Nortek USA Aquadopp Sensors and Components

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 Nortek USA, Inc., 21 Drydock Avenue, Suite 740E, Boston, MA, for the purchase Aquadopp sensors and components to use as spare parts to support waterway current measuring systems maintained by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS), for the National Ocean Service, CO-OPS, Engineering Division in Chesapeake, VA  23320.

NAICS Code:  334513, Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables

PSC:  6655, Geophysical Instruments

Sole Source Justification

This procurement is for spare parts to replace damaged components at environmental monitoring stations that are part of Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS) and the National Current Observation Program (NCOP) operated by CO-OPS. The Nortek equipment is to maintain the continued operation of the water way current measurement stations operated by CO-OPS. The equipment has been approved for CO-OPS use for the environment and type of measurements being made. Implementing a different sensor in place of the current sensors will result in additional cost and resources. In addition, there will be resulting delay for testing, training, and purchase of support equipment.

Under the current CO-OPS operating system any environmental monitoring equipment that has not previously been approved must be subjected to a series of tests to ensure the quality of the data and the durability of the equipment for the intended use. These tests usually include bench testing using controlled conditions and physical measurement, controlled environmental testing to check reliability under different conditions, and long term comparison testing with accepted equipment at multiple real world locations. These tests and the analysis of the resulting data take a large amount of time, money, and resources to conduct.

The CO-OPS environmental monitoring systems are designed to operate with the components in this purchase. Implementing different components will result in compatibility issues.

Currently CO-OPS field personal and contractors are trained in the use and maintenance of the equipment in this purchase. Additional cost will incur from having to train field personal and contractors on the use and maintenance of new equipment.

CO-OPS also has the ability and equipment to test and troubleshoot the equipment in this purchase. If new equipment is purchased additional parts and equipment will need to be purchased to support the new equipment. Additional training will also be required for those tasked with testing and repairing this equipment.  

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 needed humidity probes may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice.  Responses can be sent via e-mail to shelley.neubert@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 Nortek USA.   

FAR Clause 52.225-5, Trade Agreements, applies to this procurement. 

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.