Baseline Surface Radiation Network

***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 the Environment Canada (EC) Air Quality Research Branch, which is a division of the Government of Canada, to collect Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) data at the Alert Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) station. *** The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) requirement for collection and transmission of BSRN data. EC is the only known contractor that has access and availability to the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) instrumentation and data at the Alert Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) station. The period of performance will May 15, 2010 through May 14, 2011. ***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.