66 -- ULTRA HIGH SENSITIVITY AEROSOL SPECTROMETER

The U. S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), with Particle Metrics, Inc. for the purchase of an ultra high sensitivity aerosol spectrometer(UHSAS). The UHSAS will be used in the NOAA P-3 aircraft, and because of the high speed of the aircraft and the variability in particle concentrations near industrial sources, very fast time response is needed. Therefore, it is essential that the system meets or exceeds the following specifications:1) Capable of measuring particle size between 0.06 and 1.0 um diameter. 2) Size resolution of at least 15 size bins per decade of particle size. 3) Capable of measuring the above size range with one second time response. 4) Less than 10 percent counting error for particle concentration ranges from 100 to 2000 particles per cubic centimeter (2,800,000 to 57,000,000 per cubic foot) of air. 5) Capable of measuring over the altitude range of the P-3 aircraft, from the surface to 25,000 feet (1013 to 300 hPa atmospheric pressure). This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE 100K). This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Based on our market research, Particle Metrics, Inc. is the only vendor who can meet all of the requirements of this procurement. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Terms and Conditions can be found on http://www.arnet.gov/far/ and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/conops/reflib/alp1296.htm. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to Ms. Rima (e-mail preferred). Anticipated award date is March 7, 2005.