SOLE SOURCE: EXAIL INC. FOR SERVICES TO TEST, EVALUATE AND INTEGRATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FISHERIES ECHOSOUNDER ON A USV

***THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION’S (NOAA) ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, EASTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-NORFOLK, INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF RFO FAR 6.103-1, WITH EXAIL INC. FOR SERVICES TO TEST, EVALUATE AND INTEGRATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FISHERIES ECHOSOUNDER ON A USV CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING SURVEY ACTIVITIES IN TANDEM WITH NOAA VESSELS TO INCREASE SURVEY EFFICIENCY. THE WORK WILL BE USED TO EVALUATE THE VIABILITY OF USING USVS WORKING TOGETHER WITH NOAA VESSELS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF ACOUSTIC-TRAWL SURVEYS, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE FOR FISHERIES ACOUSTIC SURVEYS AND THE OFFICE OF MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS. NO SET ASIDE IS TO BE USED FOR THIS SOLE SOURCE REQUIREMENT. THE ASSOCIATED NAICS CODE IS 541715, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHYSICAL, ENGINEERING, AND LIFE SCIENCES. ***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON NOAA’S REQUIREMENT THAT EXAIL IS THE ONLY SOURCE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES REQUIRED AT THE LEVEL OF QUALITY REQUIRED BECAUSE THE TECHNICAL SERVICES ARE HIGHLY SPECIALIZED. THE EXISTING VEHICLES ARE MANUFACTURED AND PROVIDED BY EXAIL. THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR THE TESTING, EVALUATION AND INTEGRATION OF NEW EQUIPMENT INTO THE PRE-EXISTING VEHICLES, WHICH CAN ONLY BE CONDUCTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS PARTICULAR SOURCE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE REQUIREMENT. EXAIL HAS NO AUTHORIZED PARTNERS OR RESELLERS WHO CAN PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: DATE OF AWARD THROUGH ONE (1) YEAR. ***THIS PRESOLICITATION NOTICE 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 OR A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE. SUCH REQUESTS AND 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.