Multi sediment trap to upgrade and establish US Arctic mooring observatories

Solicitation Number: NRMAH0002202125CM2Notice Type: Sources Sought SynopsisTITLE: Multi sediment trap to upgrade and establish US Arctic mooring observatoriesResponse Date: JULY 25, 2022This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS and is not a presolicitation announcement. The purpose of this Market Research and Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified U.S Domestic businesses, which could include Small Business, HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran owned, Women owned Small Business firms and even large businesses. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis will be used by the Government in making appropriate acquisition decisions.This sediment trap will be used by the Ecosystems and Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations program at NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) as part of an effort to upgrade the current US Arctic mooring array into an observatory. This observatory is coordinated with the Distributed Biological Observatory international

collaboration program to understand and quantify the changes occurring in the US Arctic.BACKGROUNDThe Distributed Biological Observatory is a unique researcher-driven establishment of a series of study regions in the US Arctic to monitor and quantify the changes occurring, occupied by national and international entities with shared survey methods and data plan. NOAA PMEL has participated in the DBO program since its inception and leads dedicated annual surveys to select sites each Fall. At present, collaborative research institutions utilize the Environmental Analytical Systems sediment trap (24 rotating bottle trap, titanium array). Previous deployments in the DBO study regions across the Bering and Chukchi Seas include three successful annual deployments at the Chukchi Ecosystem Observatory (DBO4: 2015-2016, 2018-2019, 2019-2020), two annual deployments at DBO3 (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) and two annual deployments at DBO2 (2017-2018 and 2018-2019). Currently in the water (2020-2021): one trap at DBO4 and one trap at DBO1 (M8). The requested sediment trap was used for these deployments. Utilizing the same sediment trap will provide necessary continuity at the DBO study regions - being able to work with instruments that employ the same physical setup, software and analyses is critical to the success of this project.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS1.            A sediment trap, composed of a titanium frame with a 24 rotating cup trap2.            Proven record of deployment in Arctic waters < -1°C seawater for a year3.            Small in size due to vessel-based deployment of short moorings in very shallow waters such as the Chukchi and Bering Seas.DELIVERY SCHEDULEExpected delivery no later than January 30, 2023 to Seattle, WAThe North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334519with a size standard of 500 employees.Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm's capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm's name, address, point of contact, telephone number, UEID Number, CCR Cage Number, business type and size, i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, and so forth. Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to provide the items as specified above.This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Nor does this request for information constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise that any procurement action that may be issued for the Government's requirements.No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise because of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM).NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded based on responses received to this notice.Detailed information must be submitted by email to the Purchasing Agent Casey Morris at casey.morris@noaa.gov by 1200 PM Local Mountain Time (MST), on Monday, July 25, 2022. Questions of any nature must be addressed in writing as TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE HONORED.