Riptide micro unmanned underwater vehicles

Synopsis:  Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract

Announcement Number: 1305M2-20-01284 

Project Title: Riptide Micro Unmanned Underwater Vehicle                             

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 BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc., 36 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, MA 02360, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide two (2) unmanned underwater vehicles (micro UUV) that include a camera and lighting payload to collect optical imagery of the seabed to depths of 300 meters.  The Riptide vehicle camera and lighting system exceeds 6 megapixel, has a 65 degree field of view and the navigation is Attitude-Heading Response System based.  And the Riptide is deployable by hand.  NCCOS routinely collects georeferenced, underwater photographs and videos in >50 m depths. This information is used to create GIS ready products (e.g., benthic habitat) in support of marine management informational needs and decision making processes. The Riptide microUUVs will allow a more efficient and cost effective way to collect this information up to 300 m depths in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).  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 334511, Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing with a business size standard of 1,250 employees.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on FedBizOpps.

Although 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.  However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Lynne Phipps, lynne.phipps@noaa.gov

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:  Announcement Number: 1305M2-20-01284.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 011:00 AM EDT on July 30, 2020.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

The solicitation will remain open from July 15, 2020 to July 30, 2020