AIR SAMPLING IN IOWA AND ILLINOIS

***NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with M & M Aviation Services Limited for services to carry out atmospheric research air sampling flights to collect air samples and meteorological data from a specified sequence of altitudes over a fixed geographic locations in Iowa & Illinois (approximately 4 miles north of West Branch, Iowa and approximately 6 miles South-Southeast of Homer, Illinois). ***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) experience with M & M Aviation Services Ltd and the need to maintain consistent high-quality measurements for a period of many years. M & M Aviation Services has modified its aircraft to install the instrumentation and equipment required to collect and document the data collected. M & M Aviation Services is the only known operator available that meets the technical requirements for the areas in Iowa and Illinois where the flights will take place. The period of performance is two years from award under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the service that fully meets 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.