Intent to Sole Source.pdf

Synopsis: Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract

Announcement Number: 140802-24-0383 Project Title: Rotary Joint for G550 Tail Doppler RADAR

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) at Lakeland, FL has a requirement for two (2) Rotary joints for the Tail Doppler Radar (TDR) system for use on the NOAA G-550 Aircraft. This rotary joint is essential NOAA’s mission to provide equivalent performance and results.

This model has been flown on NOAA aircraft and is used in the forecasting of weather and hurricane intensity with the TDR antenna. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing, with a SBA size standard of 1,350 employees.

Sole Source Justification

Frontgrade Technologies is essential to the requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs. Small changes in the design could dramatically affect the final product. 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. This specific unit has been fit on the NOAA GIV. Using the same rotary joint on these platforms is essential to get the same data to the forecasters.

Frontgrade Technologies has one or more of the following: an established exclusive licensing agreement, proprietary data, and patent rights. This rotary joint was designed and built by Kevlin Corp aka Frontgrade Technologies. They possess proprietary engineering drawings and test procedures for these units. No other company has been authorized to have access to this data. Developing another which includes designing, testing and gathering data will increase the cost and the lead time significantly.

Special Notice

This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities. However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to mark.dye@noaa.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.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 12:00 PM EDT on June 1, 2024. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: 140802-24-0383 Project Title: Rotary Joint for G550 Tail Doppler RADAR

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that any submission transmitted to the specified Government representative(s) is received prior to the due date specified herein.

Offeror’s are highly encouraged to contact the Government representative(s) specified above prior to the solicitation’s stated time and date for receipt of offers to ensure the Government has received the submission. Offers received after the date and time specified in this solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

DOC/NOAA Eastern 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 mailto:mark.dye@noaa.gov information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Unique Entity Identifier. A Unique Entity Identifier may be acquired free of charge by contacting SAM.gov.

The notice will remain open from 05/17/2024 through 06/01/2024.