Remote Automated Weather Stations - Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The US Forest Service (FS), Alaska Region, Tongass National Forest, intends to award a sole source, firm-fixed price purchase order as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.106-1 (b)(1), to FTS Forest Technology Systems Ltd., 410 1065 Henry Eng Place, Victoria, BC V9B 6B2.

The Forest Service has a requirement for new Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) for the fire program on the Tongass National Forest (Tongass NF). The Forest Service utilizes automated weather stations to measure critical weather data in remote locations throughout the Tongass NF. The weather data from these stations is used to predict daily fire danger. This data is archived at the FAM/WEB data warehouse and is available for other critical agency applications.

Remote weather stations must meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) RAWS standards as defined in NWCG publication PMS 426-3 (May, 2008). Because these RAWS are located in very remote areas of the forest, they are required to transmit their data through the Geostationary Orbiting Earth Satellite (GOES), owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA standards are very restrictive as to the requirements on the type and quality of data allowed on their satellite systems. Through a NOAA agreement, only two private vendors have had authorization to transmit weather data through the GOES. These two vendors are Vaisala and Forest Technology Systems (FTS).

The RAWS Depot in Boise, Idaho only services Vaisala and FTS weather stations. The only model of Vaisala stations that the Depot will service is the 555 data collection platform. But on December 31, 2015, the Depot will no longer provide maintenance support for the Vaisala 555 date collection platform. As a result, FTS will be the only source for remote weather stations supported by the Depot.

The upgrade to FTS brand of RAWS comes in two different models. The Tongass NF will purchase one or more of these models, depending upon their needs.
• FTS Upgrade. The frame and some components left over from a former Vaisala RAWS are used to connect to a new FTS control center.
• Full FTS Replacement. FTS provides all new control center, components, and frame to establish a RAWS.

This is not a request for quote. No package is available for competitive quotes. No quotes are being solicited by the Government at this time. The Government is seeking up to three RAWS but could increase the quantity of RAWS dependent on funding; however, the total cost will not exceed $150,000. The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is: 334519. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted no later than 2 pm, Alaska Time, on 17 August 2015. Point of contact for this requirement is Shelly Berna, Contract Specialist, at smberna@fs.fed.us or 907-747-4402. Reference solicitation AG-0114-S-15-0007.