NOAA: BARON Weather Zero Balance NEXRAD Cables for the National Logistics Support Center (NLSC)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award a Total Small Business set-aside, firm fixed price contract for BARON Weather Zero Balance NEXRAD Cables for the National Weather Service (NWS) National Logistics Support Center (NLSC) in Grandview, MO. The Government intends to make an award to the responsive responsible quoter providing the best value in accordance with FAR 12.203(c)(2).

This is a Brand Name requirement. Vendors must be an authorized reseller for Baron Weather, Inc.

Brand Name Justification

The Baron Weather cables are essential to the requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs. Baron Services Cables compatibility are critical components for the function of the WSR-88D Severe Weather Radar. The cables are responsible for the command, power, control, and routing of critical data for equipment used to track severe weather patterns. Without the Baron Services cables, the National Weather Service (NWS) would be unable to

meet its Tri-Agency Agreement to provide internal and external stakeholders with spare parts for repair and replacement. During market research, RFQs were sent to mandatory sources and several manufacturers. NWS received one bid. The identified Baron Services cables are currently zero-balanced and are required to ensure the NEXRAD components and systems remain fully mission-capable. If this requirement is not solicited for the Baron Services Cables, the mission impact would be significant, as the radar system could become inoperable due to a lack of compatible repair parts. Due to the proprietary nature of the cables, all spare cables must meet NWS qualification standards. Baron Services cables meets these standards based on past performance. Qualifying an alternative source at this time is not feasible, as the necessary testing and acceptance process would require significant funding and labor resources from the NWS NEXRAD Retrofit Management Team. For these reasons, only the Baron Services cables are acceptable for this requirement.

DOC, Eastern Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. Contractors active in SAM have a unique entity identifier (UEI) that is used to do business with the federal government. The Government has moved to a free new, non-proprietary identifier that will have to be requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). You can register and access the site by going to www.sam.gov.

Please see Instructions to Offerors and full Solicitation as attached.

**Contractors who do not respond to items 1 through 9 included in the "Instructions to Offerors" may be considered non-compliant with the requirements of the solicitation and no further consideration shall be given for award.