Tsunami Program

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE ON A SOLE-SOURCE BASIS This is a notice of intent to negotiate a sole-source contract pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), only one responsible source, which applies when the supplies/services required by the agency are only available from one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Government intends to negotiate a contract with University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Seismic Network (PRSN), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS)/Tsunami Program has a requirement for maintaining and improving the tsunami warning system in the Caribbean. The PRSN maintains a partnership with NOAA, the University of Puerto Rico, the Government of Puerto Rico and the State Emergency Management Agency to continue to operate with on-site personnel 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the benefit of NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers (TWC), as well as residents and visitors of Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and adjoining regions. Work includes: 1.1. Tsunami Monitoring Infrastructure and External Support 1.1.1. Seismic Instrumentation The contractor shall operate and maintain the existing network of 24 broadband stations and 4 short period stations. These stations are located throughout Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, and Eastern Dominican Republic. The data from these stations are used to determine the location and magnitude of an earthquake, and hence, the possibility of a tsunami. Continued and effective acquisition and analysis of data from over 120 seismic stations from the Caribbean and adjoining regions shall also be maintained. Acquisition and maintenance of equipment and materials shall continue for the seismic stations contributing to the Tsunami Warning System in order to continually improve TWC detection thresholds and quality of the data, reduce data latencies and gaps, and improve data storage capabilities. 1.1.2. Sea Level Instrumentation The contractor shall continue operation and maintenance of the existing 6 tsunami-capable sea level gauges in Puerto Rico. These stations shall meet the NOAA standards for measuring tsunami and other short term events (winter and tropical storms) as well as long term trends (sea level rise). Maintenance is to be provided to the stations, which shall include equipment and communications improvements for the sea level stations to ensure the delivery of a continuous high rate of sea level data to the TWCs. Currently, four (4) tide gauge stations transmit data every minute directly to PRSN. This two-way communication link shall be established to an additional station in 2015. Recalibration and resurveying of sea level gauges shall be performed in accordance with NOAA's National Ocean Service standards. Continuation of online sea level data availability will be maintained and improved as necessary. The contractor shall continue implementation of an on-line tool to trace the sea level data availability in the Caribbean region, which shall also be used to determine harmonics. 1.1.3. GPS Instrumentation and New Tsunami Detection Technologies The contractor shall operate and maintain GPS instrumentation sites (currently 12 permanent and 2 mobile) for the PRSN earthquake and tsunami monitoring system in support of TWC operations. This GPS instrumentation shall complement earthquake monitoring and tsunami early-warning systems by working with seismic detection and sea-level monitoring networks to quickly and correctly determine the magnitude of large earthquakes, and to detect absolute sea-level changes before, during, and after large earthquakes. The contractor shall ensure GPS technology is kept up to date in order to complement current earthquake and tsunami monitoring systems. This includes pursuing real-time GPS monitoring and online data availability. The contractor shall investigate new technologies to improve tsunami detection capabilities that may be employed within the Caribbean, and eventually elsewhere. The contractor shall also investigate the use of new technologies (i.e. HF radars) to improve the tsunami detection capabilities. 1.1.4. Communications and Operational Infrastructure The contractor shall operate, maintain, and upgrade as necessary, communications and operational infrastructure to ensure interoperability between the PRSN and the TWCs, as well as Weather Forecast Office (WFO) San Juan. The contractor shall continue to support NOAA Net (OpsNet) and meet all the NOAA Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) requirements. The contactor shall also ensure tsunami information protocols are kept up to date by coordinating with the Puerto Rico State Emergency Management Administration. 1.1.5. Real-time Seismic and Sea-level Data Sharing in the Caribbean The contractor shall collaborate with member states in the region to facilitate training on, and maintenance of, seismic and sea-level equipment, as well as data exchange systems. These systems, such as the core seismic network for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) Caribbean Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System (CARIBE EWS), include 134 broadband stations in the region (see the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Caribbean Virtual Seismic Network at (http://www.iris.edu/vnets?vnet=_CARIBE-EWS). Collaboration shall be accomplished via participation in regional meetings, workshops, and on-site training. In addition, an online tool to provide real-time latency shall be upgraded for the creation of monthly reports. 1.2. Activity 2 - Staffing for 24x7 Data Services The contractor shall provide continued support of 24x7 data services for the Caribbean to ensure the quality and availability of the seismic and sea level observational data in order to provide timely and precise earthquake information and tsunami warning products for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) and other agencies such as the US Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center (USGS/NEIC). Contractor responsibilities shall include: developing and implementing new operational procedures for the observation, processing, and dissemination services for tsunami events; locating earthquakes and producing and disseminating the appropriate tsunami products during shifts; maintaining and improving web services, ensuring availability and quality of the seismic and sea level data acquired and processed; and reporting any problems to the corresponding authorities, including the staff of PTWC and NTWC. 1.3. Activity 3 - Facilities Maintenance The contractor shall continuously maintain telephone and satellite communications and shall upgrade them as needed to ensure continuity of telecommunications capabilities when public and advertised communication lines become saturated. The contractor shall maintain computer and online resources to ensure continuous uptime to include high impact events. Materials, equipment, and furniture shall be acquired as needed, and maintained to effectively support operations. 1.4. Activity 4 - Training Services The contractor shall implement a training program with the objective of improving and coordinating tsunami monitoring and warning capabilities. This includes training for: 1) technical personnel that will involve inviting experts to give training sessions in Puerto Rico as well as having its staff participate in training opportunities; and 2) external training in the Caribbean region to support the maintenance and operations of regional seismic and sea level networks. The contractor shall submit a tentative training schedule for review and approval by NOAA/NWS. It shall show locations planned for training, expected invitees, and estimated costs. The period of performance for this request includes a base year starting on or about July 1, 2015 and 1 option year. Responses to this notice must be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this notice. Vendors who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the requirement. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the requirement. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirement. Failure to submit such documentation will result in the Government proceeding as previously stated. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this advertisement or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 12:00 P.M. local time, July 20, 2015. The responses shall be submitted via e-mail to Shalisha Harris, Contract Specialist, at shalisha.harris@noaa.gov.