Intent to Sole Source to The GPS Store, INC. for Specialized Locator Beacon (PLB-425)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Western Acquisition Division intends to negotiate, on a sole-source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with THE GPS STORE, INC. This sole-source determination is based on NOAA's requirement that THE GPS STORE, INC is the sole entity capable of meeting the specified requirements and objectives.

FMRD proposes to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition in support of the Northeast Fisheries Observer Programs. The purchase will be for sixty (60) ACR RESQLINK VIEW Personal Locator Beacon 425 (PLB-425). This purchase is vital to the mission and safety of our personnel. It is mission-critical for the safety of our observers who collect data onboard commercial fishing vessels for fisheries management. FMRD Observers are at sea year-round, sometimes for days and weeks at a time. The ACR RESQLINK VIEW Personal Locator Beacon 425 (PLB-425) has proven mission-critical and has performed exceptionally during recent emergencies experienced by our fisheries observers while aboard a vessel. It has saved human lives.

The ACR RESQLINK VIEW Personal Locator Beacon 425 (PLB-425) is an item peculiar to one manufacturer, ACR ARTEX. It is GPS 406 enabled and has an industry-leading OLED Display screen to show that an emergency signal has been sent and other updates pertinent to the device's function (e.g., battery level, GPS location, test pass/fail).

Additional features include:

• Buoyant
• Serviceable with battery replacement options
• 5-year battery from the manufacture date
• LED for viewing transmissions and device status
• Waterproof: 16.40 ft (5 m) @ 1 hr., 33 ft (10 m) @ 10 min. Factory tested @ 70°F
• Approved by COSPAS-SARSAT, FCC, Canada, R&TTE, New Zealand
• 5-year warranty
• Less than 12 oz
• Mechanically protected activation button
• Strobe
• 66 channel GPS enabled
• 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz
• Non-Hazmat battery
• MEOSAR Compatible
• Belt clip included

These lifesaving, USCG, and SOLAS-approved features provide an impeccable mode of emergency communication that cannot be met by other manufacturers currently. Safety for observers is of the utmost importance, and the ACR Aqualink features provide the best level of security in case of distress while deployed at sea.

Objective:

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 supporting documentation in writing to the identified point of contact (below) within the allotted timeframe after publication. Such documentation will be evaluated solely to determine whether 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 government's discretion. Oral communications are NOT acceptable in response to this notice.

Capability statements are due no later than Tuesday, July 16, at 12:00 EST. All correspondence sent via email must contain a subject line that reads "143021-24-0291 - Locator Beacon." To ensure receipt, attachments must be less than 20 MB in total. It is the offeror's responsibility to confirm receipt with the government before the due date and time. Capability statements should be submitted by email ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to:

Jacob Gray

Email: jacob.gray@noaa.gov

Phone: 210.400.9512