1305M224A0018_LSJ ASOS Wind Sensors Vaisala_Redacted.pdf

Version 3.0

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FOR A BPA EXCEEDING

THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 8.405-6)

WORKSPACE: REQUIREMENTS-24-1179

REQUISITION: 142082-24-0273

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program.

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division and National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Observations (OBS), Surface and Upper Air Division (SUAD).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a limited source justification for Vaisala Model WMT700 Ice Free Wind Sensors (IFWS) to establish a new Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) provisions on subsequent call orders. The Government intends to establish this agreement with Vaisala, Inc.

under General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) GS-07-F-030DA.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This action is to procure up to 187 Vaisala Model WMT700 IFWS to provide mission critical wind speed measurement to the NWS via the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). ASOS serves as the nation’s primary surface weather observing network. ASOS is designed to support weather forecast activities, aviation operations and the needs of the meteorological, hydrological and climatological research communities. This will allow the ASOS Program to accomplish its mission of providing surface weather observation across approximately 1,000 locations in support of flight operations in the National Airspace System and all Naval Air Stations globally.

The total estimated value for this action is over a one-year base period and four one-year option periods beginning 9/1/2024 and continuing through 8/31/2029 if all options are exercised.

4. Authority and supporting rationale. The following circumstance justifies limiting the source as supported below:

Only one source under the authority of FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) - Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

Vaisala, Inc. is the sole manufacturer and provider of the WMT700 IFWS. The WMT700 IFWS contains proprietary algorithms and data strings that are currently embedded and integrated into the NWS ASOS system, providing digitized signal processing of surface wind direction and wind speed measurements. The WMT700 IFWS meets specific Air Traffic Organization requirements for ASOS and has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The WMT700 was subject to an estimated two-year compatibility test process at the NWS Sterling

REQUIREMENTS-24-1179

Field Support Center and was operationally tested at 12 ASOS sites in 2017 and the wind sensors are currently operating in field ASOS units. Furthermore, the WMT700 IFWS does not require legacy ASOS firmware changes. Wind sensors manufactured by other companies are incompatible with the current hardware and the mechanical interface required to function properly with the ASOS and existing data stream transmission protocols. Utilizing a different wind sensor would require the ASOS system hardware, mechanical interface and data stream transmission protocols to be reconfigured. In addition to the reconfiguring the ASOS units, a different sensor would be subjected to an estimated two-year compatibility test process before it can be put in place for fielded operational use. If the NWS tests a new wind sensor for the estimated two-year period, there will be a deficit of available wind sensors to compete the ongoing deployment to fielded systems. This deficit would negatively impact the NWS mission of providing weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

5. Determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), GSA has already determined the prices of supplies and fixed price services under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer will also request additional discounts/price reductions consistent with FAR 8.405-4.

Prior to award, the Contracting Officer will conduct a price evaluation in order to conclude that BPA establishment represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs. Quoted pricing will be compared to the company’s GSA schedule price list and historical prices paid for previous purchases.

6. Market research conducted among schedule holders (or reason market research was not conducted).

Market Research was conducted to determine the extent to which this requirement could be solicited. The government posted a Sources Sought Notice to SAM.gov on June 12, 2024 with a response date of June 26, 2024. The government received only one response from this notice, which was submitted by the suggested source Vaisala, Inc. in which they confirmed their capabilities to provide the required sensors. The government also performed market research by examining sources on GSA Advantage. The results showed that there are no authorized resellers of the Vaisala WMT700 wind sensor and there is no other wind sensor identified capable of interfacing with the software, hardware and mechanical function of the current ASOS units.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

All supporting facts have been documented herein, there are no additional facts to be reported.

8. Actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

As this requirement has been traditionally awarded sole source throughout its lifecycle, the additional sensors are to support spares and necessary replacement for sensors in field units.

REQUIREMENTS-24-1179

The ASOS program is currently undergoing Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). Once the SLEP process is complete, the program office will consider soliciting a competitive requirement for alternative wind sensors because the ASOS SLEP upgrade will allow the flexibility to utilize other wind sensors.