IAW FAR 19.502-2 this is a Sources Sought Notice to assist in the determination of Small Business interest and capability to fulfill this requirement. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No contract will be awarded as a result of this Sources Sought announcement. The United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Acquisition and Grants is requesting information from qualified sources; the results of this announcement will be evaluated to determine if there are small businesses capable of fulfilling this requirement.

Background:

NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) aims to conduct continuous field monitoring and regular discrete sampling in natural Atlantic surfclam habitats to better understand the effects of climate change (specifically ocean acidification) on local surfclam populations. A critical component of this research is the deployment of three (3) sondes capable of fine scale continuous monitoring of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chlorophyll at three (3) sandy, coastal sites.

A 3-year project is beginning in which 2 locations in coastal Massachusetts and 1 location in Long Island, NY will be monitored continuously to study factors relating to ocean acidification. Parameters that will need to be measured are: temperature, salinity (conductivity), dissolved oxygen, pH, and chlorophyll. The sensors will be anchored to the bottom (mostly sandy areas with few rocks) that will be accessible during low tide. Data will be offloaded every 1-2 months onto a tablet.

The vendor shall have the capability to provide three (3) sondes that meet or exceed the salient characteristics and functional requirements as attached to this notice.

Interested parties may submit a brief capability statement, no more than three (3) single-sided pages, demonstrating how they are capable of meeting this requirement, including salient characteristics. Standard brochures may be considered sufficient to demonstrate the capabilities of an interested party if the brochure demonstrates the ability of the sonde to meet or exceed the salient characteristics as attached.

Capability statements should include the following:

(1) Name of business.

(2) Contact information (address, telephone, e-mail, website address)

(3) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) , Business size and classification e.g., Small business, 8(a),

HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged business, Small Disadvantaged Veteran Owned business, and Women Owned small

business; or Large Business.

(4) Technical description of ability to meet the requirement.

(5)Completed and signed copy of the attached Salient Characteristics demonstrating the company's ability to meet the requirement.

Companies shall submit electronic copies of their respective capability statements to Sandra Caswell at

sandra.caswell@noaa.gov no later than 23 February with Subject Line: Sources Sought Sondes.

Feedback and/or evaluation information will not be provided to any firm regarding their individual capability statements. Telephone calls,facsimiles, and/or requests for a solicitation will not be accepted or acknowledged.