Notice of intent to award noncompetitive action

The US Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (USGS) currently uses conventional oil-filled hydrophone streamers to collect high resolution seismic reflection data in support of offshore marine geohazards investigations. This technology is noisier and has less fidelity than new digital solid streamer technology. To improve the quality of our high resolution geophysical data we intend to purchase a new generation solid active section digital streamer. This streamer will be used on our research vessel Parke Snavely (http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/mapping/Snavely.html) and other vessels of opportunity. Like many of the leased vessels that we employ, the Snavely is a small vessel (36) with limited deck space; therefore the streamer must be as small as possible and portable from one vessel to another.

The USGS intends to fulfill this requirement by noncompetitively purchasing a GeoEel Solid from Geometrics, Inc. in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), only one source reasonably available. http://www.geometrics.com/geometrics-products/seismographs/geoeel-solid-digital-streamer/ The GeoEel is the smallest diameter streamer in the industry (44.5mm). Competitor systems are much larger and were designed for large ship operations and are therefore not suitable for small vessel use.

Other interested parties may contact the Contracting Officer at jcaravelli@usgs.gov before the closing date of this announcement for additional information or to submit a capability statement. Capability statements will be evaluated solely to determine whether a competitive opportunity exists; quotations are not solicited at this time. PSC 6675, drafting, surveying, and mapping instruments. NAICS 334519, other measuring and controlling device manufacturing. Small business size standard 500 employees.

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