BNJ_NC-NT1000-23-01118.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Eastern Region Acquisition Division Norfolk Federal Building 200 Granby Street, Room 815 Norfolk, VA 23510

BRAND NAME DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

NC-NT1000-23-01118

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants

Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division and National Ocean Service (NOS) and Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS).

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value). This purchase is for five (5) SonTek CastAway Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) sensors- Part Number: CA-CTD- to support reconnaissance, installation, and maintenance efforts at CO-OPS environmental monitoring stations. The total cost of this purchase is estimated to be in the amount of .

3. Identification of the brand name to be solicited.

SonTek/xylem/YSI 9940 Summers Ridge Road San Diego, CA 92121 POC: John Zimmerelli Cell Phone: +1 4102189086 Office Phone: (410) 218-9086 Email: john.zimmerelli@xylem.com

4. Supporting rationale. Only one brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

Brand Name – This particular brand name is essential to the requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs.

The SonTek CastAway CTD, Part Number: CA-CTD is CO-OPS’ standard portable CTD profiling sensor used for the reconnaissance, installation, and maintenance of environmental monitoring stations included in the National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON), Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS), National Current observation Program (NCOP), Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network (TCOON), hydrography, photogrammetry, VDatum and other special projects. The observations from CO-OPS’ environmental monitoring stations are a critical component of the Nation’s marine transportation system, and the CastAway sensors are required to make precise scientific measurements to help ensure the proper installation and operation of these observatory systems.

The required SonTek CastAway sensors are the only CO-OPS approved portable and ruggedized CTD for use in this application. Significant engineering effort was utilized to thoroughly test the unit, verify accuracy specifications, and write operating procedures for the use of this unit in CO- OPS applications. Implementing a different sensor in place of the current unit will result in additional cost and resources. Also, there will be resulting delay for testing, training, and purchase of support equipment.

Compatibility to existing systems or equipment – The required supplies or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement.

Currently CO-OPS field personal and contractors are trained in the use of the equipment in this purchase. Additional cost will incur from having to train field personal and contractors on the use of new equipment. CO-OPS also has the ability and equipment to test and troubleshoot the equipment in this purchase. If new equipment is purchased additional parts and equipment will need to be purchased to support the new equipment. Additional training will also be required for those tasked with testing and refurbishing this equipment.

Under the current CO-OPS operating system, any environmental monitoring equipment that has not previously been approved must be subjected to a series of tests to ensure the quality of the data and the durability of the equipment for the intended use. These tests usually include bench testing using controlled conditions and physical measurement, controlled environmental testing to check reliability under different conditions, and long-term comparison testing with accepted equipment at multiple real-world locations. These tests and the analysis of the resulting data take a large amount of time, money, and resources to conduct.

5. Market Research.

The SonTek CastAway CTD, Part Number: CA-CTD is CO-OPS’ standard portable CTD profiling sensor used for the reconnaissance, installation, and maintenance of environmental monitoring stations. An internet search was conducted by the client, which identified multiple vendors of the equipment in this purchase. The equipment in this request can be purchased from any vendor that offers the best value.

The contract specialist also conducted internet and internal market research and determined that there are multiple vendors (including small businesses) that can meet the requirement. Previous similar requirements have also been procured by NOAA from various vendors.

**Signatures shall remain on the final page

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

7. Determination

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date

MCGRATH.CHRISTO

PHER.R.1365837380

Digitally signed by

MCGRATH.CHRISTOPHER.R.13

65837380 Date: 2023 07.26 13:32:02 -04'00'

7/26/2023

DABNEY.DAWN.JE

ANINE.1186151590

Digitally signed by

DABNEY.DAWN.JEANINE.11861

51590 Date: 2023.08.03 09:19:36 -04'00'

08/03/2023