Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole-Source Contract -3M Company Gulf Federal permits FD-2024-208

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office (SERO) intends to award, on a sole source basis to 3M Company, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), for Gulf Federal permits are required for charter vessels and headboats (Gulf-For-Hire permits).

The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services requirement for Gulf Federal Permits. Regulations require a permit vessel decal be displayed on the port side of the deckhouse or hull for all vessels with a Gulf-For- Hire permit.

The Fisheries Permits Office with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Regional Office (SERO) is responsible for administering the Region’s vessel/dealer permit programs and obtaining approval for new or modified information collection programs. The work under this contract will enable production and distribution of vessel decals for Gulf-For-Hire permit holders.

Typically, two decal years are produced in the same year, with the current year decals’ production phasing out in July of that year (i.e., production for 2024 decals will begin phasing out in July 2024 with production then for 2025 and 2026 decals, etc. The decal year is the year that the decal expires (i.e., a 2025 decal will expire in 2025 – see Exhibit A; however, there are occasions (e.g., replacement decals) when three decal years may be produced in the same year.

There are two (2) different types of permit decals – “Coastal Migratory Pelagic Permit” decal and “Reef Fish Permit” decal. Each decal will consist of both static and variable data (see Exhibit A) for each individual permit decal. The trim size of each decal will be 3-1/4” x 4-7/16”. The decals will be color coded to indicate a different year (Permit Office’s choosing), and will contain a hologram of the NOAA logo embedded into the decal. The period of performance for this project will be from Date of Award - 12 Months.

The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special Notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis.

Such documentation will be evaluated solely for determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only The Sexton Corporation has the sole capability of providing the requirement stated above.