Borosilicate Glass Flasks

***NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Allen Scientific Glass Inc of Boulder, CO for the purchase of 155 specialized air sampling flasks. ***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) requirement for 155 two-valved air flasks with serial numbers which have been tested extensively for stability with respect to the trace gases of interest. The Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases (CCGG) group of the Global Monitoring Division (GMD)operates a global air sampling network to measure the distribution and variations of climatically important trace gases (CO2, CH4, CO, H2, N2O, SF6) and stable isotopic ratios (13C/12C, 18O/16O of CO2 in the global atmosphere. GMD has recently added measurements of the D/H rations of CH4, 14C of CO2 and 10 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the data collection efforts. These air samples are collected in 2.5 liter borosilicate glass flasks sealed by means of Teflon O-ring stopcocks and serially numbered. Because these gases are long-lived and well mixed in the atmosphere, the spatial and temporal variations are relatively small. This requires that the measurements are extremely accurate and precise, on the order of 0.03% for CO2. To obtain the needed levels of accuracy and precision, the air sample composition must not change (gain or loss of any trace gas molecules) during storage in the flasks over time periods ranging from weeks to 1.5 years. Any changes in the materials or methods used in the measurements require time-consuming testing to insure that artifacts or offsets are not introduced into the existing long time series. Subtle artifacts could lead to erroneous interpretations of the data. Therefore, it is important that the flask material be non-reactive to the stored gases and that the valve stopcocks prohibit against leakage at a wide range of altitudes and pressures. Market research has shown that these flasks are not readily available on the market and that they need to be manufactured in order to meet specifications for durability and inertness with respect to the trace gases being measured. ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment 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.