B10_Notice_of_Intent_to_Sole_Source_1.docx

The purpose of this announcement is to provide notice that The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), intends to make a firm fixed price, sole source award to Water Mapping, LLC, 479 Deer Point Dr., Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, for the procurement of a new automated algorithm designed to work with a newer multispectral sensor, Micasense Altum-PT.

The Contracting Office at Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisitions and Operations Branch, Sterling, Virginia, 20166 hereby gives notice of intent to award a sole source contract to Water Mapping LLC., for the procurement of a new automated algorithm designed to work with a newer multispectral sensor, Micasense Altum-PT based on Python.

The Government intends to enter into a firm fixed priced purchase order. This acquisition is conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) (1) Soliciting from a Single Source. Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available due to the uniquely qualified source that can provide the expertise and coordination necessary to meet the Federal Government requirements for services and no other sources will be able to accurately satisfy agency requirements.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 541620 - Environmental Consulting Services - with a size standard of $19M.

The intent of this announcement is for informational purposes only. Responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. No contract award will be made on the basis of EOIs, proposals or quotations received in response to this notice.

Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement (see attached Justification) and should furnish detailed data concerning their capabilities to provide the services sought including pricing data and technical data sufficient to determine that a comparable source to the government is available. The Government will be the sole determiner regarding an offerors ability to meet all requirements. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government.

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Submitters bear the burden of ensuring that the EOI reaches the designated contracting officer on time and are responsible for allowing adequate time for transmission to be completed. The offeror bears the risk of non-receipt of transmissions and should ensure that all pages have been received by the designated office before the deadline indicated.

This purchase will be under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and Other Than Full and Open Competition as authorized under FAR 6.302-1. This purchase order will be awarded in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Part13. The anticipated award date is March 13, 2025. All submissions in response to this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the Contracting Officer, Michelle Potter, at michelle.potter@bsee.gov no later than January 31, 2025 at 14:00 ET. Telephone calls regarding this matter will neither be accepted nor returned.

Department of the InteriorClear Print Form

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC for Acquisitions > SAT) (Optional for Acqs. ≤ SAT) I recommend that the BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT use other than full and open competition for the acquisition of the following supplies or services. If this acquisition is to be made with only one source or a limited number of sources, negotiations will be conducted with the indicated proposed supplier(s).

1. Nature/Description of the Acquisition [FAR 6.303-2(b)(2)] This is a sole source action to be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price contract. Algorithm development for remote sensing to detect oil and estimate thickness is an advanced and interdisciplinary field of research, posing unique challenges from both theoretical and operational standpoints. BSEE OSPD needs to develop an algorithm based on open source Python for Micasense Altum-PT to detect oil and measure its thickness. It is in the BSEE’s best interest to fund Water Mapping to conduct this study as Water Mapping has successfully conducted various oil spill response research projects for BSEE, NOAA and US Coast Guard including algorithm development for various remote sensors. Since Water Mapping previously developed an algorithm for oil spill response, they have comprehensive knowledge and skills to perform this project. Moreover, the previous algorithm that Water Mapping developed is unique and Water Mapping is the only source that can use and modify the algorithm without incurring extra cost and effort.

2. Description of Supplies or Services [FAR 6.303-2(b)(3)]

This project focuses on the development of a new automated algorithm designed to work with a Micasense Altum-PT. This sensor is superior to any sensor used before because it integrates all the sensors (multispectral, visual, and thermal all in one), where all the data can be collected at the same time over the same location covering the exact same extent reducing data processing time and increase accuracy. It also provides much higher resolution compared to other sensors, which allows it to capture much higher detail in oil features.

The objective of this project is to develop a new automated algorithm designed to work with a newer multispectral sensor, Micasense Altum-PT, which was recently acquired by BSEE and the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC). A new automated algorithm shall be developed based on Python that is open source license, making it freely usable and distributable, even for commercial use.

The Performance Objectives are as follows:

Identify one statutory authority for this acquisition to be conducted under ''other than full and open competition'' procedures [FAR 6.303-2(b)(4)]. Provide narrative justification associated with the respective stated authority in block number 15.

THE COMPETITION IN CONTRACTING ACT OF 1984 (P.L.98–369)

6. 41 USC 253(c)(1) – Only one responsible source This authority shall be used in preference to the Public Interest justification. It shall not be used when any of the other circumstances are applicable. (Explain what makes this contractor the only responsible source: i.e., does this proposed contractor have facilities or equipment that is specialized and vital to the effort? Is the proposed contractor the only one that can meet critical schedules? Does the proposed contractor have prior experience of a highly specialized nature vital to the effort? Why won't any other product or service satisfy the need? Is the acquisition the result of an unsolicited research proposal [see FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(i)]? Describe market survey and analysis efforts leading to this conclusion.)

