Kessler Sapper Auto DCP System

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) intends to issue a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) single source award to Kessler Soils Engineering Products, Inc. (CAGE 07JY2) for the purchase of an Automatic Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (ADCP) that can measure blow count and penetration with each blow to a minimum depth of 48 inches into the soil.  The ADCP should be able to run without a person assisting. The A-DCP should work with standard computers to include tablets such as a Microsoft surface. The A-DCP should mount to a vehicle by integrated class 3 receiver hitch typical of most pick-up trucks, SUVs, and ATVs. There is only one known company, Kessler Soils Engineering (KSE), a woman owned small business, capable of manufacturing and delivering the Sapper G Auto DCP System due to this being proprietary equipment. The company started in 1994 manufacturing Dynamic Cone Penetrometers (DCP) under license from the U.S. Government using the US Army Corps of Engineers patented design. This design is required to meet ASTM D6951.  

The award will be issued in accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i). The applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code is 334513 (Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables) with a size standard of 750 employees. This notice of intent is for information purposes only.  

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement.  The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each. 

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Allison Hudson at Allison.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil AND Jon-Vincent Holden at Jon-Vincent.S.Holden@usace.army.mil.  The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission.  Responses must be received no later than 1:00PM CST August 28th, 2023.