Sole Source Notice: TELEDYNE BENTHOS Acoustic Modems and Associated Components

NOAA, AGO, Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) intends to issue a new firm-fixed-price (FFP) purchase order to Teledyne Benthos on a sole source basis for the purchase of six (6) Low-Frequency Directional Acoustic Modems supporting printed circuit board sets in support of the Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis for the National Weather Service (NWS), National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center, MS. The Government intends to utilize the authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy agency requirements, unless, as a result of this announcement, acceptable responses to this notice are received and a determination is made by the Government to issue a competitive solicitation. The Government intends to award a purchase order to Teledyne Benthos for the procurement of six (6) proprietary ATM-800 acoustic modems and associated components for the NWS, NDBC based on their compatibility in form, fit and function with already existing systems as replenishment spares. The ATM-800 acoustic modem boards required must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with the existing Teledyne Benthos ATM-803-LR2 acoustic modems used in the NWS NDBC Tsunami detection systems. The NDBC tsunami detection systems use the ATM-803 acoustic modems on the bottom pressure recorder (BPR) to transmit the pressure column data back to a top side buoy. Due to the continuous motion of the buoy and to provide redundant backups two acoustic modems are used on the buoy to ensure detection of the BPR. The tsunami detection system just recently completed an update to fourth generation acoustic modems from Teledyne Benthos. The NDBC identified a failure mode in the acoustic modems where a diode and MOSFET chip would be burned up and the acoustic modem would not function. This failure mode does not happen all modems and appeared to be a random failure. After extensive testing by the NDBC and the manufacturer it was determined that there was a signal line on the transmit/receive board that on powerup is in an undetermined state - meaning it could be at digital high/low/or floating voltage value. In a given state this causes an excessive current flow through the diode and MOSFET that causes them to fail. Teledyne Benthos has redesigned the transmit/receive printed circuit board to prevent this failure. Teledyne Benthos provided prototypes of these boards to the NDBC for laboratory testing. NDBC laboratory testing seems to indicate that this new design has resolved this failure mode however this needs to be verified by in situ testing. Due to the possibility that these boards maybe lost in unmanned deployments the NDBC is purchasing 6 board sets (two complete systems) to install in existing systems for field testing. Manufacturers that propose a solution using other than Teledyne Benthos ATM-800 Acoustic Modem boards must furnish detailed specifications and descriptions to demonstrate their capability to provide the required supplies that satisfy the Government's needs. To be considered, interested parties must be able to demonstrate their ability to provide comparable acoustic modem boards that meet the specific characteristics of the ATM-800. Capability information shall include, at minimum, name, telephone number, address of customers for which you have previously furnished the required supplies, and a detailed narrative that describes your ability to provide the required supplies as specified. The Government will give price preference to US made products. Interested parties must respond via email to Nikki.radford@noaa.gov prior to the closing of this notice. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334511. The government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source (Teledyne Benthos) that can provide the required supply. This is not a request for quotes or proposals and there is no solicitation available at this time. The Government reserves the right to solicit quotes based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this posting without further notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to open competition to businesses other than Teledyne Benthos.