Notice of Intent to Sole Source - MACH Autonomous Mobility

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisitions Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with MACH Acquisition, Inc. of West Des Moines, Iowa for the acquisition of one (1) each MACH AM Autonomous Hydrographic Survey Launch Suite with two (2) each licenses.

The sole source determination is based on the requirement for compatibility to existing systems. The autonomy system is currently installed on two NOAA hydrographic survey launches, and is contracted to be installed on a third in the upcoming year, were designed, manufactured, and installed by MACH (Then LSA) Autonomy according to NOAA’s specific requirement under contract EA133C17SE1303, which was fully and openly competed in 2018. The autonomy system does not have a commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) equivalent and includes proprietary software and hardware components. There are is no other responsible source and no other type of supplies or services that will satisfy the agency requirements for necessary updates and technical support of the system.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not 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 discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.