Presolicitation Notice Single Source Determination_Redacted 143021-26-0041.pdf

This is a Single Source Determination document using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a federal contract action not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, issued under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

The Department of Commerce (DOC), through NOAA's Acquisition and Grants Office, is procuring specialized Scannar acoustic sensors and supporting hardware for use on the NOAA research vessels Henry B. Bigelow and Pisces to facilitate the Ecosystems Surveys Branch Bottom Trawl Surveys. The required equipment includes one TrawlEye-NB system, one Flowsensor HC4-TSS, one SS4 Depth/Temperature sensor, and four SS4 Door/Clump sensors with associated mounting and charging kits. This is a firm-fixed-price action with an expected delivery date of September 1, 2026. The sole source determination identifies Scannar as the brand name, with OptimERA Marine at 1101 NW 45th Street as the authorized reseller.

The justification for single source procurement rests on two primary factors: compatibility with existing systems and equipment, as the vessels are currently equipped with the Scannar ScanBas 365 bridge system that serves as the central processing hub for all trawl telemetry, and the sensors are specifically designed to interface with this existing Scannar architecture; and exclusive licensing and authorized reseller status, as OptimERA Marine is the only US authorized reseller and service provider for Scannar equipment, providing proprietary SS4 double-cast electronics and specialized programming units required to configure sensors for NOAA's specific operational frequencies. Market research confirmed that alternative manufacturers such as Simrad and Marport lack the direct "plug-and-play" compatibility required without complete replacement of the vessel's acoustic receiving system. The documentation notes that introducing non-Scannar sensors would compromise the integrity of long-term fishery-independent time-series data used in stock assessments.