Thorlabs vytran GPX3400-SP and LDC401 fiber optic fusion splicer

***NOAA'S ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-BOULDER, EARTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH LAB (ESRL), CHEMICAL SCIENCES LAB (CSL) INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), WITH THORLABS OUT OF NEWTON, NJ FOR A VYTRAN GPX3400-SP AND LDC401 FIBER OPTIC FUSION SPLICER.

***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S (NOAA) REQUIREMENT THAT THORLABS IS THE SOLE PROVIDER OF THIS VYTRAN GPX3400-SP AND LDC401 FIBER OPTIC FUSION SPLICER AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY AUTHORIZED RESELLERS OR PARTNERS IN THE UNITED STATES. VYTRAN LLC MANUFACTURES FIBER OPTIC FUSION SPLICERS USING A PROPRIETARY SPLICING TECHNOLOGY THAT USES FILAMENT HEATERS RATHER THAN AN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE OR CO2 LASER SOURCES WHICH ARE USED BY OTHER MANUFACTURERS OF SPLICERS. THIS TYPE OF SPLICER IS REQUIRED DUE TO CSL’S NEED TO TRANSPORT AND USE THE SPLICER AT REMOTE DEPLOYMENT SITES WITH NON-IDEAL LABORATORY CONDITIONS. THE CO2 BASED SPLICERS ARE INADEQUATE DUE TO LASER SAFETY ISSUES AND THE POTENTIAL FOR NEEDING TO ALIGN THOSE LASER SYSTEMS FOLLOWING SHIPPING. IN CSL’S EXPERIENCE, ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE SPLICERS HAVE PROVEN INADEQUATE TO USE IN NON AIR-CONDITIONED SETTINGS THAT ARE TYPICAL OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT SITES. VYTRAN, A DIVISION OF THORLABS, PRODUCTS ARE VITAL TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF CSL’S MISSION.

***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.