Pre-Solicitation Notice: NOAA- Satellite Ocean Color System Vicarious Calibration – Marine Optical BuoY (MOBY) Operations and Maintenance

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) Satellite and Information Acquisition Division (SIAD) located in Silver Spring, MD, intends to award a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to the University of Miami ((located at Office of Research Administration 1531 Brescia Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33146 -2403; UEI RQMFJGDTQ5V3), on the basis of other than full and open competition in support of the NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), which provides and enables oceanographic, atmospheric, and terrestrial satellite data, products, and applications for diverse organizations and users world-wide, and the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). STAR uses innovative science and applications to transform satellite observations of the Earth into meaningful information essential to NOAA. This effort is to operate and maintain NOAA’s operational ocean color system vicarious calibration capability, the Marine Optical BuoY (MOBY), in support of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) priority 2 ocean color requirements and existing NESDIS MOUs. MOBY must continue to be metrologically traceable to SI units. If awarded, the proposed subject contract action will be awarded using the "other than full and open competition" procedures at 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by RFO Subpart 6.103-1 entitled, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This notice is not a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). However, interested parties or responsible sources who believe they can meet the operational, metrological traceability (SI units), and technical requirements of the MOBY system may submit a capability statement for consideration by the agency. Capabilities received before the closing date of this notice will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Concerned parties should address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer for resolution. Please direct any questions regarding this Presolicitation Notice to Ms. Sarah McKim, Contracting Officer at sarah.mckim@noaa.gov with a courtesy copy to Ms. Keami Estep, Contract Specialist (affiliate), at keami.estep@noaa.gov.