Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Installation of NOAA Science On a Sphere® (SOS) Exhibit
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- REQUIREMENTS-25-5029
- Agency
-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334310 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Suitland, Maryland 20746, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under the Department of Commerce, has published a Special Notice of Intent to Sole Source a contract for the installation of a Science On a Sphere (SOS) exhibit at the NSOF facility. This acquisition will be conducted as a firm-fixed-price contract using simplified procedures under FAR Part 12 for commercial products and services. The agency intends to negotiate exclusively with BWC Visual Technology (B/W Color Prints LLC) of Arvada, Colorado, based on justification that this vendor is the sole authorized distributor and installer of SOS technology in North America. The contract encompasses a complete turnkey installation including proprietary SOS hardware, specialized technical installation services, and ancillary work such as electrical setup, structural anchoring, and security-integrated glass door installation. This notice was posted on February 6, 2026, with a response deadline of February 23, 2026.
NOAA's objective is to procure a comprehensive Science On a Sphere installation that requires exclusive access to proprietary components including the "Wibu Dongle" hardware key and the patented "Alignment Pro" remote calibration system, both of which are exclusively held and distributed by BWC Visual Technology under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA CR-188). While this is structured as a sole-source procurement, FAR standards permit all responsible sources to submit capability statements, proposals, or quotations for consideration, though only BWC possesses the legal rights and authorized technical support necessary to fulfill the agency's specific requirements. Interested contractors should note the February 23, 2026 deadline for submissions and recognize that the proprietary nature of the SOS technology and its exclusive distribution arrangement severely limits competitive participation in this opportunity. Eligibility to bid is technically open to all responsible sources, but practical participation is effectively limited to the authorized vendor due to the exclusive licensing and intellectual property restrictions governing the required components and technical expertise.
Notice text
Description: The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) intends to solicit and negotiate a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract with BWC Visual Technology (B/W Color Prints LLC), Arvada, CO (UEI: ZL2ML4LNA3M3).
The requirement is for a turnkey installation of the Science On a Sphere® (SOS) exhibit at the NSOF facility. This includes proprietary SOS hardware, specialized technical installation, and ancillary site preparation (electrical, structural anchoring, and security-integrated glass doors).
Proposed Procedure: This acquisition will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12, using simplified procedures for the acquisition of commercial products and services as authorized by FAR 12.201-1.
Statutory Authority: This proposed contract action is for supplies and services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.103-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."
Justification for Non-Competitive Action: BWC Visual Technology is the only authorized distributor and installer of the Science On a Sphere® technology in North America, as formalized under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) CR-188. The system requires the proprietary "Wibu Dongle" hardware key and the patented "Alignment Pro" remote calibration system (U.S. Patent No. 18/188,075), both of which are exclusively held and distributed by BWC. No other vendor has the legal right to provide these components or the authorized technical support required for the SOS codebase.
Notice to Interested Sources: This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotations. However, in accordance with FAR standards, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.
Information received will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.
Response Instructions: Interested parties must submit a written capability statement demonstrating their legal and technical ability to provide the proprietary SOS hardware and patented alignment technology identified above.
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