20--Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

This Presolicitation Notice is to announce that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center (UMESC) is proposing to negotiate a contract with BioSonics, Inc. of Seattle, WA on a sole source basis for a 9-week lease of One (1) DT-X surface unit with BioSonics Acquisition Software, Two (2) 200 kHz DT-X split-beam digital transducers with integrated orientation sensor, Two (2) 100 DT-X signal deck cables, Two (2) Aluminum swivel transducer mounts (small), and a 6-Week Lease of Two (2) DT-X surface units with BioSonics Acquisition Software, Four (4) 200 kHz DT-X split-beam digital transducers with integrated orientation sensor, Two (2) 100 DT-X signal deck cables, Two (2) 150 DT-X signal deck cables and Four (4) Aluminum swivel transducer mounts (small). The reasons justifying this lack of competition is based on the following description of the specific qualifications the Government requires of the BioSonic software, transducers, sensors and accessories to meet its minimum need, and the factors the Government will use to evaluate the information submitted by firms in response to this Notice: All BioSonics equipment and software is proprietary in nature, and USGS currently owns equipment that was purchased through this vendor, and any remaining necessities must be purchased from this vendor as well. The USGS has no knowledge of authorized resellers of BioSonics equipment. The use of this equipment and software will maintain the integrity of the data and the project, to ensure that there is no conflict in the standards. In order to be responsive to this Notice, a firm must provide the appropriate capability statement for consideration by 10:00 am (MT) on April 29, 2013. Responses that do not comply with these procedures will not be considered. Requests for information and subsequent responses may be emailed or mailed to the point-of-contact specified below. Firms are cautioned that this is not a solicitation. All costs associated with providing information as requested by this notice shall be the responsibility of the responding firm. A determination not to compete the described purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government.