NortekUSA, Inc Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with NortekUSA, Inc., using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide Aquadopp Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. The Nortek Aquadopp Profilers work with the NOAA CO-OPS system. The NOAA National Current Observation Program (NCOP) already employs these standardized sensors and equipment in order to help maintain a robust, reliable, and cost efficient system of deployable bottom mounted current sensors. Sensor and instrumentation compatibility and interchangeability are critical to the operations and maintenance of the systems. System and sensor standardization also helps to ensure that the data gathered while systems are deployed is suitable for post analysis, assessment, and use in updating tidal datum, currents tables, and navigational charts. Furthermore, system and sensor interoperability helps to reduce the cost of maintenance through ease of replacement and component upgrade. NOAA has invested significant time and resources in developing mounting systems, brackets, survey procedures, and sensor partnering to help maximize data returns during current surveys. Procurement of a different type of acoustic profiler would require system integration research, extensive testing, engineering mounting hardware development, spares inventory build-up, and would delay operational current surveys supporting maritime navigational safety. Utilizing a different acoustic profiler could also delay chart updates, reducing chart accuracy and NOAA support to maritime navigation and commerce. These ADCPs are mission critical items. These are a key tool used during scientific studies. It is imperative to have this system operating correctly and accurately and thus, it is necessary to procure the supplies. NortekUSA, Inc. is the sole provider of the Aquadopp Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334511 with a business size standard of 1,250 employees. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on FedBizOpps. Although a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Nicole Frie (contact@example.gov). All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: Project Title. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EST on July 27, 2018. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements.