Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Heating Fuel for NOAA Kasitsna Bay Alaska Laboratory

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Business Support Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Seldovia Fuel and Lube to supply Heating Fuel for NOAA/NCCOS Kasitsna Bay Laboratory (KBL) facilities to include bulk delivery throughout year. Diesel heating fuel is used to heat nine (9) buildings at Kasitsna Bay Laboratory. Heating fuel is needed to fuel boilers at the Bunkhouse, Dormitory and Maintenance buildings, with the Dormitory boiler heating system also providing heat (via hot water lines) for the Scuba building main laboratory building and R. Geagel laboratory building. Diesel heating fuel is also used to heat two staff housing buildings and a small shop building, which were previously heated with propane heating fuel. The amount of fuel needed in a year depends on weather conditions, particularly during months when temperatures can be below freezing (generally October-April). Market fuel costs in the region have varied significantly over the past several years and sharply increased in 2021-2022. The amount of diesel fuel usage during the year also varies with changes in laboratory use, since the facility hosts visiting researchers, educators and students each year, group schedules change from year to year and use will be affected by COVID19 conditions. Kasitsna Bay Laboratory is located on the south side of Kachemak Bay which is off the main Alaska road system, and the lab is only accessed by boat or by a 9-mile gravel road from the small town of Seldovia, Alaska. Heating fuel deliveries in the wintertime can be limited by adverse weather and road conditions. Facility heating fuel (diesel) is required to heat nine buildings within the KBL campus.