R -- Ice Coring and Drilling Services

The National Science Foundation intends to solicit and award NSF Contract No. OPP-0003289, Modification No. Ten (010) on a sole-source basis to the University of Wisconsin -- Madison to complete the design, test, and development of the Next Generation Deep Ice Core Drill; to include testing of the drill assembly in the summer of 2005 at the Foundation’s research station at Summit, Greenland (located at 72.6 degrees north latitude, 38.5 degrees west longitude), and other ice core drilling services. An increased performance period of 15.5 months is anticipated, from June 16, 2005 through September 30, 2006. Also, during this period the Foundation plans to publish its Request for Proposals No. DCCA-050055, titled "Drilling Support for the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide Deep Drilling Project." The selected contractor will be responsible for accomplishing the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide Deep Drilling Project, to include maintenance and operation of the Next Generation Deep Ice Core Drill in conjunction with this project, and providing other related ice coring services to the Foundation on an as-needed basis. Based upon information available at this time, NSF considers the University of Wisconsin, Madison to be the only responsible source per the statutory authority at 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). Vendors that believe their firm can satisfy this requirement shall respond within forty-five days from the date this notice is published with a statement of their capabilities – including literature, brochures, and a detail narrative of their ability to perform this requirement without disruption or increased cost (to include additional costs made necessary as a result of any project transition between organizations). NSF will evaluate all responses to determine if the vendor is qualified and able to perform the required services for the stated period without adversely affecting the drill design, test and development efforts. Refer to numbered notes 22 and 25. NSF has appointed an ombudsman to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and contractors in the conduct of its acquisition activities. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the contracting officer, the Source Evaluation Board, or the selection official. Furthermore, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or the adjudication of formal contract disputes. Therefore, before consulting with any ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations in writing to the contracting officer for resolution. If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, interested parties may contact the ombudsman. Please do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer or as specified elsewhere in this document. Contact information for the National Science Foundation Ombudsman is available at the following URL: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dcca/ombud.htm.