Intent to Sole Source for Atmospheric Chemistry Research Services
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), specifically the Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source basis to South Dakota State University (SDSU). This action is for Atmospheric Chemistry Research Services to be performed in Brookings, South Dakota. The associated NAICS code is 541990 (Environmental Studies And Assessments), and no set-aside is applicable for this requirement. Firms believing they can meet the government's requirements must submit documentation within 15 days of the publication date (June 3, 2026).
Scope of Work
NOAA requires specialized services for atmospheric chemistry research. This includes the development and integration of new combustion-phase-based emission factors into NOAA's existing RAVE and GBBEPX products. The services necessitate highly specialized technical expertise regarding the proprietary RAVE and GBBEPX algorithms and codebases.
Sole Source Justification
SDSU is identified as the only vendor specializing in atmospheric chemistry research using the RAVE and GBBEPX codebase algorithms. SDSU developed and has maintained these products for over a decade, possessing unique, institutional knowledge of these proprietary systems. This expertise is deemed essential and unique to SDSU, making them the sole source capable of meeting NOAA's requirements.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Intent to Sole Source (Purchase Order)
- Period of Performance: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027
- Set-Aside: None
- Response Due: June 18, 2026 (15 days after publication)
- Published: June 3, 2026
Action for Interested Parties
This presolicitation notice is not a request for competitive proposals, and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation or a request for additional information in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after the publication of this notice. Such submissions will be evaluated solely to determine if the procurement should be conducted on a competitive basis. The government retains sole discretion in determining whether to proceed with a competitive procurement based on responses.