Windscreens for the Automated Surface Observation System Heated Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge for the National Logistics Support Center in Grandview, MO

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to solicit, negotiate, and award a sole source basis purchase order to ETI Instrument Systems for Automated Surface Observation System Heated Tipping Bucket Complete Windscreen Assemblies for the National Logistics Center in Grandview, MO. 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 statisfy 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 for 50 Windscreen Assemblies, 15 Support Tubes, and 15 Curved Rods to ETI Instrument Systems at the National Logistics Support Center in Grandview, MO. Sole Source Justification: The Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) utilize a Friez Engineering Heated Tipping Bucket (HTB) to report precipitation at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) locations. All HTBs are identical. Tipping Bucket Rain Gauges generally suffer from under reporting (i.e., inaccuracies) during blowing precipitation events. To mitigate this under reporting, a windscreen is used to disturb the flow of air around the gauge which improves reporting accuracy. The ASOS systems underwent significant and detailed testing of the HTB and the ETI windscreen prior to full scale deployment. This is the only windscreen which has been certified for use on ASOS. The Unique Mounting requirements of ASOS instruments requires that a single mounting pedestal be used for both the HTB and Windscreen. No other windscreen is known to meet this mounting requirement. With over 800 FAA ASOS systems deployed, it is cost prohibitive to perform site modifications required to accommodate another windscreen. Market Research was conducted to identify commercially available windscreens which could possibly be used with the Frieze tipping bucket. In all cases, the windscreen requires that concrete piers or a concrete pad be installed at the ASOS site in order to accommodate the four leg mounting requirement. These windscreens are all Alter style windscreens, meaning that they are constructed of metal frames which contain metal lamellae which are suspended from the frame around the tipping bucket. This style is significantly different than the ASOS windscreen design, and as such would have to be qualified as to accuracy by a testing program with normally extends for one year. This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide this supply may submit substantiating documentation in writing within fifteen business days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to contact@example.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to ETI Instruction Systems. DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (844) 229- 9757.