameras utilize an open-source image acquisition protocol which is compatible with existing data analysis software in use by AFSC research teams. AFSC researchers have developed extensive image analysis and visualization pipelines to better ascertain numbers and species of fish in groups sighted during trawl surveys.

Special Notice

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment or service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation 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. Responses can be sent via e-mail to jason.jenks@noaa.gov.  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.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1600 PM EST on Aug 13, 2026.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Incomplete statements do not warrant consideration. Phone calls in regard to this notice will not be accepted.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:
Announcement Number: REQUIREMENTS-26-3133
Project Title: NOAA NMFS MACE Underwater Camera upgrade FY26

NMFS’s AFSC Operations, Management, and Information Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company unless registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a valid Tax ID number, Cage Code, and obtain a government-provided Unique Entity Identifier, which is available for free through SAM.gov.