Notice of Intent to Award a single-source contract - Bruker OPUS Software upgrades AFSC

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service - Alaska Fisheries Science Center - intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); with the Bruker Corporation, for the procurement of updated OPUS software systems which operate agency-owned Fourier near-infrared spectrometers in Seattle, Washington. Researchers with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center utilize near-infrared spectrometers to analyze fish otoliths and other structures to determine age and rate of fish developmental processes and how those processes are affected by environmental factors (such as temperature and chemistry changes in the marine environment). One way to accurately determine the age of ocean-dwelling fish is to sample and analyze otoliths under controlled conditions. This analytical work is conducted directly in support of Executive Order 14276 – “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness”.

Sole Source Justification

The sole source determination is based on the need of NMFS researchers to accurately obtain information related to an organism’s age and growth development and how the developmental processes of an organism are affected by conditions in the marine environment. Researchers can then use this data to make recommendations for the expansion of some and reduction of other active fishing areas to support healthy populations of commercially valuable fish species. Researchers utilize the best available science and methods in the generation of accurate data to ultimately provide recommendations to fisheries managers.  

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.

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 EST on Jul 28, 2026.  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. Phone calls in regard to this notice will not be accepted.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: REQUIREMENTS-26-4146
Project Title: NOAA NMFS REFM Bruker OPUS Fourier software systems upgrade

NMFS’s AFSC Operations, Management, and Information Division 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, Cage Code, and obtain a government-provided Unique Entity Identifier, which is available for free through SAM.gov.