Synopsis NR-MA0000-23-00610.pdf

SYNOPSIS

Quality Positioning Services Software

SYNOPSIS:

This is a notice of intent to negotiate and award a sole source contract. This is not a request for competitive quotes/proposals. The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Office of Ocean Exploration and Research’s (OER) requirement for Quality Positioning Services (QPS) Software is hereby synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.207, Preparation and Transmittal of Synopses:

(1) Action Code: NR-MA0000-23-00610

(2) Date: August 8, 2023

(3) Year: 2023

(4) Contracting Office ZIP Code: 80305

(5) Product or Service Code: 7A21 - IT and Telecom - Business Application Software (perpetual License Software)

(6) Contracting Office Address: 325 Broadway, DSRC, Boulder, CO 80305

(7) Subject: Intent to Sole Source to QPS for Software

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: N/A

(9) Closing Response Date: August 17, 2023

(10) Contact Point or Contracting Officer:

Contracting Officer: Molly Tovado Email: molly.tovado@noaa.gov Contract Specialist: Julia Hamilton Email: julia.l.hamilton@noaa.gov

(11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number:

Solicitation Number: N/A Contract Number: To be determined at time of award

(12) Contract Award Dollar Amount: To be determined

(13) Line Item Number: To be determined

(14) Contract Award Date: To be determined

(15) Contractor: Quality Positioning Services, Inc.

(16) Description:

NOAA intends to award a sole-source contract to QPS under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) up to $7.5M as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

The sonar data collected by the NOAA, OAR, OER Expeditions Operations team is used to create new maps of previously unexplored areas of the ocean floor and water column. These maps are used by the ocean exploration, scientific research, and marine resource management communities to further the understanding of U.S. and international ocean space. OER utilizes vessels that are fitted with a multi beam sonar that collects bathymetry, water column backscatter, and bottom backscatter data, and multiple EK sonars. The QPS software suite is used to view and interpret all of these data in support of OER’s mission of ocean exploration.

QPS software is a geospatial processing software suite that specifically works with acoustic oceanographic data (multi-beam sonar data and EK sonar data). The suite includes several different types of "software" and "add-ons" for viewing, processing, integrating, and manipulating different types of data acquired in the ocean environment; the suite includes: FMGT, GIS, Midwater, Fledermaus, Midwater Qimera, Qimera 2, TU Delft. These data include seafloor data showing depth, seafloor data showing backscatter/hardness, midwater data showing

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ACQUISITION AND GRANTS OFFICE

Western Acquisition Division – Boulder 325 Broadway, SOU6 Boulder, CO 80305 mailto:molly.tovado@noaa.gov mailto:julia.l.hamilton@noaa.gov depth, midwater data showing backscatter, etc. Each type of "software" or "add-ons" in this suite supports a different application of the multi-beam data.

There are no alternative sources for this software. This software is proprietary to QPS and no other software can perform the specialized functions extensively tailored to view and interpret all of the data in support of OER’s mission of ocean exploration. No other company can make modifications to the software or offer subscription services for this proprietary software package. Additionally, without QPS software, critical data would not be able to incorporate or link to any past data samples that used QPS software without significant cost and programming time.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, any firm that believes it can meet this requirement shall provide written notification to the Contracting Officer by 3pm MST on August 17, 2023. In order to be considered, interested parties shall submit pertinent and specific information demonstrating their ability to perform this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within its discretion. All responses received prior to the close of this notice will be considered by the Government solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

(17) Place of Contract Performance: NOAA, OAR, OER Vessels

(18) Set-aside Status: N/A. The Government does not intend to set-aside this procurement for a small business program.