Sources_Sought_--_10.31.19.docx

Department of Commerce (DOC) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sources Sought Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) Probes

REQUIREMENT

The Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) Network is an international effort that supports the implementation of a network of cargo vessels, cruise ships, and research vessels to deploy scientific instruments that collect oceanographic observations. As part of the XBT Network, the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) has the responsibility to provide XBT temperature measurements that are used to monitor changes of key surface and subsurface currents, to study meridional heat transport in all ocean basins, and to supplement other observational platforms to assess the variability of the upper ocean heat content. XBTs are deployed along fixed, pre-established transects, which are repeated at least 4 times per year, to measure the water temperature from the sea surface to a maximum depth of 850 m. On average, approximately 15,000 XBTs are deployed per year, of which AOML is involved in about 90% of some of the aspect of the logistics, operations, data processing, etc. AOML leads or co-leads with its international collaborators the implementation and operations of 12 Atlantic Ocean transects. Most of the data obtained though this project are distributed onto the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) within 24 hours of its acquisition, thereby providing critical input to weather and climate forecasts models and scientific applications. Additional scientific quality control is carried out at AOML to provide data with quality for climate studies. These data are distributed to NOAA/National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) and to other data distribution centers. AOML is seeking sources capable of meeting the following requirements:

1) XBT probes capable of measuring:

· Temperature profiles of at least 750 m at ship speeds of 20 knots or more

· Temperature profiles of at least 1000 m at ship speeds of 20 knots or more

· Temperature profiles of at least 1800 m at ship speeds of 6 knots or more

· Temperature profiles with vertical resolution of 70 cm or better and accuracy of 0.1 C

· Conductivity measurements between 0 and 70 mS/cm, with a resolution of 0.02 mS/cm or better, and accuracy of 0.03 mS/cm.

2) XCTD probes capable of measuring:

3) Recording equipment capable of:

· Recording temperature profiles using the above mentioned probe types

· Easy integration to the operation of automatic probe launchers

· Recording temperature profiles with accuracy of 0.2°C, temperature resolution of 0.01°C, at a temperature range of -2 to 35°C for XBT probes.

· Recording temperature and salinity profiles from Expendable Conductivity / Temperature / Depth (XCTD) probes.

PURPOSE

a. To determine industry capabilities to fulfil the aforementioned requirement.

b. To determine size standard of vendors capable of fulfilling the aforementioned requirement.

c. To identify any special requirements associated with this industry.

RESPONSE FORMAT

In order to better assist in the review of submittals to this sources sought, respondents are encouraged to prepare a capabilities statement that closely adheres to the following format:

The document format shall be either Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) formats. Responses shall be prepared using 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins, and 8.5” by 11” paper and shall not exceed five (5) pages in length, including images, data displays, charts, graphs, and tables.

Respondents are encouraged to ensure that their submittals are complete and address all items outlined within this RFI. Respondents may provide additional promotional literature in addition to their response as long as the literature conforms to the response format.

RESPONSE DEADLINE AND REQUESTED INFORMATION

Responses to this notice should be submitted in the form of Microsoft Word and/or PDF (searchable format) documents attached to emails received no later than Close of Business (COB) November 12, 2019.

· Contract Specialist: Ryan Edwards at ryan.edwards@noaa.gov and

· Contracting Officer: Bianca Blau at bianca.h.blau@noaa.gov

Interested parties are requested to submit a statement of capability outlining past work that is related to this requirement. The statement of capability shall also include the information listed below:

1. Company Name/Division, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone, FAX numbers, and website address (if available).

2. Single point-of-contact name, title, telephone, and email address.

3. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Please note that companies must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be considered potential sources (https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/).

4. Applicable NAICS code under which the company customarily does business.

5. Business size for NAICS Code and socio-economic status, if qualified as one or more of the following:

a. 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA)

b. Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA)

c. Woman-Owned Small Business

d. HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA)

e. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information pages)

6. A description of the firm’s ability to perform the work and any other information you believe to be important and relevant to the purposes of this RFI.

The responses received will assist NOAA with identifying the number and nature of the entities that consider themselves feasible technical solution providers.

Each respondent, by submitting a response, agrees that any cost incurred by it in responding to this request, or in support of activities associated with this RFI, shall be the sole responsibility of respondent. NOAA shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondent in responding to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned.

INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS

Some respondents may be asked to provide additional information regarding the matters addressed in this RFI. Such requests will be provided approximately 2 weeks following the deadline to respond to this RFI. Those respondents will be contacted directly if there is a need for further information.

QUESTIONS

Respondents may submit questions regarding this RFI to the contact(s) listed below. Responses to questions may be posted on FEDBIZOPPS. Please send any questions you may have to the Contract Specialist, Ryan Edwards at ryan.edwards@noaa.gov and Contracting Officer, Bianca Blau at bianca.h.blau@noaa.gov.