Mechanical Power Switches for Acoustic Releases

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with EdgeOne, LLC, :4 Little Brook Road, West Wareham, MA 02576, for seventy-five (75) 003103 mechanical power switch assemblies for the EdgeOne 8242XS acoustic releases for the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) at Stennis Space Center, MS.

Sole Source Justification
Tsunami programs use the 8242XS acoustic releases on every station. The installation of these switches will prevent the field service technicians from needing to open the pressure housing on the acoustic release to plug in the batteries on the deck of a ship just before deployment. The releases without switches are shipped with the batteries unplugged because they power the printed circuit boards once plugged in and the batteries can discharge during shipping and storage. The NDBC is unable to get the releases to activate at the end of a deployment. Opening these pressure housings in an uncontrolled environment during deployment can result in damage, fouling, or leaking of o-ring gaskets. Damage to these sealing o-rings can cause the pressure housing to leak and get water intrusion or to more dramatically implode when deployed due to the pressure of the sea water on the ocean floor. Further, when opened on the deck of a ship, moist air can get into the housings which can condensate on deployment and cause the electronics to short. With the 003103 switches, the pressure housing can be sealed, leak tested, and purged with dry nitrogen in the NDBC laboratory before shipping.

EdgeOne LLC manufactures this mechanical switching unit to fit on the EdgeOne 8242XS pressure housing. The use or modification for use of any other switch or the acoustic release to use another mechanical switch that can withstand 6000 meter depth pressure rating voids any warranty or liability that EdgeOne LLC has on the acoustic release. EdgeOne LLC designed these switches to install in a purge port on the pressure housing so no modifications are required for this specific switch. The switch housing is o- ring sealed and capable of withstanding the pressure of 6,000 meters of water. The switch is designed such that it cannot be accidentally activated or activated from rough handling during deployment. The electronical contacts are specifically designed to mate with the existed power connectors. EdgeOne LLC does not have any distributors for the 8242XS releases or their power switch assemblies.

Special Notice
This is the only notice to be posted. This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the mechanical power switch assemblies may submit substantiating documentation in writing within five (5) business days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to shelley.smith@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to EdgeOne LLC.

DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.

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