NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition, Accountability, and Analysis Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); with The Pacific Pilotage Authority of Canada for Maritime Pilot services during transit through the Canadian Inside Passage. Certified Maritime Pilots maintain a broad knowledge of local waterborne and navigational hazards; navigational routes and traffic patterns, and other local hazards presenting potential issues to marine egress. Sole Source Justification The sole source determination is based on NOAA vessels occasionally transiting through certain waterways which present or may contain specific waterborne hazards or navigational complexities. In the event that NOAA vessels rarely transit these waterways, command can choose to mitigate risk by hiring local certified maritime pilots which maintain specialized knowledge and certifications. Certification requirements for maritime pilots can include having a minimum number of days on a specific local coast as a Master, or a combination of time periods serving as both a Master and holding a Watchkeeping Mate’s certificate, or a specific time frame on a local coast holding a Watchkeeping Mate’s certificate. Maritime Pilots are hired through specific pilot associations, typically maintained near complex shipping routes or hazardous waterways around the world. Special Notice This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment or service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation 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. Responses can be sent via e-mail to
[email protected]. 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. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1600 PM PDT on Mar 31, 2023. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Incomplete statements do not warrant consideration. All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: NM-AN2150-23-00829 Project Title: NOAAS Fairweather Maritime Pilot Services – Canadian Inside Passage FY23 NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition, Accountability, and Analysis Branch requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company unless registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a valid Tax ID number and obtain a government-provided Unique Entity Identifier, which is available through SAM.gov. Update 20-Mar-2023: Added a signed Justification for other than full and open competition utilizing the authority listed under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); clarified the business name.