Physical oceanographic modeling

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT
The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Dept. of Engineering Science and Physics, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York (CUNY), Staten Island, New York, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide Physical Oceanographic Modeling. The contractor will be responsible for extraction of temperature and ocean current fields from altimetry, extraction of ocean current fields from theHYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), and running an algorithm to quantify mesoscale features in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Specifically, the contractor will quantify mesoscale features in the GOM from 2010 to 2015 using the methods described in Domingues et. al. (2016). Sea surface height derived from satellite altimetry and surface geostrophic velocity magnitude calculated from the geostrophic balance of pressure gradient and Coriolis will be sed to classify 600 grid cells into one of five categories of mesoscale oceanographic features. In addition to the five categories, the oceanographic output will include position, radius, amplitude, lifetime, geostrophic swirl velocity, mean propagation speed, and nonlinearity.

The contractor will also run an individual-based biophysical model to backtrack larval fish chosen for biological analysis, and the contractor will be responsible for adjusting the individualbased biophysical model to make the biophysical simulation realistic according to the early life history of the targeted species. Specifically, contractor will need to use the Connectivity Modeling System (Paris et. al., 2013) to backtrack each larva chosen for biological analysis throughout its larval life. This will provide a probabilistic estimate of residence time for each larva in the various mesoscale features. The individual-based biophysical model will use fields from GOM-HYCOM to force the individual-based biophysical model. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541360 with a business size standard of $15.0 million. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. A statement of capabilities must be received by 04:00 pm, August 17, 2017. 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. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to provide the required services. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to linda.mullen@noaa.gov by 04:00 pm, August 17, 2017.