Telonics Whale Tags

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD), Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Telonics Inc., 932 East Impala Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide various split beam transducers. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) requires ARGOS/GPS/VHF tags for use in the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network, or Atlantic Network. These entanglements are often severe causing serious injuries or even mortalities unless disentanglement intervention is conducted. All of the tags currently in the Atlantic Network (~30 tags) are manufactured by Telonics and are manufactured specific to the Agency's technological needs. Introducing a new tag to the network would present a tremendous financial burden upon the Government by requiring all existing equipment and personnel to require updating and training, respectively. The Atlantic Network, many of which are volunteers, have been supplied with tracking equipment tuned to the Telonics tags. The startup procedure, operation, shutdown, integration to disentanglement equipment, trainings have all been standardized with efficiency in mind for network members that may not have a lot of tracking or disentanglement experience. If a new tag was introduced, all the protocols would have to be expanded, new trainings would have to be conducted for close to 100 network members and equipment costs (new receivers would have to be purchased) would increase. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334220 with a business size standard of 750. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. A statement of capabilities must be received by 10:00 A.M. EDT, July 21, 2015. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to provide the required services. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to Stacy.Fullerton@noaa.gov by 10:00 A.M. EDT, July 21, 2015.