UOM-SolSour-2026-0354 Intent to Sole Source OTT HYDROMET CORP.pdf
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- Intent to Sole Source OTT HYDROMET CORP for Pluvio2 400 precipitation gauge with mounting equipment
- Solicitation number
- UOM-SolSour-2026-0354
- Issued by
- Montana
About this file
This is an Intent to Sole Source procurement document issued by the University of Montana-Climate Office for specialized precipitation measurement equipment from OTT HYDROMET CORP. The solicitation requests 36 units of OTT PLUVIO 2 400 precipitation gauges (750MM, SDI-12 RS-485 IMPULSE configuration), 36 units of Mesonet Pluvio L Rim-Heat add-on components, and 325 units of OTT PLUVIO 2 installation cables. The procurement opened on February 25, 2026, with a challenge deadline of March 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM local time for vendors who believe they can provide equivalent products. Vendors wishing to challenge the sole source designation must submit written requests with the heading "REQUEST TO CHALLENGE" to Jody Parrow at jody.parrow@umontana.edu. No competitive proposals are being solicited at this time, and no specific award date or contract term is identified in the solicitation.
The sole source justification is based on compatibility with 88 identical units already installed under a US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) contract. The OTT PLUVIO 2 400 was selected following extensive field testing commissioned by USACE and conducted by South Dakota State University's Mesonet program, which demonstrated the weighing precipitation gauge's superior accuracy in measuring precipitation in all forms (liquid, snow, and hail). The equipment must meet USACE specifications including measurement accuracy of ±0.254 mm, a collection orifice of at least 8 inches in diameter or 200 cm² surface area, and data accumulation at a rate not less than every 5 minutes. Three competing manufacturers—Fisher and Porter, Belfort Series 5-780, and Apogee Instruments—were evaluated and determined to lack required capabilities such as adequate recording frequency or operating temperature ranges suitable for Montana's extreme winter conditions. Payment terms are net 30 days with no discount for early payment, and the procurement is administered through the Jaggaer platform with primary contact Jody Parrow at jody.parrow@mso.umt.edu or +1 406-243-4064.
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Text version
Business Services – Procurement Office Emma B. Lommasson Center
The University of Montana Missoula, Montana 59812-2304
UOM-SolSour-2026-0354 Page 1 of 2
February 25, 2026
To All Interested Vendors: The University of Montana-Climate Office is considering a request to award a Sole Source contract to OTT HYDROMET CORP as the provider of the following Pluvio2 400 precipitation gauge with mounting equipment and accessories:
Qty = 36 of OTT, PLUVIO 2 400, 750MM, SDI-12 RS-485 IMPULSE Qty = 36 of Mesonet Pluvio L Rim-Heat add-on Qty = 325 of OTT PLUVIO 2 INSTALLATION CABLE
This is not a request for competitive proposals, see intent to sole source justification. If a vendor believes they can provide the same or equivalent products please detail in writing to Jody Parrow, jody.parrow@umontana.edu how they can provide equivalent products with the heading “REQUEST TO CHALLENGE”. Failure to do so will not be considered a valid challenge. Written requests to challenge must be received by 2:00PM local time, March 11, 2026.
1. Fully describe the purpose for which this product is needed. Describe the required components, attributes, capabilities of the product.
This product is required under sole justification for "compatibility of current services or equipment, accessories, or replacement parts" to match 88 identical units already installed under the USACE contract. The purpose is this device, the OTT Pluvio2 L 400, is to record precipitation in all forms – liquid, snow, and hail. The specifications for this precipitation measurement device are defined in the contract issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through which this purchase is initiated. The USACE contract requires the following specifications: measurements must be made using a weighing precipitation gauge, the measurement accuracy must be +/- 0.254 mm, the collection orifice must be at least 8” in diameter or have a surface area equal to or greater than 200 cm2, and measurements must be accumulated at a rate not less than every 5 minutes. Weighing precipitation gauges are recognized to provide very high rain resolution, good rain accumulation accuracy and short-term precipitation intensity measurement.
2. How was this manufacturer selected? Why is it Unique, What was the market research that was performed to reach this decision?
The choice of the OTT Pluvio2 L 400 was substantial informed by field testing commissioned by the USACE and implemented by qualified scientists and technicians of the South Dakota Mesonet, South Dakota State University. The Hydrological Testbed Experiment compared different technologies including traditional tube rain gauge, a tipping bucket rain gauge with and without an extended funnel to retain snowfall until melt, and a weighing precipitation gauge. Recorded snowfall data were verified through comparison with a National Weather Service Coop station using the 8” standard rain gauge. The weighing rain gauge most accurately captured precipitation in all forms throughout the 6 month test period.
mailto:jody.parrow@umontana.edu
Business Services – Procurement Office Emma B. Lommasson Center
The University of Montana Missoula, Montana 59812-2304
UOM-SolSour-2026-0354 Page 2 of 2
3. List the other manufacturers, if any. Provide details on what required attributes/capabilities are not bet by each of the other manufacturer products.
Three manufacturers are known to produce weighing precipitation gauge with one under development by a fourth manufacturer. The Fisher and Porter gauge only summarized accumulated rainfall every 15 minutes and thereby does not meet the 5-minute recording requirement. The Belfort Series 5-780 is built on old technology that the testing by the US Geological Survey determine to be sufficiently unreliable, leading the recommendation for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program to switch to using the OTT Pluvio gauge. We tested and evaluated the specifications of a weighing gauge by Apogee Instruments. The published operating temperature down to -20C is insufficient to meet the extreme winter temperatures common throughout Montana.
A determination by the University not to compete this proposed purchase based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the University. If evidence presented reveals that more than one source is available to provide the product/services, the University may issue a competitive solicitation. If no evidence is presented in the timeframe specified, the University will award a contract to University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (Internet2).
Thank you for your interest.
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