NASA/MSFC has a requirement for assistance and technical services to aid in the integration of new requirements for the Regional Visualization and Monitoring System (SERVIR), the progression of SERVIR from installation to operations in East Africa and potential expansion to other geographic regions.
NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from Science Systems and Applications, Inc.(SSAI). Competition is impractical for the following reasons:
The funds specifically dedicated to establish and expand the SERVIR system in Africa and other geographic regions, were provided to NASA from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under a Participating Agency Program Agreement. The requirements and timeframe which have been levied on NASA by USAID necessitate immediate implementation; thus, the need to use existing system familiarity and expertise is virtually unavoidable. Furthermore, doing so lessens the risk of failure to implement requirements per the guidelines set by USAID which incidentally keeps NASA in good standing with the USAID and promotes future collaboration. SSAI having previously provided technical support to the SERVIR project is familiar with the SERVIR system and has the required expertise readily available.
SERVIR is a high-visibility project at NASA/MSFC, NASA/HQ and USAID. It is also the model in the Americas for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems—a multinational effort to build an earth observation system. It is also a key implementation project under the Central American-United States Joint Accord signed by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on June 7, 2001. For these reasons, it is of benefit to NASA to maintain its affiliation with an institution like SSAI that is well recognized in the geospatial community and consistently performs exceptionally well amid the high demands that go hand in hand with high-visibility.
SSAI has an existing relationship with SERVIR’s international partner, the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC), which hosts and operates the SERVIR system in Mesoamerica. This existing relationship will help facilitate the transfer of technology to the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) which will host and operate the SERVIR-like system in East Africa.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, 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 an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