9. 41 USC 253(c)(2) – Unusual and compelling urgency This authority applies in those situations where (1) an unusual and compelling urgency precludes full an open competition and

(2) delay in award of contract would result in serious injury, financial or other, to the Government. (Explain why the agency's need for the supplies or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured unless it limited the number of sources. Solicitation from as many potential sources as is practicable under the circumstances is required.)

10. 41 USC 253(c)(3) – Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services This authority applies when it is necessary to award the contract to a particular source or sources in order (1) to establish or maintain an essential capacity for theoretical analyses, exploratory studies, or experiments in any field of science or technology, or (2) to establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a federally funded research and development center, or (3) to acquire the services of an expert for any current or anticipated litigation or dispute. (Does the proposed contractor have facilities and equipment that are vital in the event of a national emergency? Is the proposed contract to maintain properly balanced sources of supply for meeting the requirements of acquisition of programs in the interest of industrial mobilization? Is the proposed contract to create or maintain the required domestic capability for production of critical supplies by limiting competition to items manufactured in the United States or Canada?)

11. 41 USC 253(c)(4) – International agreement This authority may be used when the acquisition is to be reimbursed by a foreign country that requires the product to be obtained from a particular firm as specified in official written direction such as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance; or, when services are to be performed, or supplies are to be used in the sovereign territory of another country and the terms of a treaty or agreement specify or limit the sources to be solicited. (Cite the international agreement or treaty between the United States and the foreign government or international organization that precludes full and open competition. Provide the written directions of the foreign government reimbursing the agency for the cost of the acquisition, which precludes full and open competition.)

12. 41 USC 253(c)(5) – Authorized or required by statute This authority may be used when a statute expressly authorizes that the acquisition be made through another agency or from a specified source.(Cite the authority that expressly authorizes that the acquisition be made through another agency or from a specified source, and attach a copy of the statute.) Note: While this statutory exception includes the small disadvantaged business 8(a) set-aside program, a JOFOC is not required for this type of procurement.

13. 41 USC 253(c)(6) – National Security This authority may be used for any acquisition when disclosure of the Government’s needs would compromise national security. It will not be used merely because the acquisition is classified, or merely because access to classified matter will be necessary to submit a proposal or to perform the contract. (Explain why the disclosure of the Government’s needs would compromise the national security or violate security requirements.)

14. 41 USC 253(c)(7) – Public Interest This authority may be used when none of the other authorities above apply. Individual justification, Secretarial approval, and Congressional notification 30 days before award of contract are required.

15. JUSTIFICATION (Attach additional pages if needed)

(a) Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited [FAR 6.303-2(b)(5)]. [Prepared by Program Office] BSEE OSPD needs to develop an remote sensing algorithm based on open source Python for Micasense Altum-PT to detect oil and measure its thickness. It is in the BSEE’s best interest to fund Water Mapping to conduct this study as Water Mapping has successfully conducted various oil spill response research projects for BSEE, NOAA and US Coast Guard including algorithm development for various remote sensors. Since Water Mapping previously developed an algorithm for oil spill response, they have comprehensive knowledge and skills to perform this project. Moreover, the previous algorithm that Water Mapping developed is unique and Water Mapping is the only source that can use and modify the algorithm without incurring extra cost and effort. By awarding this contract to Water Mapping, we can minimize the risk of project and can also save time and taxpayers’ money.

(b) Describe the efforts taken to ensure offers were solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a Government-wide point of entry (GPE) notice was or will be published as required by FAR 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(6)].

A notice of intent will be posted to give other possible vendors the opportunity to respond with their capabilities that could meet the requirement.

(c) Demonstration that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable [FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)].

The bureau will analyze the price of the proposal received in accordance with FAR 13. Price reasonableness will be determined by comparing to the price proposal with prices paid under other contracts, as well as by comparison with the independent government estimate.

15. JUSTIFICATION CONTINUED (Attach additional pages if needed)

(d) Describe the market research that was conducted and the results of that survey. If actions were taken by procurement personnel to satisfy this requirement such as a GPE sources sought synopsis, please specify. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)]. [Initiated by the Program Office and finalized in collaboration with the Contracting Officer] As mentioned above, Water Mapping’s capability to develop an algorithm based on Python for oil spill detection and thickness estimate is a unique feature of this project, especially the design and components of Python based algorithm are customized and not commercially available. Water Mapping is the only source with the professional knowledge and capability to perform the required services.

(e) Describe any other documentation to support the JOFOC. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)]. [Prepared by Program Office]

See statement of work.

(f) List sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)]. [PreparedbyProgram Office]

So far, no other sources have expressed interest in the acquisition to date. However, a notice of intent will be posted to give other possible vendors the opportunity to respond with their capabilities that could meet the requirement.

(g) List the actions the Bureau will take to promote competition on any subsequent acquisitions for similar supplies or services.

[FAR 6.303-2(b)(11)]. [Prepared by Contracting Officer]

As part of its responsibilities to promote oil spill preparedness through technology development, BSEE will continue its outreach effort to find and fund pertinent technologies through subsequent procurements based on available funding.

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