53--Low Pressure Relief Valve Devices

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Shelter Technology, Engineering & Fabrication Directorate (STEFD), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Product Development and Analysis, Naperville, IL 60563. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: Product Development & Analysis LLC (PDA) has designed a low pressure/high volume pressure relief valve (PRV) for chemical/biological airlocks that will regulate airlock pressure automatically. These PRVs will serve to replace the manually operated airflow gates currently installed in these airlocks for pressure regulation. The training process to familiarize Soldiers with the airlock system could be drastically reduced if the pressure regulation was automatic instead of manual. Additionally, the ease-of-use of the system would be enhanced, especially considering the lack of mobility afforded by most chemical/biological protective suits like the MOPP. Lastly, the manufacturing process for the chemical/biological airlock could potentially be enhanced by integrating a simple automatic pressure relief valve as opposed to a more complex series of holes and flaps, louvers, etc. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): PDA is the only company that could be located that designs and produces PRVs that allow high volume airflow while operating at low pressure. Typical PRVs operate at either high pressure/high volume, or low pressure/low volume, so PDAs design is rather unique. Additionally, PDA has already designed and manufactured a very similar airlock PRV, the design of which just needs to be slightly modified to achieve the operating conditions desired for this purpose. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: An internet search of PRV suppliers was performed and (as stated above) the vast majority of PRVs available on the commercial market are high pressure/high volume or low pressure/low volume, neither of which will suffice for the chemical/biological airlock system in question. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: None 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: The airlock PRV developed by PDA will be a prototype to be used for evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the airlock system with this new technology installed. Should this item prove effective in its operation and a valid enhancement to the existing system, future procurements of the devices would take place under full and open competition, using performance characteristics developed during evaluation of the prototype. 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: contact@example.gov no later than 8:00 am on March 10, 2010. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Stephen Reffel, Contract Specialist contact@example.gov