Telonics Satellite Buoy with Customized Floats and Annual Rebattery and Maintenance

Announcement Number: 3015MF24Q0052 Project Title: Telonics Satellite Buoy with Customized Floats and Annual Rebattery and Maintenance The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR), intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Telonics, Inc., for Telonics platform transmitter terminals (PTT) with customized floats and annual rebattery and maintenance services to provide real-time monitoring of inshore water temperature. This requirement will enhance NOAA's Deepwater Horizon Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project's preparedness for sea turtle cold stunning events. The required work scope and deliverables will permit OPR to acquire data and perform analysis through seasonal monitoring of water temperatures in regions where seasonal hypothermic stun events of sea turtles occur. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334220, Radio and Television Broadcasting and wireless communications equipment manufacturing, with a business size standard of 1,250 employees. Sole Source Justification Telonics Inc. is the only manufacturer capable of providing a device that is buoyant, configurable, and portable Argos platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) that can collect and transmit environmental data in a consistent format. The PTT tags provided by Telonics, are compatible with the Argos satellite data transmission services which NOAA uses across multiple Line Offices. These tags will transmit the data needed to support the restoration project listed above. The Telonics TMT-462-3 tag units with modified floats are designed to collect and transmit environmental data, including water temperature, through the Argos system. Transmitted data are processed and converted to tabular format using the Telonics Data Converter (TDC). They are able to operate for extended periods, lasting up to 6 months. Telonics tags offer continuous data collection and transmission capabilities, with the ability to collect data at 5-minute intervals and transmit data around the clock. The data transmitted from these tags can be customized to meet the data collection and transmission preferences and can be easily integrated into our existing data processing systems. The modified floats are enlarged to increase the buoyancy of the transmitter ensuring the unit's antenna remains above the surface of the water during rough surf conditions. If the transmitter is under water the tags will not be able to transmit data. The floats are approximately 32 circumference. The float is not separate from the tag. Additionally, these PTTs are designed for easy retrieval and maintenance for refurbishment before being deployed in subsequent seasons. The devices require annual maintenance requirements for the Telonics tags involve repair, refurbishment, and battery replacement to ensure optimal performance upon redeployment. The transmitters offered by other vendors are not designed for continuous transmission of data from the water surface for months at a time. Shorter deployments would be costly and logistically challenging. Our scope of work requires larger battery capacity resulting in larger units which are only manufactured by Telonics. The Telonics transmitters are designed for annual battery replacement which significantly reduces the cost of reusing transmitters (typically < 10% of cost). Other vendor products are sealed in epoxy and require refurbishment or rehousing in order to replace batteries for subsequent deployments; this process is more costly (typically 50% of cost). The temperature sensor in the Telonics tags is relocated to a position lower in the tag housing to ensure it is providing near-surface water temperature as part of the customizable features. This near-surface water temperature will allow for more accurate data from the tags. The additional need to modify the flotation of the tags will keep these closer to the surface. This option has not been identified as available by other vendors. The flotation component of these tags is built into the tag and provided as one unit. If the transmitter is under water, the tags will not be able to transmit data. The greatest risk of submergence would be during poor weather conditions (e.g., during the passage of cold fronts), however this is when most near to real time temperature data is necessary. The increased weight from high winds and strong currents can submerge the tags lower into the water. The enlarged float increases the tag's buoyancy of the transmitter ensuring the unit's antenna remains above the surface of the water during rough surf conditions. The tags provided by Telonics, are compatible with the Argos satellite data transmission services which NOAA uses across multiple Line Offices. Transmitters must transmit data through the Argos satellite system as transmitter deployment locations are not covered by cellular networks. Introducing new transmitters and satellite tracking service to the program would present a tremendous financial burden upon the Government by requiring all existing equipment and personnel to require updating and training, respectively. The startup procedure, operation, shutdown, integration to equipment and trainings have been standardized with efficiency in mind for program staff. New software would need to be purchased and installed that is compatible with another vendors' tags and data configurations. If a new transmitter device were introduced all the protocols would have to be expanded, new trainings would have to be conducted which would increase costs beyond the funding to support the work. Special Notice This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities. However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to natasha.thieman@noaa.gov. 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 response 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 the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EDT on June 29, 2024. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: 3015MF24Q0052 Project Title: Telonics Satellite Buoy with Customized Floats and Annual Rebattery and Maintenance It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure that any submission transmitted to the specified Government representative(s) is received prior to the due date specified herein. Offerors are highly encouraged to contact the Government representative(s) specified above prior to the solicitation's stated time and date for receipt of offers to ensure the Government has received the submission. Offers received after the date and time specified in this solicitation may be excluded from consideration. DOC/NOAA/NMFS/OPR 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 not 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 Unique Entity ID (UEI). A UEI may be acquired free of charge by registering at http:// https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration. The notice will remain open from 6/14/2024 to 6/29/2024.