Reverse Blocking Thyrestor Semiconductors

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Powerex, Inc. in Youngwood, PA, for 800 each Reverse Blocking Diode Thyristor (RBDT) Semiconductors, P/N: 635A716H01, ASN: R400-3A12A1Q1. 1,000 5-gallon containers of synthetic lubricating oil, neutral color, ASN: R400-014-O-20, for repair of the NEXRAD Pulse Modulator assemblies for the National Logistics Support Center in Kansas City, MO. A Sources Sought notice was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on August 7, 2015 and closed on August 21, 2015. No responses were received. Sole Source Justification Powerex, Inc., is the only known qualified source of this semiconductor. All semiconductors for this system are required to be identical to the item which was provided with the original equipment. It is not possible to substitute for this item; any logistical spares must be form, fit, and function identical to the original equipment item. The original NEXRAD equipment was subjected to a stringent qualification test regime which included operational testing, field testing, and environmental qualification testing. Acceptance of any item other than the original equipment would require that testing be completely re-accomplished. This is not acceptable, as it would require significant funding and time to accomplish and would result in fielded NEXRAD systems being unavailable during the period. If radar systems are unavailable, the mission of the National Weather Service to provide forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property would be severely hindered. For this reason, only part number 635A716H01 available from POWEREX are deemed acceptable at this time.