LinkQuest _Inc._(NRMA0006-15-01280).pdf

Sole Source Justification: LinkQuest, Inc.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) http://explore.noaa.gov/Home.aspx intends to purchase the upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for their Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) acoustic navigation transceiver from LinkQuest, Inc. located in San Diego, CA for use with the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems.

OER requires replacement housings for the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer's LinkQuest, Inc.

TC10000HA USBL acoustic navigation system transceiver components. The existing transceiver system has aluminum housings, which are not holding up to the long immersion time in saltwater the system currently sees. An upgrade to stainless steel housings from the original manufacturer (LinkQuest, Inc.) is being requested. This upgrade will re-use the existing internal electronics that already belong to NOAA.

The NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer supports an underwater ROV system. Navigation of the underwater vehicles is facilitated using a LinkQuest, Inc. TC10000HA USBL acoustic navigation transceiver system, which provides critical position information. This procurement is to upgrade the housings for one of the ship-mounted transceiver systems. Because these components are mounted under the ship, exposed to seawater for indefinite periods of time, the standard aluminum housings are subject to damaging corrosion. A switch to stainless steel as the primary material for the housings will increase the life of the components, and reduce the likelihood of failures in service.

Because the transceiver system is proprietary and the design belongs to LinkQuest, Inc., and because only LinkQuest, Inc. is qualified to properly test the retrofitted system, use of other vendors will not be possible.

The LinkQuest, Inc. transceiver components are proprietary designs. The housing designs that belong to LinkQuest, Inc. will be modified for stainless steel, and the existing electronics will be installed and tested similarly to a new system. Only LinkQuest, Inc. is qualified and able to do this work and also provide the warranty required by NOAA. LinkQuest, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of the item being upgraded.

No other vendor can duplicate the LinkQuest, Inc. housing designs, remove and re-install the electronics into the new housings, properly test, calibrate and certify the system, and issue the proper warranty before shipping.

The upgrade includes:

Replacing the existing hydrophone array with a new hydrophone array with a stainless steel end plate, installed on a new stainless steel pressure housing with new stainless steel underwater connectors.

Replacing the old acoustic transmitter transducer with a new acoustic transmitter transducer, installed on a new stainless steel pressure housing with new stainless steel underwater connectors.

http://explore.noaa.gov/Home.aspx

The new acoustic transmitter transducer shall have an anodized aluminum end plate, electrically insulated from the pressure housing. The electronics and the interconnection cable of the existing TC10000HA transceiver will be reused.

All items shall be delivered (FOB destination) to 2578 Davisville Road located in North Kingston, RI 02852.

All things considered, entertaining a different vendor’s product would be a substantial cost to the Government and totally unfeasible both financially and logistically.

LinkQuest, Inc. has been identified as the only known source that can provide the needed upgrades as specified above that will also meet the Government’s intended use.

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

The intended procurement is for the upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for OER’s USBL acoustic navigation transceiver which the Government intends to acquire under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions Procedures. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source (LinkQuest, 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 LinkQuest, 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 upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for OER’s USBL acoustic navigation transceiver. Interested firms should submit its name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and a brief statement regarding its capability to provide the specified upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for OER’s USBL acoustic navigation transceiver that provides the same form, fit and function as the upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for OER’s USBL acoustic navigation transceiver specified above. Any responses that provide for upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for OER’s USBL acoustic navigation transceiver 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 upgrade to use stainless steel material (316 grade) for a USBL acoustic navigation transceiver.

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/