Notice of Intent to Sole Source Development of Custom Research-grade X-band Radar System

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center – Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC-CHL)’s Field Research Facility (FRF) in Duck, NC requires the development of a research-grade X-band radar system for fundamental science in radar signal processing, with proven success resolving surfzone waves, sand bars, and currents, which is not provided by any commercial radar system. This requirement will include a base period and two option periods.

ERDC-CHL intends to award on a sole source basis to Oregon State University in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

Market research indicates that Oregon State University is the only source for this requirement because it has experience developing and deploying surfzone radar systems over 10 field campaigns with demonstrable success in over a dozen research publications using systems that consist of open-source custom software with hardware adaptations that enable retrieval of raw signals from the radar, which is unique from the commercial of the shelf (COTS) systems. Oregon State University has developed systems that meet ERDC’s needs for bathymetry algorithms and current estimation in terms of data format, access to raw backscatter signals, and spatial/temporal configuration options. This is unique from COTS systems which contain proprietary onboard signal processing, as well as limitations in configurations to sampling resolution (space, time) and coverage (azimuth, range). Additionally, alternative systems are designed for deep-water oceanic research but are not well-vetted for surfzone use. The Oregon State University system is demonstrated to provide high resolution bathymetry and wave spectra in littoral zones. Finally, it is the only surfzone radar system to have been field-tested at multiple sites with academic publications on topics of bathymetric inversion. The bathymetric inversion algorithm was developed in-house at ERDC and continues to be a foundational tool in military technical work. This is the only radar bathymetry inversion approach that indicates successful resolution of nearshore sand bar features and dredge deposits. Implementing a custom Oregon State University surfzone radar will enable streamlined compatibility with presently used algorithm, enabling immediate efforts in tool advancement rather than backtracked reconfiguration.

This is a notice of intent to sole source synopsis, not a solicitation or a request for competitive quotations.  This is not a set-aside of any kind.  Any interested party that believes they should be considered as capable of fulfilling this requirement should submit a capability statement of their related products or services to be reviewed for technical content.  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 the contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government    All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will in any way alter the Government’s acquisition strategy.

Please provide responses to this notice no later than the time listed above in this notice, to: Rhoda.A.Lewis@usace.army.mil and CHL-CT-Quotes@usace.army.mil and reference Opportunity Number “W912HZ25Q160E” in the Subject Line of the submission.

Telephone responses will not be accepted.