A -- Whole Air Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds during the TexAQSII 2006 Field Study

In the absence of other qualified sources, it is the intent of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL)/Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) to negotiate with the University of Miami, located at 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida for Whole Air Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds during the TEXAQSII 2006 Field Study. BACKGROUND: NOAA is conducting a major field study in east Texas during the summer of 2006 in collaboration with several U.S. federal agencies, foreign research institutions, and university researchers. During this study a NOAA WP-3D research aircraft will be used to perform chemical and meteorological measurements throughout the study region. To meet the study objectives this aircraft will be equipped with a comprehensive array of chemical and meteorological sensors. These instruments have been specifically designed or modified for use on NOAA's WP-3D research aircraft. REQUIREMENT: NOAA requires a contractor with a flight-ready instrument capable of collecting 80 Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) samples per flight using remotely-actuated, electropolished, stainless steel canisters during the 2006 field study in eastern Texas August 1 – September 15, 2006. The system must be completely autonomous and certified for operation in the unpressurized AMPS-ESI wing pod on the NOAA WP-3D research aircraft. The samples collected must be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with seven days of collection and individual VOCs quantified. The contractor will be required to provide preliminary services leading up to the study (instrument calibration, integration into the aircraft payload. etc.) and sample analysis during and after the study. The contractor will also be required to perform data reduction and analysis after the collection of the data. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contract to be negotiated shall run from 06/01/2006 through 05/30/2008. There will be two periods of performance. The base period (06/01/2006 - 05/30/2007) will cover the following five tasks: (1) Instrument preparation of sample canisters, (2) Participation in test flights, (3) Collection of samples during field campaign, (4) Determination of trace gas concentrations and (5) Preparation and delivery of analytical results to data archive. The option period (06/01/2007 - 05/30/2008) will cover the final task (6) Data Analysis, presentation and publication. SOLE SOURCE: The only contractor that can provide these services for the 2006 field study is the University of Miami (UM) for the following reasons: A. UM currently owns the only VOC sampling system certified for operation on the NOAA WP-3D research aircraft in the AMPS-ESI wing pod. B. The UM VOC sampling system is called a Whole Air Sampler (WAS). The WAS is capable of collecting 80 VOC samples per flight using stainless steel electropolished canisters. C. The WAS is capable of autonomous as well as remotely triggered on-demand sampling. D. UM has the facilities and staff necessary to provide rapid transportation, sample analysis and canister cleaning for the collected samples. E. UM employs Dr. Elliot Atlas, an expert in VOC collection and data analysis. Dr. Atlas developed the WAS system and has successfully operated it on prior NOAA missions. Dr. Atlas has demonstrated his expertise in the interpretation of VOC data, including an understanding of the role of these compounds in the complex chemistry of ozone and fine particle formation through an extensive publication record in the peer-reviewed literature. In summary, the University of Miami is the only responsible source to provide the needed instrument and services for the NOAA mission requirements. This is not a formal solicitation. This notice may represent the only notice. See Numbered Note 22. AWARD WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.