S01 - Notice of Intent to Sole Source.docx

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Description of Services Required to Meet Government Need The NRCS currently requires satellite data retrieval services for 128 Global Modems linked to Iridium communications for data transmission from automated hydroclimatic stations. Micro-Specialties, Inc. provides these services and ingests the data so it is recognizable by the data platform the NRCS operates. Without MSI services, the NRCS could not retrieve or format the data required from these automated stations that are used in mission critical water supply forecasting and snowpack indexing. This is an ongoing need with annual services costs associated with data retrieval. No other vendor can provide these services for NRCS since they developed this data retrieval concept with the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program.

Notice of Intent to award a sole source purchase order under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The USDA intends to contract with Micro-Specialties, Inc, on a sole source basis for the procurement of MSI, Inc. Modems that are project specific to the NRCS Snow Survey Program.

Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Interested parties must submit technical capabilities, pricing and other information which demonstrates their ability to meet the Governments needs no later than the response time provided. Information submitted after response date will not be considered. Detailed capabilities must be submitted to the listed Primary Point of Contact.

This synopsis is not considered a request for quote. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests for technical information are not accepted. No contract will be awarded on a basis of offers received in response to this notice. Offers will be used only to determine if a comparable source is available and advantageous to the Government.