Weather Observations for National Weather Service

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) with Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory for one (1) base year and four (4) option years of weather observations and maintain a climatological record at the Blue Hill Observatory Science Center located in Milton, MA in support of the National Weather Service (NWS) Observations and Facilities branch.

Justification for Sole Source

The Blue Hill Observatory Science Center has a long term agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (owners of the building and formerly known as the Metropolitan District Commission) to provide all public programming in the newly renovated facility. This organization also provides the maintenance for the building and the grounds that surround it.  Access to and from the building where observations are taken is controlled by the Science Center. Accordingly, access to and from the Observatory would be an issue, including issuance of passes, badges, separate keys for those areas of the building used by NWS, and security. Therefore, anybody other than a NWS employee or observer provided by the Blue Hill Observatory Science Center would not be acceptable.

This is a historical weather site that has existed at this location with very little change in condition dating back to 1885. This site must remain at this location and be staffed by personnel who can work with access to this facility in order to provide weather observations and a continuous climatological record that are of value to the NWS, NOAA or any other users of this data. Moving the site to any other location would invoke a change to the record that would cast doubt on its accuracy, usefulness and longevity, and result in a degradation of service and information of value to the science community.  The observations must remain at this location to be of use and maintain a continuous record dating back to 1885 in pristine condition. Any other location would induce doubt or question into the record rendering it a questionable dataset for long term climate trends.

Additionally, in a letter dated January 29, 1999, Dr. William Minsinger, President of the Blue Hill Science Center, expressed their uneasiness at the prospect of non-NWS personnel using their facilities. In other words, letting contract personnel with which they are not familiar with into their land, facilities, etc., was not an option they felt comfortable with. Because of this, in his letter Dr. Minsinger also indicated the willingness of the Science Center to obtain the contract themselves to take on the responsibilities of the observational work.  Dr. Minsinger has since provided an updated letter explaining Blue Hill Observatory’s sole source work over the last 21 years.

Special Notice
This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the services may submit substantiating documentation in writing within five (5) business days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to elliott.waxman@noaa.gov. 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 response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory.

DOC, Eastern Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.