NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), requires one (1) Klein armored side scan sonar cable, 0.40-inch BHD, 350 meters, P/N 14104200-350M, and one (1) compatible cable termination kit, BHD armored coax 0.40-inch, P/N 14102947, for NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON. The cable and termination kit are required for use with the Government-owned Klein 5900 v1 and v2 side scan sonar system. Required delivery is on or before October 13, 2026, to the Marine Operations Center - Atlantic, 439 W York Street, Norfolk, VA 23510. These supplies will be provided by Klein Marine Systems, Inc., located at 65 Parker Street, Suite 5, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950.

Klein Marine Systems, Inc. is the manufacturer of the Klein 5900 v1 and v2 side scan sonar system. The required replacement cable must interface with the existing Klein TPU and towfish, termination and tow-point attachment hardware, and the installed CLARS side scan winch and sheaves. The cable termination must also be compatible with either Focal or Alpha 8-pin sliprings.

The existing CLARS winch and sheaves are sized for a 0.40-inch cable, and the Klein 5900 v1 and v2 system requires a 50-ohm impedance match. The Government is operating near the transmission-loss limits of the cable, making the electrical and mechanical tolerances critical. Use of a cable that has not been specifically manufactured and configured for this equipment would introduce substantial uncertainty regarding signal integrity, telemetry performance, mechanical termination, and compatibility with the existing winch and slipring arrangement. A non-compatible cable could result in data loss, system failure, damage to Government equipment, or loss of the towed sonar asset.

The Government is not aware of any other source reasonably available that can provide the required cable and termination kit at the level of compatibility and performance required for the existing Klein 5900 v1 and v2 side scan sonar system.
The Government intends to acquire these supplies under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate directly with Klein Marine Systems, Inc., under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334511.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, any responsible source that believes it can provide an item that fully meets the Government's minimum technical requirements may submit a statement of capabilities, which, if received in a timely manner, will be considered by NOAA. A statement of capabilities must be received by September 03, 2026 at 12PM ET. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed 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 in the future.

Evidence must be provided of the ability to provide the required cable and termination kit. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and contain sufficient technical detail to allow the Government to determine whether the source can meet all requirements, including compatibility with the existing Klein 5900 v1 and v2 side scan sonar system, 50-ohm impedance requirement, 0.40-inch cable size, existing termination and tow-point hardware, Focal or Alpha 8-pin sliprings, installed CLARS winch and sheaves, and the required delivery date. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to Alexander Cancela at alexander.cancela@noaa.gov by September 03, 2026 at 12PM ET.