SSJ SOS Final_Fully Signed_Redacted.pdf

Version 4.0

SOLE SOURCE

FOR AN ACTION EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

USING SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(AUTHORITY: FAR 12.102(b), 41 U.S.C. 1901)

Request For Quote (RFQ) 1332KP26Q0009

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants

Office (AGO), Satellite and Information Acquisition Division (SIAD) and National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), Office of Projects, Planning, and Analysis

(OPPA).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a sole source justification to support the award of a new firm-fixed-price turnkey installation contract. The Government has solicited with the single source, B/W Color Prints LLC (dba BWC Visual Technology), based on the proprietary nature of the requirement.

3. Description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the total estimated value).

The NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) requires a turnkey installation of a Science on a Sphere (SOS) exhibit. The SOS is a specialized visualization system utilizing computers and four video projectors to display animated environmental data onto a 60-inch diameter sphere. The SOS exhibit is a mission-essential requirement for NSOF to fulfill NOAA’s statutory mandate under the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (33 U.S.C. § 893a) to improve public environmental literacy. As the national command center for environmental satellite operations, NSOF requires a high-fidelity visualization platform to translate complex, real-time data from the GOES-R and JPSS constellations into intuitive, global formats for visiting policymakers, international scientific partners, and the public. Unlike traditional flat-screen displays, the SOS provides a distortion-free, 360-degree representation of Earth, which is required for the accurate visualization of planetary-scale phenomena such as atmospheric rivers, ocean currents, and global climate trends, core mission areas for NESDIS.

Requirements include proprietary SOS hardware and software (Operating System, Wibu Dongle, and "SOS RoboGuide" suite), specialized technical services (Remote Alignment Management and API support), and ancillary site preparation including glass double doors, wall murals, and sphere mounting points.

Period of Performance: 12 months from Notice to Proceed (NTP).

Total Estimated Value:

4. Statutory authority permitting the sole source (including brand name) acquisition.

The authority for this justification is Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 12.102, Restricting Competition, and 41 U.S.C. 1901, and is based on only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The applicable procedures are in RFO 12.201-1 Simplified Procedures, as implemented by Department of Commerce Class Deviation to FAR Parts 1 through 53 (PM 2026-06)

1332KP26Q0009

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. The contracting officer has determined the following circumstances justify the use of a sole source as supported below:

Exclusive Licensing Agreement/Restrictive Rights/Authorized Reseller - BWC Visual Technology is the sole authorized partner for the SOS system in North America under CRADA CR-188 (active through March 2029) and holds exclusive rights to the "Alignment Pro" system (U.S. Patent No. 18/188,075).

Technical Necessity: This requirement involves the proprietary SOS codebase and the Wibu Dongle hardware key, both of which are exclusively distributed and supported by BWC in North America. No other company can satisfy the Government’s needs because a third-party installation lacks the legal authority to utilize the proprietary alignment software suite.

Inseparability of Services: The ancillary site preparation, including the installation of glass double doors and specialized structural mounting points, is technically inseparable from the technical installation. The 60-inch sphere must be suspended with millimeter precision to ensure the four projectors can seamlessly stitch images via BWC's proprietary software.

Splitting this work between multiple vendors would create a "liability gap" and void manufacturer warranties as defined under the CRADA.

Mission Impact: Failure to award to BWC would prevent the successful deployment of the SOS exhibit at NSOF. No other North American entity possesses the legal or technical authority to install and certify the proprietary hardware and software suite required for this mission-critical visualization tool.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was published to SAM.gov on February 6, 2026, for 15 days (Notice ID: REQUIREMENTS-25-5029). No responses were received from vendors capable of meeting the technical and proprietary requirements.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine that the negotiated price of is fair and reasonable. This determination will be based on a detailed price analysis comparing BWC’s proposal to verified commercial pricing data.

This evaluation included an analysis

1332KP26Q0009

Based on this information, the Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price will be fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted in February 2026 via SAM.gov, GSA, and internet searches.

Firms such as IM Systems Group (IMSG) and VizLab Protech were identified; however, they lack the proprietary hardware rights and CRADA authorization required for physical SOS installation. Globoccess AG was identified but disqualified as a German-based entity without authorized distribution/installation rights in North America.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of a sole source (including brand name), such as:

All supporting facts have been documented herein.

10. List of the sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

No sources expressed an interest in writing after the required notification on SAM.gov.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

NOAA will continue to monitor the status of CRADA CR-188 and any future licensing changes.

If the proprietary rights or exclusive North American partnership status changes prior to subsequent requirements, NOAA will pursue a full and open competition.

12. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Contracting Officer’s Certification and Approval

I certify this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.