Nortek Current Sensors

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Nortek USA Inc. for Nortek current sensors for the NOAA National Data Buoy Center located at the Stennis Space Center, MS.

A Sources Sought notice was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website on July 19, 2018 and closed on July 26, 2018. No responses were received.

Justification for Sole Source

The requested supplies are manufactured solely by Nortek USA Inc. based on company is the only vendor to provide both types of current sensors required with the inductive modem interface. In addition the NDBC has made efforts to replace the current Sontek current sensors which are no longer in production and NDBC have been deploying the Nortek Aquadopp profilers and point source current meters side by side with the Sonteks. Therefore the Aquadopp profilers and point source current meters must be maintained by the NDBC. If another manufacturer was utilized the government would have to re-qualify the item and will require substantial man hours and cost to the government for field testing.

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