R -- AIRBORNE MEASUREMENTS OF FINE PARTICLE BULK CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

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 Georgia Institute of Technology for airborne measurements of chemical composition. Instrumentation will be deployed on the NOAA WP-3D aircraft and mass concentrations of aerosol particle ionic compounds will be measured via a Particle into Liquid Sampler (PILS) coupled with a dual channel ion chromatograph (IC). The water-soluble carbonaceous fraction of fine particles will be measured with a PILS coupled to Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer. The data will be gathered as part of the Gulf of Mexico Atmospheric Composition and Climate Study (GoMACCS).This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE $100K). The fast-response PILS developed by Georgia Tech is the only instrument with the capabilities NOAA requires and it is certified by NOAA Aircraft Operations Center for operation on NOAA’s WP-3D research aircraft and is the only source for this procurement. This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. 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. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to the attention of Ms. Rima (e-mail preferred). Anticipated award date is June 14, 2006.