Advance flame refluxer heat feedback system

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (WPI) FOR ADVANCEMENT OF ITS FLAME REFLUXER HEAT FEEDBACK SYSTEM
This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition Operations Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this Notice is to announce the Government¿s intent to negotiate a sole source contract with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to advance its Flame Refluxertm Heat Feedback System, based on the contractor¿s demonstrated unique capability in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source. This requirement will utilize FAR Part 15 acquisition procedures.
WPI developed, under BSEE contract no. E15PC00004, technology to capture heat from fire flames and transfer it to oil slicks on water to increase the rate at which oil burns and reduce harmful emissions and burn residues. BSEE uses Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) to identify the maturity of oil spill response techniques and technologies. At the conclusion of Contract No. E15PC00004, TRL 6 was achieved-- A prototype of the technology has been demonstrated in relevant environments. At the conclusion of this follow-on contract, a TRL-8 will be achieved: Final integrated system tested in real or relevant environment.
WPI is the only source that can meet this requirement and perform this service for the Government. This effort is a continuation of work that was successfully completed to demonstrate the proof of concept. The promising results from the previous studies will be matured to advance the technology by studying optimal geometries for burning efficiencies and buoyancies, testing for optimal configurations for efficiencies as well as deployment and retrieval in the presence of waves. This series of tests will advance the technology readiness level of the equipment to ready it for commercialization and/or deployment in a marine environment.
WPI is uniquely qualified to mature this technology through fabrication and testing through their fire protection engineering lab. Most importantly, WPI has a patent for this system (US20160123582A1). Since WPI holds the patent, they are the only source that can meet the Government¿s needs to continue to develop this unique and innovative technology without researching a new combustion system.
The anticipated period of performance is 24 months. The place of performance is at the contractor¿s facility, with testing anticipated at a variety of wave tanks.
THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. However, any firm believing itself capable of enhancing the Flame Refluxertm may submit technical documentation to establish their capability. Such documentation must be submitted to the Contracting Officer by 2:00pm, Eastern Daylight Savings Time on July 18, 2018 (within 15 calendar days of electronic posting of this notice). A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses received lies solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. Documentation shall be submitted in writing to Caroline Laikin-Credno via email at caroline.laikin-credno@bsee.gov, with the email SUBJECT LINE ¿ RFP 140E0118R0007 Advancement of Flame Refluxer. Telephone responses will not be honored.
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