Sole Source Synopsis - NWS Climatological Weather Observations

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division (WAD) intends to award, on a sole source basis, a contract to Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center Inc. with one (1) 12-month base period and one (1) 12-month option period under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The scope of services includes weather observations and maintaining a climatological record at the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center located in Milton, MA in support of the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) - Eastern Region.

Sole Source Justification:

The Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center has a long-term agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to provide all public programming in the facility. Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center also provides the maintenance for the building and the grounds that surround it. Access to and from the building where observations are taken is controlled by the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center. Accordingly, access to and from the Observatory and instrument shelter is an issue, including issuance of passes, badges, separate keys for those areas of the building used by NWS, and security. Therefore, anybody other than an NWS employee or observer provided by the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center would not be acceptable.

This is a historical weather site that has existed at this location with very little change in condition dating back to 1885. This site must remain at this location and be staffed by personnel with authorized access to the facility in order to provide weather observations and a continuous climatological record that are of value to the NWS, NOAA or any other users of this data. Moving the site to any other location would invoke a change to the record that would cast doubt on its accuracy, usefulness and longevity, and result in a degradation of service and information of value to the science community. The observations must remain at this location to be of use and maintain a continuous record dating back to 1885 in pristine condition. Any other location would induce doubt or question into the record validity rendering it a questionable dataset for long-term climate trends.

Additionally, in a letter dated January 29, 1999, Dr. William Minsinger, President of the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center, expressed uneasiness at the prospect of non-NWS and Blue Hill personnel using its facilities. He expressed that letting other contractor personnel with which they are not familiar with into its land, facilities, etc., was not a feasible option. Because of this, Dr. Minsinger also indicated the willingness of the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center to obtain the contract themselves to take on the responsibilities of the observational work. Dr. Minsinger has since provided an updated letter explaining Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center’s sole source work over the last 26 years.

Special Notice:

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit offers. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive offers. However, any firm that believes it can meet this requirement may provide written notification with corresponding substantiation documentation to the Contracting Officer. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Responses must be sent via e-mail to: hannah.montoya@noaa.gov within ten (10) calendar days of this notice. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

WAD requires that all firms doing business with this office be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a firm not registered in SAM.