Hands Free Mooring System Service Agreement

The Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS or Corporation) is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the U.S. Department of Transportation which owns and operates that portion of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway in U.S. territorial waters between Lake Ontario and Montreal, Canada.  The Corporation’s mission is to facilitate the safe and efficient passage of commercial vessels through the Seaway.

For approximately a decade, the GLS and its Canadian partner have been developing, installing, and using a Hands-Free Mooring (HFM) system in all 15 locks between Montreal and Lake Erie. These systems were manufactured by Cavotec, Inc., and due to the specialized nature of the HFM system, they are the only firm that can ensure proper maintenance of the systems at Eisenhower and Snell Locks. The reliability of the HFM equipment is critical to the operational success of the GLS.

The SLSDC intends to award additional work to Cavotec, Inc. on a sole source basis in accordance with the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i).  This work is for regular preventative maintenance inspections to be done by Certified MoorMaster Technician twice yearly for up to five years on Six(6)-MM400L22 MoorMaster/HFM systems operating at the Eisenhower and Snell locks. This will include:

•    Preventative and periodic maintenance inspections to be conducted jointly and according to the Maintenance Manual 2x annum by Cavotec technician and 2x annum independently by GLS technician, with phone assistance as needed.

•    Test and verification of MoorMaster operation, conducted jointly with GLS technician, to ensure these tests be carried out independent of Cavotec Technician during the remaining two preventative maintenance inspections.

•    Identify and make necessary adjustments to system to ensure optimal performance.

•    Train GLS technicians on how to address minor software updates and Data Downloads.

•    Cavotec will notify GLS in advance of any, and all software update requirements (details on what equipment requires periodic updates; PLC, Touchscreens, managed Moxa Switches, etc.) will provide immediate password assistance and facilitate Data Downloads in a timely manner.

•    Ensure that gearbox & Hydraulic oil sampling and analysis procedures meet OEM recommendations.

•    Draft site visit report following each visit and present to GLS technician and management personnel.

•    Refresher training to GLS staff on system operation, to be carried out during the scheduled visits within the time frame mentioned in point 2.1 above.

•    Reasonable and expeditious phone support during regular work hours with Cavotec technicians as their schedule allows, as well as 24/7 phone support relating to but not limited to; technical assistance with controls, programming, Cavotec-managed password resets, troubleshooting system errors via remote access to control system, technical advice, scheduling of on-site emergency calls, software updates where applicable.

The GLS shall acquire the services using the provisions, clauses, and procedures prescribed in FAR. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform equivalent or better services in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 2:00 pm EST on August 19th, 2021. The subject line of any correspondence shall contain CAVOTEC/HFM Service Agreement. Such capabilities and qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination by GLS not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of GLS. Oral communications are not an acceptable response.