61--Smart Fuel Cell

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Technology Systems & Program Integration Directorate (TSPID) intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: SFC Smart Fuel Cell Inc., Atlanta, GA 30326. 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: This is a request to purchase of hardware. Purchase of this hardware enables User assessment of a fuel cell system in support of a two-man Overwatch mission. The particular fuel cell of interest is manufactured by SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG and is their Jenny model, a portable fuel cell developed specifically for military use. The system consists of fuel, fuel cell (i.e. converter), power manager, pouches, and cables. The Jenny was developed, in part, with funds from the US Air Force. The Jenny is unique in that it directly converts a liquid fuel (methanol) into electricity. Significant weight savings are expected with the use of this system vs. the current approach used by Soldiers. Procurement of the system will enable Users to assess its utility thru lab and field evaluations. 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.): No other vendor offers a direct methanol fuel cell system at the technical maturity of the SFC product. 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: No formal market research was conducted. None was needed since it is common knowlege among those working in this technical area that at this time, SFC is unique in this field. 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: SFC's uses a Direct Methanol approach to converting fuel to electricity. Another vendor, Ultracell, uses a competing approach to accomplish the same end. Ultracell's technology is referred to as Reformed Methanol. In a separate PR, the Ultracell hardware is being purchased so the two competing systems can be evaluated side by side by Users. 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 noon on April 26, 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: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist +1 (555) 000-0000 contact@example.gov