NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Springer Customer Service Center, 15-17 Tiergartenstrasse 69121 Heidelberg, Germany, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide open access to 15 published paper in an issue of the journal Estuaries and Coasts. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b), only one responsible source. The requested papers in the journal Estuaries and Coasts focuses on the impacts of hardened shorelines on estuarine ecosystems and highlights the results from a 5-year study funded by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. The results of the project have direct applicability to decisions about shoreline management and permitting of shoreline alterations. By allowing open access, the results will be widely available for managers and policymakers who might not otherwise subscribe to the scientific journal. Springer is the publisher of Estuaries and Coasts. The Estuaries and Coasts journal provides open access for published articles for a fee, payable to the publisher. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 511130 with a business size standard of 1000 employees. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. A statement of capabilities must be received by 11:00AM Eastern, March 26, 2018. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to provide the required services. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to
[email protected] by 9:00 AM Eastern, March 26, 2018.