Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Smart Buoys

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award a single source, firm fixed price contract as authorized by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) to Blue Ocean Gear, Inc. for the purchase of thirty (30) smart buoys, three (3) chargers, and thirty (30) annual data and software subscriptions. The objective of this acquisition is to procure Brand Name tracking equipment needed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center for their ropeless gear system traps.

These smart buoys must include specific features, such as being submersible, providing immediate notification upon surfacing, and sending retrieval coordinates. Acquiring smart buoys with these features is crucial in order to improve operations of their ropeless gear systems by effectively and quickly detecting surfacing of traps. Following the base year, the contract may be renewed for up to three option periods at the discretion of NEFSC.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes technical data and cost information, sufficient detail, and convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to meet the requirement. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government.

A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source procurement.

Capability statements are due no later than Friday, 21 February 2025, by 1200 Eastern Time. Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads “143021-25-0075 – Smart Buoys”. To ensure your response along with any and all attachments are received, attachment(s) must be less than 20 MB [in total]. It is the responsibility of the offeror to contact the government to confirm receipt prior to the offer due date and time. Capability statements shall be submitted by email ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following POC: Hannah Elwell hannah.elwell@noaa.gov