Argos Satellite Transmission Data Service

Synopsis:  Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract

Announcement Number: 3015MF24Q0051

Project Title: Argos Satellite Transmission Data Service

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR), Delegated Procurement Authority intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with the Woods Hole Group, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, for ARGOS satellite telemetry data. The required work scope will ensure that satellite transmission tracking is accurate. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services with a business size standard of $19.5 million.

Sole Source Justification

Argos was developed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES, the French Space agency), The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, USA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, USA). The system utilizes both ground and satellite-based resources to accomplish its mission. Argos is operated by CLS/Argos, based in Toulouse, France. CLS has a subsidiary in the U.S. Woods Hole Group (formerly (CLS America, Inc.). These companies operate the system and promote its use.

The Woods Hole Group is the US-based subsidiary of CLS Group and the only provider of the Argos satellite data transmission service in North America. NOAA OPR has a long history of using satellite tags/transmitters that transmit data through the Argos system. There are no alternative US Data service companies that use the Argos data system.

The wildlife satellite telemetry equipment and associated data transmission systems NOAA staff are trained to use are designed for the Argos network operated by Woods Hole Group. Staff only have experience working with satellite telemetry data provided by Argos. Switching to another satellite data transmission service provider would present a tremendous burden upon the Government as personnel would need training to learn a new system, new analytical routines would need to be developed, and we risk losing data quality and compatibility. Using a different vendor would also create an increased financial burden on the Government. Any alternative would require a different technology platform and different transmitters. Many of which cannot off the same advantages in term of data collection trade-offs as the Argos platform.

Special Notice

This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities.  However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice.  Responses can be sent via e-mail to natasha.thieman@noaa.gov.  Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EDT on July 24, 2024.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: 

Announcement Number: 3015MF24Q0051

Project Title: Argos Satellite Transmission Data Service

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that any submission transmitted to the specified Government representative(s) is received prior to the due date specified herein. 

Offerors are highly encouraged to contact the Government representative(s) specified above prior to the synopsis’ stated time and date for receipt of offers to ensure the Government has received the submission. Information received after the date and time specified in this solicitation may be excluded from consideration.   

DOC/NOAA/NMFS requires that all contractors doing business with this agency be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). Awards cannot be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. A UEI may be acquired free of charge by registering at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration or by telephone at (866) 606-8220.

The notice will remain open from 7/09/2024 to 7/24/2024.