Grid tag equipped to measure waves

SPECIAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO EQUIP GRID AND GRIDSAT TAGS WITH ACCELEROMTERS TO MEASURE OCEAN WAVES

This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition Operations Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this Notice is to announce the Government¿s intent to negotiate a sole source contract with URS/AECOM to Equip GRID and GRIDSAT Tags with Accelerometers to Measure Ocean Waves, based on the offeror¿s demonstrated unique capability in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source. This requirement will utilize FAR Part 15 acquisition procedures.

URS/AECOM developed, under BSEE contract no. E14PC00027, technology for a low-cost, mesh radio, geo-referencing identification (GRID) tag and GRID Satellite (GRIDSAT) tags to track equipment and assets in real-time for use in oil spill recovery operations at sea. These GRID tags can be enhanced to accurately measure wave characteristics to inform decision makers and local operators if sea conditions allow for response operations. The purpose of this follow-on contract is for URS/AECOM to enhance these GRID Tags and GRIDSAT tags with accelerometers and other motion detecting hardware to measure wave characteristics of wave height, wave length, and wave period.

URS/AECOM and their subcontractor Midstream Technology are the only known source able to perform this follow-on work because they hold the technology that is to be enhanced to measure the wave characteristics of wave length, wave height, and wave period. This data is then processed and communicated in real time via satellite to a local spill response operator and to an off-site command center in order to inform the common operating picture. AECOM holds the satellite license with Iridium Satellite, the satellite system capable of communications at high latitudes. Therefore, URS/AECOM is the only source available to further develop this technology.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. However, any firm believing itself capable of enhancing the GRID and GRIDSAT tags may submit technical documentation to establish their capability. Such documentation must be submitted to the Contracting Officer by 2:00pm, Eastern Daylight Savings Time on May 19, 2016 (within 15 calendar days of electronic posting of this notice). A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses received will normally be considered solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. Documentation should be submitted in writing to Caroline Laikin-Credno via email at caroline.laikin-credno@bsee.gov. Telephone responses will not be honored.