Hurricane Ian Windfield Model

Introduction This is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested. Purpose The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed priced purchase order on a sole source basis with Applied Research Associates (ARA), located at 4300 San Mateo Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110-1295.

The purchase order will specifically procure contractor services to obtain a Hurricane Ian Windfield Model in support of the study of Hurricane Ian through the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). The period of performance will be effective from September 4, 2024, through April 3, 2025. Authority This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106(b)(1) allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541690 – Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. Description Please see the attached Statement of Work (SOW) for additional detail. Sole Source Determination The sole source determination is based on the following:

The EL currently has a requirement to obtain a Hurricane Ian Windfield Model in support of the study of Hurricane Ian through the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). Following landfall of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, a preliminary windfield was produced by Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) for NIST under Mission Assignment from FEMA, via contract 1333ND22PNB730388.

NIST is studying the effects of Hurricane Ian’s storm surge and wind hazards, including wind-driven rain, on the built environment in the affected region, the efficacy of current building codes and standards regarding hurricane hazards, and the effectiveness of emergency preparedness, communications, and evacuation response.

NIST seeks to obtain storm surge and wind damage modeling and data analysis, as required for the Hurricane Ian study, which depends heavily on accurate estimates of the wind speeds that occurred in the storm. The Hurricane Ian Windfield Model, produced under the cited contract, 1333ND22PNB730388, is a logical follow-on and ARA has the requisite knowledge and expertise to complete it timely.

Further, the model is used as the basis for wind maps in building codes and standards that NIST issues and the proprietary rights of the Hurricane Ian Windfield Model reside with ARA. For purposes of continuity of science, Applied Research Associates (ARA), is the only source that can fully achieve this requirement and the required services must be purchased directly through ARA. No other sources exist that can achieve this requirement.

Information for Interested Parties Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing by or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is NOT a solicitation. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Hunter Tjugum, Contract Specialist, at Hunter.Tjugum@nist.gov.

All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted via email to hunter.tjugum@nist.gov so that they are received no later than August 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM, Eastern Time.

Each response should include the following Business Information: a. Contractor Name, Address, b. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email address c. Contractor (SAM) Universal Entity Identification (UEI) d. Contractor Business Classification (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, hubZone, veteran owned, etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov. e. Capability Statement