This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action Synopsis. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will receive no response. This Proposed Contract Action is published to notify potential sources that the National Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, intends to award a sole source firm-fixed price contract, on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, to Watershed Science and Engineering Inc., for remote sensing analysis to characterize resilient floodplains and resistant rivers-organize and conduct a workshop for scientists and practitioners to provide input on study design, analyze remotely sensed data (including Red-Blue-Green and thermal imagery, LiDAR topobathymetry), develop research metrics characterizing floodplains and produce metric results for a variety of datasets that will be used in structured decision models to estimate how floodplains will change over time with different restoration options.

Watershed Science and Engineering has unique expertise and knowledge of hydro geomorphic analysis of remotely sensed datasets in floodplain settings. The work to be performed in this contract requires knowledge of new technology and innovative analysis methods recently developed by WSE. While these new methods are not officially patented, the details are known only to WSE. The relative newness of this technology in floodplains results in a lack of scientists/engineers with knowledge of how to process and analyze such data. Scientists at WSE are leaders in the development, processing, and publication of drone-based remotely sensed data and new metrics to describe floodplain condition in locations that have experienced intensive restoration activities. No other entities have equitable knowledge and experience to be able to perform the required tasks.

The metrics to be developed in this contract build off of the work already completed by WSE. Contracting with a different vendor would require a longer project start-up period, delay output of the existing line of work because the previous work would have to be replicated, potentially wasting 500 hours of work. Contracting with a different vendor would also result in work that is not compatible or comparable to previous analyses important to the overarching research question. This allows the government to ensure that information is not only accurate but also actionable. Period of Performance: May 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024.

The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Date posted to SAM.gov April 11, 2023. Date posting will close: April 28, 2023. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541690. The Size Standard is $16,500,000. The desired delivery date described herein is anticipated to be May 1, 2023. The responses to this synopsis will be used to confirm that this is a sole source requirement. This notice is not a Request for Proposals/Quotes (RFQ); it is a market research tool being utilized to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources prior to awarding the contract. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this notice of proposed contract action. Contractors who believe they possess the expertise and experience shall submit technical capabilities in writing to Rochelle Infante electronically to: Rochelle.Infante@usda.gov. Responses must be received no later than April 27, 2023 11:00 am MDT. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. Firms responding must indicate the following information: Indicate the business size: small business or disadvantaged business, veteran owned small business or HUB Zone certified, indicate the appropriate NAICS code, and DUNS #. This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Quote, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as commitment by the Government for any purpose other than market research.