Sources Sought: Photosynthesis Yield Analyzer System
Announcement Number: 143071-25-0062
THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT. IT IS NOT A SOLICITATION, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE A SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.
Any information submitted in response to this Sources Sought Announcement is strictly voluntary. The Government will neither award a contract solely based on this notice, nor pay for any information submitted by respondents. This notice is a request by the Government to collect information from interested vendors for the purpose of market research. Failing to provide a response to this announcement will not prohibit/exclude an interested vendor from participating in a future solicitation.
Background:
The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) requires the procurement of a Photosynthesis Yield Analyzer System. This instrument will enable NOAA scientists to generate critical data on the thermal tolerance of ESA-listed coral species, directly supporting the Coral Reef Conservation Program’s mission and NOAA’s statutory responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act.
The Government has identified the MINI-PAM-II by Walz GmbH as the standard instrument for coral photophysiology, which meets NOAA’s scientific requirements for precision, underwater deployment, and compatibility with existing research protocols. Alternatives will need to be compatible with these requirements.
This instrument will enable NOAA scientists to generate critical data on the thermal tolerance
of ESA-listed coral species, directly supporting the Coral Reef Conservation Program’s mission
and NOAA’s statutory responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act. Without this
equipment, NOAA would lack the technical capacity to measure sub-lethal stress in corals
during controlled heat stress experiments, delaying essential recovery planning and jeopardizing compliance with ESA mandates.
This work is critical to fulfilling NOAA’s mission to understand and conserve marine ecosystems, particularly under the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). The thermal tolerance of ESA-listed coral species is a key data gap in ongoing climate resilience and recovery efforts. By enabling precise, non-destructive measurement of photosynthetic performance, the MINI-PAM-II fluorometer provides essential information on coral stress responses to elevated temperatures — a primary threat facing coral reefs due to climate change. This data directly supports NOAA’s mandates under the Endangered Species Act and Coral Reef Conservation Act to protect and recover threatened species and ecosystems. The inclusion of an underwater fiber optic cable is essential for obtaining accurate readings from live corals in experimental aquarium settings, ensuring data quality while minimizing disturbance. The instrument’s use supports NOAA’s science-based approach to ecosystem management, restoration prioritization, and informed
decision-making for coral reef conservation in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific.
North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS): 334516 with a size standard of 1,000 employees.
Interested vendors are requested to provide the following information in response to this Sources Sought Announcement:
1). A statement that you believe your firm has the capability to meet all above stated requirements.
2). A specification sheet for the proposed equipment
3). Your firm's UEI #
4). Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status. Specifically identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, or in the SBA’s 8(a) program, etc. If your firm is not small, please state that it is a large business.
The information provided in response to this announcement is limited to five pages or less. All information shall be provided free of charge to the Government. The Government will not return any data provided in response to this announcement.
This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued.
The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.
Responses shall be provided to Contracting Officer, Andrew Choy via email at Andrew.Choy@noaa.gov no later than 3:00 PM (Hawaii Time) on August 23, 2025.
