Diesel heating fuel for kasitsna BAY laboratory in seldovia, alaska

***NOAA'S ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, EASTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-NORFOLK, NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE (NOS) KASITSNA BAY LABORATORY INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), WITH SELDOVIA FUEL AND LUBE, INC OUT OF SELDOVIA, AK FOR DIESEL HEATING FUEL, IN STORAGE AND ON-DEMAND, IN SUPPORT OF THE LABORATORY’S OPERATIONAL CADENCE OF RESEARCH AND DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES WHICH RELY ON CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S (NOAA) REQUIREMENT THAT SELDOVIA FUEL AND LUBE IS THE ONLY DIESEL HEATING FUEL SUPPLIER IN SELDOVIA, ALASKA. THE KASITSNA BAY LABORATORY IS LOCATED ON A REMOTE PENINSULA ON KACHEMAK BAY AND SELDOVIA FUEL AND LUBE IS ALSO LOCATED ON THE SAME PENINSULA. OTHER COMPETITIVE SOURCES OF FUEL OIL / SUPPLIERS WOULD REQUIRE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO REACH THE LAB (I.E. FERRY, WATER TAXI).  THE HARSH WINTERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THAT SURROUND THE LAB REQUIRE HIGHLY SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN DEMAND OF FUEL OIL, AND SELDOVIA FUEL AND OIL CAN REACT TO THOSE SEASONAL DEMANDS.  COMPETITIVE AND MARKET RESEARCH IDENTIFIED THAT FREEZING CONDITIONS IMPACTING THE BAYS, TRANSPORTATION OF FUEL OIL THROUGH DIFFICULT TERRAIN, AND MEETING THE FLUCTUATING QUANTITY AND DEMANDS OF VISITORS ON THE LAB WILL MAKE OTHER SOURCES UNRELIABLE OR UNABLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FUEL OIL SUPPLY CHAIN.  SELDOVIA FUEL AND OIL’S GEOGRAPHICAL PROXIMITY THE NCCOS KASITSNA BAY LABORATORY REDUCES THE RISK OF MISSION FAILURE DUE TO FREEZING PIPES, UNCONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THAT COULD INCREASE RISK OF MOLD/MILDEW GROWTH, STAFF HEALTH / WELFARE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE DUE TO CLOGGED FILTERS, OIL PUMPS, AND OIL LINES.

***THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENTS MAY SUBMIT SUBSTANTIATING DOCUMENTATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS SYNOPSIS. SUCH 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 RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE, IS SOLELY WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.