Technical and Analytical Support Services

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington DC for technical and analytical support services for the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Observations (IWGOO). The IWGOO manages the interagency coordination of the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which is a coordinated network of people and technology that work together to generate and disseminate continuous data, information, models, products and services for our coastal waters, ecosystems, Great Lakes and oceans. The services required will support the IWGOO, whose purpose is to advise and assist the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology on matters related to ocean observations. There is no other entity that can provide the expertise and the data needed for this requirement in the time frame required. The COL is uniquely positioned to provide the multi-agency perspective required by the 17 federal agencies requesting these services. COL has been serving the IWGOO by providing expertise in areas of science, technologies, industry engagement, and user needs in the initial phases of the IWGOO priorities and work plan for FY2009. Through more than ten years of support to federal ocean observing programs, COL is well versed in interagency support, interagency and inter-sector meeting planning, and has the network in place to reach constituents key to the success of a National IOOS. If the government were to choose another vendor, the project would be delayed for 6 to 9 months while the vendor conducted research, developed new contacts and engagement strategies consistent with ocean priorities for all of the 17 IWGOO federal agencies. All 17 Federal Agencies have agreed to have COL coordinate the different agency perspectives into common IWGOO recommendations. Notwithstanding the Government's intent to negotiate this requirement on a single sole source basis under the authority of 41 USC 253 (c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, responsible sources may submit a statement of qualifications which, if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. Responses must be received by noon, February 20, 2009. Responses may be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 301-713-0806.