R--INTENT TO AWARD: USGS NADP-NTN SITE MT98

Intent to Award: USGS Precipitation Sample Collection at NADP-NTN Site MT98

The USGS is seeking the procurement of the operation of NADP/NTN wet atmospheric monitoring station designated site MT98. Contractor is to operate a field located precipitation collection station, on a weekly basis, as part of the USGS National Trends Network (NTN), in accordance with instructions described in the Operations Manuals (provided). Perform all the functions described in the Manuals. In the laboratory, perform the required measurements, complete the Reporting Form, package the sample, and ship it to the laboratory via FedEx 2nd Day Air, using USGS provided prepaid mailers

Period of Performance will be for a 12-month base period, plus four (4) 12-month option periods.

The entire NADP network contracts with the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH), and site operators deal directly with key personnel at WSLH regarding site specifications and maintenance, their performance, site operations, checking of data contained in the Reports Form, arranging for provision of needed replacement parts and when necessary, guidance and training. As appropriate, a WSLH employee or the site operator can contact the USGS directly for assistance or guidance.

The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to Montana State University, unless it is contacted by any who believes they can provide the same service. Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Miranda Blankenship via email at miranda_blankenship@ios.doi.gov no later than 1:00PM EST, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with an affirmative answer.

Sole Source Justification States the Following Part:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Mission Area, Observing Systems Division, Hydrologic Networks Branch requests a Firm-Fixed-Price sole source contract. The acquisition is to provide atmospheric deposition station operation services for a cooperatively supported station between the USGS, the site owner, and operator in support of the interagency National Atmospheric Deposition Program, National Trends Network (NADP-NTN).

Service is required to operate NADP/NTN wet atmospheric monitoring station MT98. Operation requires weekly site visits to the site to collect, process, and ship the precipitation sample, collect, process and transmit associated data with the site including the precipitation gage record and perform routine instrument checks, maintenance and repairs as needed.

This site has been operated since 1985 by the Montana State University, Northern Agricultural Center staff on land owned by this same organization. Only employees of the Agricultural Center have access to the site to perform the monitoring and servicing. The staff members who perform the work are qualified to complete the requirement due to their education and technical experience. They have the experience, knowledge and expertise to complete the requirements without training or time spent learning how to operate the equipment. It is essential that this requirement be continued without loss of data.

The primary reason the USGS is not operating this site is because, despite having offices in every state with multiple field offices in most states, we do not have the means or permission to access this site. It is cost prohibitive to USGS to operate this site therefore, USGS is funding the scientific activity, and the sponsoring organization maintains control of the site access. USGS offices do operate a number of other sites where we do have the means and access to site locations, but the list of sites where we seek sole source awards are the "partnership" site locations where we do not have the means and permission to access the sites. A competitive action would imply that we could unilaterally remove the landowning and operating organizations or individuals from this activity and replace them with another entity. This is not the case, since these multi-decade long research and monitoring sites are not under the ownership and control of the USGS, the USGS is funding the scientific activity.

Where a USGS-supported site can be potentially operated by any number of interested individuals or organizations, we offer those site duties via a competitive process. This document describes the situation where we have sites that cannot be competed due to the cooperative partnership aspect of these sites¿ location and ownership.