AIR SAMPLING FLIGHTS

***NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Airtec, Inc., Hollywood, MD for services to carry out atmospheric research air sampling flights to collect air samples and meteorological data from a specified sequence of altitudes over a fixed geographic location (from the existing GMD Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network (GGGRN) near Cape May, New Jersey. ***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) experience with Airtec, Inc. and the need to maintain consistent high-quality measurements for a period of many years. Airtec, Inc. has modified its aircraft to install the instrumentation and equipment required to collect and document the data collected. Airtec, Inc. is the only known operator available that meets the technical requirements for the Cape May, New Jersey flights. The period of performance is one year from award under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.