Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole-Source Contract - AFFF Bladder replacement - NOAAS Thomas Jefferson

NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition, Accountability, and Analysis Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Hiller Systems, of Norfolk, Virginia, for the purchase of one (1) Ansul 100-gallon Aqueous Foam Fire Fighting tank bladder with installation. The NOAA research vessel Thomas Jefferson is equipped with a shipboard fire fighting system that includes an Ansul Aqueous Film-Forming Foam injection system. The percentage of film-forming foam has a set threshold and the current system no longer meets that threshold and the Ansul foam tank bladder has been compromised. The fire fighting systems are required to meet USCG Type Approval and to receive a Certificate of Approval with annual recertifications.

Sole Source Justification

The sole source determination is based on the requirement of certain NOAA research vessels being equipped with Ansul Aqueous Film-Forming Fire Foam systems for shipboard fire suppression operations. Occasionally, these systems need servicing and/or overhaul. This work and replacement parts shall be provided by an Ansul-authorized servicing dealer.  Ansul maintains a network of servicing dealers who specialize in various components and systems designed and manufactured by Ansul. Certain servicing dealers have specialized capacity for inspection, testing, servicing, and recertification of maritime fire suppression systems. These dealers are familiar with the USCG type approvals and testing requirements for such systems.

Special Notice

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment or service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation 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. Responses can be sent via e-mail to jason.jenks@noaa.gov. 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 and phone calls will not be accepted.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1600 PM PDT on Feb 02, 2023. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Incomplete statements do not warrant consideration.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: NM-AN2120-23-00506

Project Title: NOAA Thomas Jefferson AFFF Tank Bladder Replacement – FY23

NOAA's Marine Operations Center - Acquisition, Accountability, and Analysis Branch 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 unless registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a valid Tax ID number and obtain a government-provided Unique Entity Identifier, which is available through SAM.gov.