59--UPGRADE TO RADAR SYSTEM

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, plans to upgrade its CORE RADAR SYSTEM originally acquired from Aeroflex Powell, Inc. due to the company's unique expertise and proprietary rights to the system's software source codes. Given that API is the original manufacturer, the government intends to negotiate a firm-fixed price purchase order directly with them to avoid significant duplication of cost and effort. This procurement approach is a sole-source negotiation rather than a competitive solicitation, though the notice clarifies that responsible sources may submit capabilities statements by a specified deadline for the government to consider whether to conduct a competitive process. The contract, identified under solicitation number N0016705Q5133, was posted on August 2, 2005, by the Department of Defense at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland. While this notice is not a request for quotations, it serves as a presolicitation announcement seeking information from potential interested parties. The government retains full discretion over whether to move forward with a sole-source award, and any communications or capability statements are to be sent to the designated point of contact by mid-August 2005. This arrangement emphasizes the importance of proprietary knowledge and the cost-efficiency of awarding the upgrade contract to the original equipment manufacturer.