Standalone Component of Eddy Flux Tower

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation, Notice of Intent. The Midwest Area for the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture intends to issue an award to Li-Cor, Inc., 4421 Superior Street, Lincoln, NE 68504. This is a sole source procurement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a requirement of the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit (CSWQRU), MWA, USDA at Columbia, Missouri for a Standalone Component of an Eddy Flux Tower. These towers are standardized across a number of sites in the Long-Term Agro-ecosystem Research (LTAR) network. The Standalone Component of an Eddy Flux Tower is only available through LiCor Inc. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Interested parties should submit written (mail or email) responses including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement and must be received in this office within 10 calendar days after publication of this notice. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the Government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with Li-Cor, Inc. without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of other than full and open competition for the proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. JUSTIFICATION 1. Agency and Contracting Activity (FAR 6.303-2(a)(1)). USDA, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, Midwest Area, Columbia, MO location. 2. Nature/Description of Action(s) (FAR 6.303-2(a)(2)). a. This contracting action is to obtain a Standalone Component of an Eddy Flux Tower to be used for research purposes. 3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 6.303-2(a)(3)). The requirement is to purchase a Standalone Component of an Eddy Flux Tower, which is a highly specialized assembly of sophisticated instrumentation and control equipment. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority (FAR 6.303-2(a)(4)). 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1. The supplies required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies will satisfy the Agency requirements. 5. Demonstration of Contractor=s Unique Qualifications (FAR 6.303-2(a)(5)). a. Only one responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy Agency Requirements (FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)) (1) FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) states, AWhen the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or for DOD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for.@ (2) The requirement is to purchase a standalone component of an Eddy Flux Tower, which is a highly specialized assembly of sophisticated instrumentation and control equipment. The Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in Columbia, Missouri operates the Central Mississippi River Basin (CMRB) site in the ARS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network. The LTAR network is comprised of eighteen research sites across the United States, and it is necessary that all sites