GML Air Sampling Services

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office (AGO), Western Acquisition Division-Boulder (WAD), Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (IRIMHE) located in Mongolia for services of the collection of climate research quality atmospheric air samples to be performed at the GML Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network site located in Dornogovi province in southeastern Mongolia.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s requirement that Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (IRIMHE) is the only vendor that performs services of the collection of climate research quality atmospheric air samples in the Asian steppe. Measurements have been successfully collected at this location since 1992. IRIMHE has the required technical and scientific expertise to carry out these GML research measurements.

IRIMHE has the proven capability to provide the deliverables as outlined in the accompanying Statement of Work, and to maintain the measurement time series from the site. IRIMHE has trained staff as necessary to operate the GML instrumentation and equipment as required for these research measurements. To meet NOAA’s scientific program requirements, GML must maintain this measurement time series. The continued partnership with IRIMHE will ensure this requirement is met.

GML operates approximately 80 long-term atmospheric measurement sites around the globe, and in order to meet the needs of the GML scientific programmatic requirements it is important that the air sample and measurement records that we collect are continued regularly, without significant breaks in the time series.

The technical competence of our local collaborators, and their careful attention to detail when dealing with our instrumentation and equipment is critical to maintaining this long-term data record (over many years to decades). Except when absolutely necessary, GML cannot risk compromising the long-term integrity of these research-grade measurement time series. The reliable, long-term technical support from our local collaborators is essential to meeting the scientific programmatic requirements.

A time series over many years is required for our high-quality measurement product. It is very difficult to find operators capable of ensuring this. To ensure the quality of the measurement record of all of our network sites, it is critical to have the consistent collaboration of qualified partners, while also being cognizant of the eventual possible need of finding qualified replacements.

Period of Performance: date of award to 12/31/2029.

This 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 the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.