Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Tug Services in Cleveland for NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOAA's Marine Operations Acquisitions Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Great Lakes Towing of Cleveland Ohio to provide tug services to the NOAA ship Thomas Jefferson while the ship is moored at the Great Lakes Towing pier. A tug is vital to supporting ship movement through the waterway in and out of the facility. The unpredictability of Old River traffic and close services being provided under the existing moorage contract make close coordination between the ship and the tug provider critical. Great Lakes has already successfully provided services on short notice. The sole source determination is based on the need to closely coordinate ship moorage services and tug services through a single source on a short notice basis. 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.