Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Description: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE

The US Forest Service (USFS), Procurement & Property Services (PPS), Incident Procurement Operations (IPO), At Incident Management Support Branch (AIMS), intends to issue a Firm Fixed Priced contract under the authority 41 U.S.C. § 1901 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures up to $7.5 million, as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a), on or about August 31, 2025 to Met One Instruments, Inc. for the USDA Forest Service (USDA-FS), Rocky Mountain Fire Cache (RMFC) located in Lakewood, CO.

The intent of this requirement is to provide Met One Instruments Inc., Wild Fire (WF) EBAM and WF E-Sampler, Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Smoke Monitor replacement and proprietary support to include calibration, software upgrades, repair, and parts for Met One smoke monitor units currently in USDA-FS inventory. These smoke monitors play a critical role in prescribed and wildfire smoke measurements as part of the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program (IWFAQRP) housed at the RMFC. The PM-2.5 capable systems include WF E-Sampler (all versions), WF E-BAM (all versions), Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) Monitor, Swift 6.0, and Swift 20/25 smoke monitoring devices. These smoke monitoring devices are equipped with sharp cut PM-2.5 cyclones, relative humidity sensors, wind speed and direction sensors, and Geostationary Satellite Server (GOES) transmitting options used for smoke particulate sampling in and around wildland fire operations. These monitors are used nationally to monitor smoke in real-time from prescribed and wildland fires. The information from the monitors is used by air quality specialists and fire personnel to assess the impacts from smoke on local communities as guided by Congressional direction.

The PPS, IPO, AIMS intends to non-competitively award this requirement to Met One Instruments, Inc.  The required equipment, parts, and services are proprietary to Met One Instruments, Inc. and there are no other authorized vendors by Met One Instruments to provide the mission critical supplies and services.  Furthermore, Met One parts and equipment are compatible in all aspects with existing systems/equipment presently in use, allowing personnel in the field to interchange parts in the event of mission critical, impromptu field repairs, maintaining continuity of service during fire mission times. No other manufacturer is compatible or can interchange with Met One Instruments, Inc. proprietary systems without voiding existing warranties and posing safety risks to equipment and operators.  As a result, any vendor other than Met One Instruments, Inc. capable of providing a comparable model or services would not be approved by the manufacturer or per established USFS equipment approvals.  Met One Instruments, Inc. is the only source capable of providing the authorized required equipment, parts, and services to maintain the safety of personnel, equipment, continuity of service, and the uninterrupted operation and mission readiness during fire seasons.  

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334519 with the size standard of 500 employees. This notice of intent is not a request for proposals or quotes. However, all responsible sources may submit an offer and capabilities/narrative that proves by clear and convincing evidence that detail their ability to provide WF EBAM and WF E-Sampler, Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Smoke Monitors and proprietary support to include calibration, software upgrades, repair, and parts authorized by Met One Instruments, Inc.  If said OFFER and capabilities/narrative is received within fifteen (15) calendar days of publication of this notice, the narrative will be considered by the CO. All responses must be submitted to the Government point of contact at the email address shown below. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will  be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Attachedment 1: "1202SC25Q2701 - FAR 6 and 13.5 Justification & Approval"