Sole Source Purchase of Marel Marine Precision Scales

***NOAA'S ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-BOULDER, NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), WITH MAREL MARINE OUT OF SEATTLE, WA FOR THE PURCHASE OF PRECISION SCALES USED TO WEIGH FISH AND INVERTEBRATES ON FISHERY-INDEPENDENT ALASKAN FISH SURVEYS.

***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S DETERMINATION THAT MAREL MARINE IS THE ONLY COMPANY CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THESE SCALES. marel scales are entirely integrated into the fishery-independent survey activities performed by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Our software is designed to accept input from Marel scales, our tables built for weighing fish at sea are designed to accommodate Marel scales, our scientists are trained to use and troubleshoot Marel scales, and our in house at-sea documentation refers specifically to the operation of Marel scales to obtain standardized data. We own approximately 25 Marel scales, and it is essential to our survey logistics that these scales be interchangeable between surveys and between vessels. In addition, we maintain a service contract with Marel to ensure that all scales are calibrated in a standard manner every year after use at sea to providebunbiased estimates of catch weight over time. Delivery for the base period by 10/31/2020.

***THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET 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.