B01_-_Synopsis_-_NOI_Sole_Source_1.pdf

Synopsis – Notice to Sole Source:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR 2025-26 FREEZE-UP

AND BREAK-UP OF ARCTIC SEA ICE IN THE US BEAUFORT AND CHUKCHI SEAS

This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition and Operations Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this Notice is to announce the government’s intent to issue a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 15 to Coastal Frontiers Corporation, 882A Patriot Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021-3544, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

BSEE has determined that Coastal Frontiers Corporation (CFC) is the only entity that possesses the unique qualifications and cumulative expertise to meet the program requirements. CFC has been the primary investigator for the annual freeze-up effort since the inception of the Joint Industry Project (JIP) in 2009 with Shell Oil-Alaska and later with Statoil. The proposed research is intended to build upon the knowledge gained from previous freeze-up observations, acquired through research sponsored by JIP partners and BSEE since 2009, and to obtain an understanding of the nature of break-up under present-day conditions. A key part of this effort includes obtaining present and historical radar satellite (RADARSAT) images that are vital to conducting the required analysis. These images are obtained through a third-party provider and are subject to a non-disclosure end-user agreement. Historically, Shell Oil-Alaska purchased these images and in 2016 donated the historical data to the University of Alaska – Alaska Center for Conservation Science (ACCS) with permission for CFC to use the summary reports, raw data and post-processed data sets. The original historical RADARSAT images and data cannot be shared with any other entity under the governing end-user agreement. Final results are based on a combination of current and historical RADARSAT imagery analysis, historical proprietary data from previous JIP partners and CFC contracts, and reconnaissance flights flown during each freeze-up and break-up season.

Ken Vaudrey conducted initial studies on the ice freeze-up in Beaufort and Chukchi seas from 1980 through 1992. Vaudrey is contracted with CFC to provide the data and guidance on the information from those years. This data provides a much longer historical trend than would be possible from the data gathered from the studies BSEE has been involved in. Since Vaudrey is contracted with CFC, CFC is the only contractor who can provide the historical data from the 80’s, which greatly benefits the trend analysis of the ice freeze-up in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

Additionally, CFC has a current agreement with the Canadian Ice Service to receive RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) satellite images.

The anticipated period of performance is 16 months from date of award, with a potential 12-month option.

PLEASE NOTE: This notice is not a request for proposal (RFP). However, any firm that believes itself capable of meeting the requirement described herein may submit a capability statement or quotation which may be considered if received by the agency by 5:00pm Eastern Time on 12 February 2026. All submissions in response to this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the Contracting Officer at david.villani@bsee.gov referencing 140E0126R0001, on the subject line. A determination by the Government not to compete the Government’s requirements described in this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.