Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Subject: Z--Notice of Intent to Sole Source. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District intends to award under an existing Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract with Global-PacificTech, JV1 a new task order for Bldg. 794 Plasma Shop - Booth Renovations. As a requirement of this project, the contractor will be responsible for purchasing thermal spray equipment and software that comprise a plasma spray system used by the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) for coating aircraft parts. This action incorporates a sole source requirement into the design build request for proposal. SRM funds are being used to fund this procurement. The task order will be a firm-fixed price contract for a period of 197 calendar days from date of Design Notice to Proceed. Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, the proposed sole sourced equipment includes the purchase of thermal spray equipment consisting of a six axis robotic arm and turntable, spray controllers, jam-boxes, cables, hoses, software, and other components. These thermal spray components shall be integrated into the existing Sulzer Metco Multi-Coat Spray System. The subject Multi-Coat Spray System located in Building 794 employs the use of robotics and spray controllers to apply spray coatings as part of a High-Velocity Oxygen Flame (HVOF) thermal spray system. Only Sulzer Metco possesses the necessary proprietary equipment and software for a complete and operationally integrated system in the spray booth. It would be virtually impossible for another manufacturer to provide this type of patented Tri-plex Plasma Spray system without extensive replacement of current system components and excessive costs to the government. The proposed contract upgrades include only portions of existing systems that need to be replaced; however, much of the current system and components will remain. If this work were open to competition and another supplier were to provide these upgrades then much of the existing system would have to be replaced due to compatibility issues. Based on the numerous components that would need to be replaced if another manufacturer's equipment were used, it is proposed to purchase on a sole source basis Sulzer Metco equipment under the anticipated task order to avoid excessive duplication of costs. Interested concerns should contact Deborah Brost at 904-232-2441; (or email at Deborah.J.Brost@usace.army.mil) for information regarding this notice. A determination by the Government not to sole source the proposed equipment based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 22 February 2016. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of the equipment under the task order will be advantageous to the Government. This is not a Request for Proposal. This is a written notice to inform the public of the Government's intent to award on a sole source basis for the required services. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT REGISTER AS AN INTERESTED VENDOR.