Inactive

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under t... The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1), with YSI Inc. located in Yellow Springs, OH, a purchase order for thirty-four (34) Nile Design Analysis Radar Water Level Sensors and associated equipment. The Government intends to utilize the authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy agency requirements, unless, as a result of this announcement, acceptable responses to this notice are received and a determination is made by the Government to issue a competitive solicitation. The Government intends to award a purchase order to YSI Inc. in Yellow Springs, OH. Sole Source Justification: This purchase is for replacement / spare Water LOG/Design Analysis water level sensors/components to support remote environmental monitoring stations maintained by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). The NOAA Nile, FMR51 Design Analysis radar water level sensor with a 20m Range, Part Number: 203360 (Formally Series 3611, NOAA-NILE, and FMR51) is the standard primary water level noncontact sensor used at environmental monitoring stations maintained by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) on the Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico coast, throughout the Pacific, the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, and in coastal areas of Alaska. The WaterLOG Absolute Shaft Encoder Part Number: H-3342 is standard backup water level sensor used at environmental monitoring stations maintained by CO-OPS in the Great Lakes. Significant engineering effort was utilized to ensure these sensors not only provide the precise measurements required but also are capable of withstanding the harsh marine environments they are deployed in for extended periods of time and that the power consumption, size, and other characteristics are appropriate for the specialized data acquisition and logging system to which it is connected. This purchase is to support the existing water level measurement systems within the CO-OPS network. Implementing different components will result in additional cost and resources. Also, there will be resulting delay for testing, training, and purchase of support equipment. Under the current CO-OPS operating system any environmental monitoring equipment that has not previously been approved must be subjected to a series of tests to ensure the quality of the data and the durability of the equipment for the intended use. These tests usually include bench testing using controlled conditions and physical measurement, controlled environmental testing to check a sensor’s reliability under different conditions, and long term comparison testing with accepted equipment at multiple real world locations. These tests and the analysis of the resulting data take a large amount of time, money, and resources to conduct. The CO-OPS environmental monitoring systems are designed to operate with the components in this purchase. Implementing different components will result in compatibility issues. Currently CO-OPS field personal and contractors are trained in the use and maintenance of the systems and components in this purchase. Additional cost will incur from having to train field personal and contractors on the use and maintenance of new equipment. CO-OPS also has the ability and equipment to test and repair the sensors in this purchase. If new sensors are purchased additional parts and equipment will need to be purchased to support the new equipment. Additional training will also be required for those tasked with calibrating and repairing this equipment. This special notice is not a request for competitive offerors and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide this supply may submit substantiating documentation in writing within fifteen business days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to tyran.claypool@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to YSI Inc. Government will give price preference to US Made Products. The items included in this purchase are replacement / spare units needed to support data collection systems within the CO-OPS network that use WaterLOG/Design Analysis water level measuring equipment. DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (844) 229- 9757.