Description
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS), Office of Systems Development Ground Systems (OSD), requires a single contractor to provide the replacement units for the outdated Multi-Mission L&S Band Receivers (ML&SBR) in use by the Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) ground system. At this time, the Government is conducting market research. This is not a request for proposals, only a Request for Information (RFI). Background The outdated L&S Band Receivers mentioned in the description are currently part of the active ground system equipment at the NOAA/NESDIS Command Data and Acquisition Stations (CDAS) located at Fairbanks, Alaska and Wallops, Virginia. The specific receiver/demodulator to be replaced is a Microdyn 700-MR. Replacement parts and general support service for the 700 MR is uncertain. Because of the uncertainty of support, NOAA/NESDIS is seeking supportable drop-in replacement units. A draft ML&SBR specification can be provided upon request. Scope The contractor will be required to provide the following services to NOAA/NESDIS: 1. Provide 25 functionally identical drop-in units replacing the Microdyn 700 MR units, provide 5 spare units and optionally provide 5 additional units for a secondary antenna system 2. The replacement units must be compatible with existing system interfaces and not cause modifications to other existing components. 3. The contractor shall remove the existing units, install and integrate the replacement units. 4. The contractor shall provide any software-driver modules required to interface with the existing antenna system. Purpose/Specific Request The purpose of this request for information is to determine (i) if there are sources capable of satisfying any or all of the Government’s requirements, (ii) the clarity, feasibility, and scope of the Government’s requirements, (iii) if there are potential alternative means of meeting the Government’s requirements by receiving comments from industry. Industry capability is to be assessed based on the following factors: (A) Equipment Specification, (B) direct corporate experience from past efforts. Please provide a point of contact (name and phone number), (C) key personnel (please include a brief curriculum vitae), and (D) a statement of capabilities. In addition to comments, those interested are requested to provide a budgetary estimate for tasks that your organization is capable of performing. Interested sources are also requested to provide information regarding any published or catalog price lists for labor categories relevant to the services. Your response should identify your business size (large or small) in relation to this NAICS Code. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 541990 and the small business size standard is $6.5 million. If your company has revenue equal to or exceeding $6.5 million you are considered a large business. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this sources sought or Government use of any information provided. The Government will not pay for information or comments provided and will not recognize any costs associated with submission of comments. Responses must be submitted in writing (two copies) and must include all information cited herein. Submission shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA, NESDIS Acquisition Management Division, SSMC 3 – Room 10100/OFA 64, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Attention: Janet Hannah. Responses are due no later than 2:30 pm local time on August 31, 2006. Telephone responses are not acceptable. All interested parties may submit a response that will be considered by the Government. This notice seeking sources is not a request for competitive proposals. The information received may be used to determine an acquisition strategy and for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.