Acid Precip - SC06 FY26

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Office of Acquisitions and Grants has issued an Intent to Award Notice for a firm-fixed-price sole source contract (140G0126Q0077) to support atmospheric deposition monitoring services. The contract, posted on March 24, 2026, is intended to award to Mr. Herman Keller for ongoing operation and maintenance of atmospheric deposition station SC06 located at Santee National Wildlife Refuge. This special notice represents a non-competitive procurement justified by the incumbent contractor's unique qualifications and the critical nature of maintaining continuity in long-term environmental monitoring. The USGS Water Mission Area, Observing Systems Division, Hydrologic Networks Branch is the contracting entity, with Brian Baker serving as the Contracting Officer. The notice invites interested vendors who believe they can meet the requirement to submit an affirmative response demonstrating their capability.

The contract focuses on supporting the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, National Trends Network (NADP-NTN), with the primary objective of maintaining uninterrupted precipitation sample collection and analysis at Station SC06, which has been operational since the 1980s. Mr. Keller's unique qualifications, including his authorization to access U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service property and his extensive training in station servicing, form the basis for the sole source justification, as relocating the station would compromise the historical data continuity essential for environmental trend analysis. Interested contractors must contact Contracting Officer Brian Baker at brian_baker@ios.doi.gov with an affirmative response no later than 1:00 PM EST on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, demonstrating their capability to perform weekly site visits, collect and process precipitation samples, conduct routine instrument checks, and perform necessary maintenance and repairs. While this contract is being awarded without full and open competition, the USGS has committed to utilizing a competitive process for future opportunities when the site is relocated or transitioned to another organization.