Intend_to_Award_Notice_to_SpaceX_1.pdf

Intent to Award Notice – 140G0123Q0185

The US Geological Survey (USGS) has a requirement for a new 6-month contract for STARLINK

MARITIME SERVICE used to provide in motion satellite internet service for the Kiyi vessel.

The Department of the Interior (DOI), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Great Lakes Science

Center (GLSC) in Ann Arbor, MN, supporting the Ecosystems Mission Area requires a new telecommunications system to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet for its Kiyi vessel that travels to international waters and shorelines. This purchase request is to acquire six (6) months of Starlink

Maritime satellite internet service. The Office of the Associate Chief Information Officer (ACIO) is the requesting office.

The total anticipated period of performance will be Date of Award – 06/03/2023.

The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) unless it is contacted by any vendor who believes they can provide a service that can meet the needs of this requirement. Vendors are invited to contact the

Contract Specialist, Tricia Rampersad via email at trampersad@usgs.gov no later than 1:00 PM EDT, Friday, June 02, 2023, with an affirmative answer.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be Personal Protected Information, and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting

Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (FAR 13.1)

The following information is provided to demonstrate the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications:

The USGS, Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) in Ann Arbor, MN, supporting the Ecosystems Mission

Area requires a new telecommunications system to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet for its Kiyi vessel that travels to international waters and shorelines. The vessel operates on Lake Superior for the purpose of scientific research and data collection. In addition, the vessel often travels across international border into Canada where internet service is often non-existent. This poses a risk for communication and real time data collection aboard the vessel and when the vessel is docked in Canada without internet access. While this statement of need supports this vessel, the longer-term plan is to evaluate the success of this solution and expand this solution to the other four GLSC vessels which have similar internet connectivity needs.

In order to provide satellite coverage in open waters, particularly in international waters and shorelines, the

Starlink Maritime service is required. The Starlink hardware and satellite service will be used on the Great

Lakes, including Lake Superior where the vessel operates where cell service and internet are unavailable.

This will allow the on-board staff to more easily communicate and review weather, increasing safety and allowing for increased mission work productivity. The hardware is designed for a permanent installation on the vessel and is resilient in harsh environments. The Maritime service supports global coverage which is critical for when the vessel is in Canadian waters. The Starlink satellite system is the only manufacturer and service provider for satellite internet coverage in the geographic area and that offers in motion reception.

After attempts to get competition among resellers and other sources, it was found that none are available among whom competition can be obtained. This satisfies FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available …” mailto:trampersad@usgs.gov