DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway MC3; Boulder, CO

H -- STRATOSPHERIC BALLOON DEVELOPMENT SOL NRMGM000901019MB POC Michelle Bernal, Purchasing Agent, (303) 497-3983 or FAX (303) 497-3163 E-MAIL: NOAA; MASC Acquisition Management, bid.tech@noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with GSSL, Inc., Hillsboro, OR, as they were the manufacturer/designer of the original balloon vehicles and the proprietary Balloon Envelope Recovery System (BERS). NOAA, Global Air-ocean In-situ System (GAINS) project as the Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) of Boulder, Colorado, seeks to purchase preflight tests and system components, in preparation for a demonstration flight of PIII. The GAINS PIII prototype balloon, a 60-ft diameter superpressure vehicle, is designed for flights of one-year duration in the stratosphere. Nominal float altitude is 60,000 ft for a 100-lb (45-kg) payload. System components to be purchased are a hanger test of the GAINS PIII Spectra(R) envelope, integration of multiple payloads in the PIII capsule, and support services for a 48-hour flight of the PIII system. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. No award will be made on the basis of requests in response to this notice. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http: netsite.esa.doc.gov/oam/conops/#REFERENCE. Hard copy in full text available from office address and phone number listed in notice. Anticipated award date will be April 2, 1999. Posted 03/18/99 (D-SN310116). (0077)

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