Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Installation of NOAA Science On a Sphere® (SOS) Exhibit
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 Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to BWC Visual Technology (B/W Color Prints LLC) for the turnkey installation of a Science On a Sphere® (SOS) exhibit at the NSOF facility in Suitland, MD. This action is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source, not a request for competitive proposals.
Scope of Work
The requirement encompasses the complete installation of the Science On a Sphere® (SOS) exhibit. This includes the provision of proprietary SOS hardware, specialized technical installation services, and necessary ancillary site preparation. Site preparation involves electrical work, structural anchoring, and the integration of security-enhanced glass doors.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sole-Source, Firm-Fixed-Price Contract
- Procedure: Conducted under FAR Part 12, utilizing simplified procedures for commercial products and services.
- Authority: 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.103-1, citing "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."
- Set-Aside: Not Applicable (Sole Source)
- Response Due: February 23, 2026, 6:00 PM EST
- Published: February 6, 2026
- Place of Performance: Suitland, MD 20746, United States
Justification for Non-Competitive Action
BWC Visual Technology is identified as the only authorized distributor and installer of Science On a Sphere® technology in North America, formalized under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) CR-188. The system requires proprietary components, specifically the "Wibu Dongle" hardware key and the patented "Alignment Pro" remote calibration system (U.S. Patent No. 18/188,075). These components are exclusively held and distributed by BWC, which also possesses the sole legal right to provide these items and the authorized technical support for the SOS codebase.
Response Instructions
This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. However, responsible sources may submit a written capability statement demonstrating their legal and technical ability to provide the proprietary SOS hardware and patented alignment technology. The agency will evaluate submissions to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible, though such a determination remains at the Government's discretion.
Contact Information
- Primary: Cheryl Catalanotte (cheryl.catalanotte@noaa.gov, 301-427-7756)
- Secondary: Mark Sullivan (mark.a.sullivan@noaa.gov, 302-367-7346)