NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Marine Operations Center Acquisition Branch (MOAB), intends to award a firm-fixed-price sole source contract to Verus Associates Inc. for machinery controls system service on the Ship Henry Bigelow. This is a Special Notice under a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Capability statements from interested parties are due by May 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.
Opportunity Details
NOAA requires urgent service for the Ship Henry Bigelow's machinery controls system to address deficiencies identified during an annual ABS survey and PSTP (Periodic Safety Test Procedure) demonstration. The worklist is largely derived from comments in the PSTP report. Performance is critically required by June 6, 2026, to prevent further system degradation and potential operational failure. The place of performance is Newport, RI.
Justification for Sole Source
Verus Associates Inc. is considered uniquely qualified because they were previously onsite as a subcontractor for DSI, performed the annual PSTP for the ABS surveyor, and are intimately aware of the system's status and current configuration. This makes them a logical follow-on for work discovered during their demonstration of system performance. Their knowledge and continuity of service are expected to enable portions of the required work to be completed under warranty, resulting in cost savings. NOAA states that no other vendor can meet the required schedule while ensuring compatibility with existing systems and minimizing technical risk.
Submission Requirements
This notice is not a request for quotes. However, interested parties may submit capability statements demonstrating their ability to meet this requirement within the urgent timeframe. Submissions should include sufficient detail, relevant experience, pricing information (if available), and supporting documentation. Responses will be evaluated solely to determine if a competitive procurement should be conducted in the future, with the Government retaining sole discretion not to compete.
Key Dates & Contact
- Published Date: May 22, 2026
- Capability Statement Due: May 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time
- Submission Email: alexander.cancela@noaa.gov
- Primary Contact: CANCELA, ALEXANDER