Intent to Sole Source - Horsburgh & Scott Parallel Shaft Gear Box

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District has published a Special Notice announcing its intent to conduct a sole source procurement for two Horsburgh & Scott Parallel Shaft Gear Boxes. The procurement is designated for delivery to Smithland Locks and Dam, located 918.5 river miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the Ohio River. This acquisition falls under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and is scheduled with a posting date of September 5, 2025, and a response deadline of September 8, 2025. The contracting opportunity involves manufacturing and delivering specialized gear box equipment critical to dam operations. The Louisville District is pursuing this as a sole source award to Horsburgh & Scott, the original equipment manufacturer.

The primary objective of this procurement is to replace existing parallel shaft gear boxes that control the Tainter Gates at Smithland Locks and Dam, which are essential for managing river elevations and ensuring safe navigation operations. The gear boxes have been in continuous service since 1982 and are required to operate 400-ton tainter gates that adjust water elevations across the dam infrastructure. Smithland currently operates 22 existing parallel shaft gear boxes and requires two additional units as spare equipment for potential emergency replacement in case of equipment failure. The sole source justification is based on Horsburgh & Scott's status as the original manufacturer with exclusive access to as-built drawings and technical specifications necessary for exact replacement components. The contract requires complete delivery within six months from award and is funded through Operations & Maintenance, Army appropriations, with the procurement justified by the critical need to prevent potential catastrophic failure that could disrupt navigation and damage dam infrastructure.