Replacement of deep water temperature recorders

The National Park Service intends to award a sole source contract with Sea-Bird Electronics for the purchase of twelve (12) SBE-39 Temperature Recorders for Crater Lake National Park. Sea-Bird Electronics has been determined as the only firm uniquely qualified to supply this equipment under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 (only one responsible source will satisfy the agency's requirements). Only one thermister meets the above specifications needed for monitoring deepwater temperature at Crater Lake, SeaBird Electronics' SBE-39 Temperature Recorder. The SBE39's inherent accuracy, resolution, and stability, combined with a rigorous 11-point temperature calibration, yield a true research-quality thermister. Because the thermisters used at Crater Lake have already been replaced over the years with this specific model (SBE-39), the remaining thermisters need to be replaced with the same unit. This allows the new thermisters to be seamlessly merged with the existing pool of instruments. The new thermisters need to be directly compatible and directly comparable to the thermisters that have already been replaced. The same model thermister is also needed so that a single software package can be used for programming, downloading, and calibrating all thermisters (software is unique to each manufacturer), to allow for the same mounting hardware on deepwater moorings, and to standardize replacement parts, maintenance schedules, battery replacement, and equipment manuals. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. Responsible firms may submit a letter of interest and statement of capability/qualifications by the closing date of this notice which will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.