30--Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The Western Area Power Administration, Upper Great Plains, plans to acquire a retrofit breaker mechanism, specifically the ABB HMB8.11, for an ITT brand breaker through a sole source procurement. ABB Power Technologies is the designated source due to its proprietary ownership of the design and the engineered retrofit solution. The acquisition will follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation parts 12 and 13. While this is not a solicitation for competitive proposals or quotes, interested and capable vendors may submit a capability statement within three calendar days from the notice's publication, detailing their ability to meet the government's requirements. The government retains discretion over whether to pursue competition based on these responses. The contract notice emphasizes that ABB's unique design justifies the sole source approach, and vendors must demonstrate their qualifications promptly if they wish to be considered. Questions about the process can be directed to the assigned contracting officer, Michael Lowe. This procurement is associated with the NAICS code 334419, which relates to other communications equipment manufacturing, reflecting the technical nature of the breaker retrofit mechanism acquisition.