D -- Transmitters for the NOAA Weather Radio Network

The United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), Dissemination Systems Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with International Radio & Electronics Corp. (IREC) (dba Crown Broadcast) of Elkhart IN 46515-2000 to provide ten (10) radio transmitters and spare parts to support the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) Broadcast Network in Alaska and Puerto Rico. These transmitters broadcast to the public critical issuances of watches, warnings and other emergency hazard information over the NOAA Weather Radio. Sustaining this service is critical for the prevention of loss of life and property. This action will replace older transmitters in the areas mentioned above which are failing and the availability of parts to maintain them is increasingly harder to acquire. Crown Broadcast currently has hundreds of transmitters units already in use in association with the NWR program and is the sole manufacturer of these units. These units from Crown comply and conform to NOAA?s logistics, training, spare parts inventory and repair infrastructure currently in use in these remote sites. Selecting alternative models would result in significant costs for new training and logistical repair in these areas. In addition, these units must be in place in Alaska prior to the start of the start of the regions severe winter weather which begins in September. Vendors who believe that can satisfy the Government?s requirement are invited to submit an affirmative response. To be considered an affirmative response, vendors must submit written data and documentation which demonstrates an ability to meet the existing training, and logistical requirements aforementioned. All responsible sources must submit a written narrative statement of capability including detailed technical information and other technical literature sufficient to permit agency analysis. This is in order to determine a bona fide capability to meet the requirement. A determination by the Government not to open this requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. A firm fixed-price delivery order is contemplated for this effort. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 27 April 2007. Please submit any and all written responses to Mark Miller via e-mail at Mark.A.Miller@ noaa.gov See Note 22.