INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: FY25 Services for Seabird instruments at OCNMS

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc., using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to one (1) year of annual evaluation, calibration, maintenance, repair and re-certification of the Sea-Bird Instruments oceanographic sensors that measure conductivity, temperature, depth and dissolved oxygen. Supporting rationale.

On an annual basis, OCNMS requires its mooring instruments to be serviced by a licensed Sea-Bird Electronics firm. They inspect, calibrate, repair and re-certify instruments for oceanographic monitoring, in preparation for deployment the following season. These were manufactured by Sea-Bird Electronics Company and are used annually by NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary for monitoring ocean conditions.

The oceanographic equipment owned by NOAA OCNMS was purchased from Sea-Bird Electronics and has been maintained by them annually since 2001. Sea-Bird - as the original equipment manufacturer - is the only responsible party to have the requisite equipment and techniques to properly open, inspect, repair, pressure-test, and close these expensive instruments. Market research indicates that Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. is the only current vendor able to meet the agency’s needs for this requirement.

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 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a business size standard of 600 employees. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on the Contract Opportunities website.

The determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, all responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which may be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EST on August 11, 2025. 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 be submitted to the Contract Specialist, Chelsea Vera, Chelsea.vera@noaa.gov and have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: 141014-25-0071. This notice will remain open from July 25, 2025 to August 11, 2025.