Waves Simulator Design

This is a Sources Sought Notice. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), and Eastern Acquisition Division is conducting market research to determine potential sources capable of engineering design of a Desktop Waves Simulator (DWS) used to test commercial off the shelf Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) that are used by NDBC to measure buoy motion and subsequently directional waves. The DWS must be capable of providing repeatable wave simulated motions that adequate sensor evaluations may be made. The intent of this announcement and the information provided in response to this notice will assist the Government in identifying ALL potential sources to include small businesses and socio-economic sources that are capable and qualified to furnish the required design identified in the Requirements section of this announcement. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330, Engineering Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is $15 Million. Please include your company's size classification in any response to this notice. Potential contractors must have the knowledge, skills and abilities to design the following requirements. The design shall include a DC motor, mechanical assembly, feedback loop (rotational rate of sensors), wire management features both for motor and sensors, and protective safety enclosure. The DWS shall be designed to test two Lord Microstrain 3DM-GX1 IMU sensors simultaneously. The DWS shall provide a simulated buoy motion to the sensors and their associated wires of: - Amplitude of 0.67 meters (+ 0.02 meters) - Rotational period of 2 to 14 seconds (adjusted by the motor speed) - A tilt motion of + 10 degrees - IMUs shall be capable of being rotated at a fixed 45o angle so that all three motion vectors may be evaluated The DWS shall be designed for smooth motion with a minimum of friction and "chatter". Components shall be commercial-off-the-shelf as much as possible and require minimal maintenance. The DC motor shall be positioned far enough away from the IMU sensor to prevent electromagnetic noise for interfering with the IMU sensor output. The safety enclosure shall provide protection against anyone reaching into the assembly while it's operating. It shall allow easy access to the IMU sensors to swap them out. Firms who believe they have the capabilities to provide the required design, must furnish detailed information concerning their capabilities. Submitted Capability Statements shall include the following: (1) Company name and address (2) DUNS number (3) Type of business (e.g., large business, small business, 8(a), veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and/or women owned small business, as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM)) (4) Company point of contact - name, phone and email address (5) Demonstration of the capabilities for providing the required design as detailed herein. Responses must be no longer than ten (10) pages in length. Submit your response by 12:00 PM EST on June 29, 2016, to the Contract Specialist, Alex Cooper via email at contact@example.gov. Any questions regarding this RFI may be referred to Mr. Cooper via email. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This posting is a Request for Information (RFI) from interested vendors and is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. This posting is not a Request for Proposals or a Request for Quotations, and it is not considered to be a commitment by the Government to award a contract nor is the government responsible for any costs incurred in furnishing information provided under this RFI. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this RFI or Government use of any information provided. Further, NOAA is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response to this RFI. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. Responses will assist the Government in determining the availability of potential solutions. At this time no solicitation exists, therefore do not request a copy of the solicitation. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.