Aventech_Research _Inc._(NMAN6000-16-01568).pdf

Sole Source Justification: Aventech Research, Inc.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) http://www.aoc.noaa.gov/ intends to purchase a quantity of three (3) “AIMMS-30 Airborne Meteorological System [ARIM200 Air Data System (ADS), Vectrax-10 Inertial Attitude System (IAS) and Display / Recording / Calibration Unit (DRCU) configuration] to measure Temperature, Relative Humidity, Three-Dimensional Winds (Speed, Direction and Vertical) and Turbulence” systems from Aventech Research, Inc.

Aventech Research, Inc. is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of these systems. Aventech Research, Inc. is the only known source that can provide the requested systems. AOC had previously contracted with Aventech Research, Inc. for the requested system. Prior to that award, a sources sought notice was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website searching for additional sources. No responses were received. The purpose of this posting is to see if additional sources are now available for this requirement. Otherwise, a purchase order (PO) will be issued to Aventech Research, Inc. to fulfill the Government’s requirement.

A single Aventech Research, Inc. system was purchased by AOC in September 2015, and installed on a single aircraft for the Arctic Heat research project. The first phase of that project is now complete.

The Aventech Research, Inc. system has demonstrated its capability to measure temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, angle of attack pressure, angle of slip pressure, pitot static pressure, and acceleration in 3 dimensions with scientific quality. It is AOC’s intention to use this same Aventech Research, Inc. system to support operational missions moving forward. Several other research projects have requested these measurements and AOC requires more Aventech Research, Inc. systems to support these projects. It is critical that all of these systems be interchangeable for operational readiness, data quality, data consistency, engineering integration and approvals.

These systems calculate and provide True Air Speed (TAS), three dimensional winds, and barometric altitude, and the data can be output at a rate of 50hz. There are no other known systems available that measure all of these quantities and calculate these values. Normally a separate probe would be required for each of the following, temperature, pitot static, angle of attack, angle of slip, and humidity. Three dimensional acceleration is not available in a probe and would require a different sensor. In addition to saving the costs of additional probes, sensors and their installation cost, this system calculates the parameters that are of the most meteorological value saving the one-time cost of custom data analysis and calibration, and the everyday use cost of implementing a data system to calculate these values.

The non-recurring engineering effort to integrate a different system would be cost prohibitive. It has taken several hundred person hours and multiple flights to integrate and evaluate the results from this Aventech Research, Inc. system.

http://www.aoc.noaa.gov/

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Overview:

NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) has 4 Dehaviland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, aircraft which are used for various types of oceanographic research. Various research projects require scientific quality measurements of 3 dimensional winds, static pressure, attack angle slip angle, temperature, humidity, position and velocity. The requirement is for three ARIM200 probes, with GPS antennas, and independent displays. One of these probes has been integrated on aircraft N56RF and test flown for a series of flights. This probe has demonstrated that in conjunction with a GPS antenna it can measure all of these quantities listed, and output them digitally (Ethernet or RS232/422 serial data) to a scientific computer system.

II. Requirements:

Essential:

Three complete systems, ARIM200 probes, with GPS antennas and independent displays.

System requirements:

The system shall be suitable for installation and operation on an aircraft in light icing conditions.

Minimum Probe(s) Operating Environment Altitude 0 – 15000 ft True Air Speed (TAS) 0 – 180 knots Temperature +30 - -40 deg C Aircraft supplied power is available at 28 VDC, or 115 VAC 60 Hz

Minimum Probe(s) measurements and accuracies:

At a minimum the system shall measure the following quantities at the stated accuracies Horizontal wind +/- 1 knot Outside Air Temperature (OAT) +/- 1deg C True Air Speed (TAS) +/- 2 knots Atmospheric Pressure +/- 2 millibar (mb)

Essential Data Output:

Above parameters must be output at least once per second either as serial data (RS232/422), or as Ethernet packets

Desired:

In addition to the essential characteristics shown above the following qualities and capabilities are highly desired.

Desired Operating Environment Altitude 0 – 35000 ft TAS 0 – 400 knots Temperature +30 - -60 deg C

Desired Probe(s) measurements, Accuracies and ranges in order of priority. Ranges are shown where not defined by the operating environment.

3 dimensional Wind + /- 1 knot OAT + / - .5 deg C Atmospheric Pressure + /- 1mb Relative Humidity +/- 5%, range 0 – 100% Angle of Attack + / - 2 deg, range +/- 10deg Angle of Slip +/- 2 deg, range +/-10 deg Acceleration in 3 dimensions +/- .1 g, range +/-2g Horizontal position +/- 100 m, Range worldwide (Latitudes above 70 deg north are expected)

Desired Data output and Display:

Above parameters are desired at ten per second either as serial data (RS232/422), or as Ethernet packets. Independent display of above parameters is desirable.

Any system which does not meet the essential characteristics shall be not considered.

No system which is unfit for installation on aircraft shall be considered. Size, weight and power required are important factors. Smaller lighter systems that use less power are better. The probe(s) located on the outside of the aircraft must have anti-icing capability. The system does not need to be previously approved by the Federal Aviation Authority, Canadian Aviation Authority or equivalent civilian or military organization. The Aircraft Operations Center is responsible for certifying it for installation under the Type Certificate of the Aircraft but it must be crafted with sufficient quality to pass engineering reviews. The system should meet as many of the desired capabilities as possible.

III. Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) - None

IV. Deliverables –

3 Probe(s) 6 GPS antennas 3 Probe electronics interface box, Inertial Measurement Unit (if required) 3 Displays Installation and integration instructions Required connectors and instructions sufficient for AOC to build custom length cabling User’s Manual

V. Time Frame – 180 calendar days after the contractor’s receipt of a signed purchase order.

VI. Acceptance – One of the COTR’s of the contract will verify receipt and content of the deliverables. Payment will be made after this acceptance.

Aventech Research, Inc. has been identified as the only known source that can provide the needed systems at this time, and as specified above in the Statement of Work (SOW) that will also meet the Government’s intended use.

The Government is not aware of any other vendors that can provide these systems while also meeting all of the requirements listed above.

The intended procurement is for 3 Aventech Research, Inc. “AIMMS-30 Airborne Meteorological System [ARIM200 Air Data System (ADS), Vectrax-10 Inertial Attitude System (IAS) and Display / Recording / Calibration Unit (DRCU) configuration] to measure Temperature, Relative Humidity, Three-Dimensional Winds (Speed, Direction and Vertical) and Turbulence” systems for AOC which the Government intends to acquire under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source (Aventech Research, Inc.) under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). All proposals received prior to the close of this notice will be considered by the Government. However, this is not a request for proposals and there is no solicitation available at this time. The Government reserves the right to solicit bids based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this notice or issue a purchase order to Aventech Research, Inc., whichever is determined to be more advantageous to the Government 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 conduct a competitive procurement. In order to be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide the needed systems for AOC. Interested firms should submit its name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and a brief statement regarding its capability to provide the specified systems for AOC that provides the same form, fit and function as the items specified above. Any responses that provide for systems other than that specified must be accompanied by descriptive literature and show it meets the same form, fit and function. Please include the name, telephone number, and point of contact for businesses or other Government agencies to which your company has previously provided the proposed systems.

Offerors may send their proposal via email to kevin.j.buum@noaa.gov The NAICS code for this requirement is 334511. All responsible sources may submit a quote which will be considered by the Agency. All contractors doing business with this Contracting Office (Eastern Region Acquisition - Kansas City Division) must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website.

Vendors can register with SAM at the following website https://www.sam.gov/ mailto:kevin.j.buum@noaa.gov https://www.sam.gov/