Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Brand Name Disconnect Switches and Fuses

The Western Area Power Administration Upper Great Plains Region in Devils Lake, North Dakota has published a Special Notice announcing their intent to negotiate a sole source contract with S&C Electric for brand name disconnect switches and fuses. This procurement falls under the Department of Energy and is being pursued under FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b) authority, which allows for sole source acquisition when only one responsible source can satisfy agency requirements. The contract will cover materials, supplies, tools, labor, management, supervision, and travel required for S&C Electric Fused Disconnect Switches and Fuses according to attached specifications. The opportunity is classified under NAICS code 335999 for All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing and PSC code 5975 for Electrical Hardware and Supplies. The notice was posted on September 4, 2025, with a response deadline of September 14, 2025.

The primary objective of this sole source procurement is to replace the LE 645 disconnect switch with compatible equipment that meets WAPA's existing infrastructure requirements. The technical specifications call for a three-phase, 60-Hertz vertical mounted fused disconnect switch with a 69 kV nominal voltage rating, 72.5 kV maximum voltage rating, and 28 kA RMS interrupting rating, including specific components like hook-stick operation and porcelain insulators. WAPA's justification for limiting competition to S&C Electric centers on compatibility requirements with their current infrastructure, noting they already have 26 S&C SMD Fuses installed across their regions, which enables shared inventory and consistent equipment standards. The procurement requires both paper and electronic copies of manuals, drawings, and instructions to be provided with shipment. Since this is a sole source notice rather than a competitive opportunity, contractors cannot participate unless they are S&C Electric, as WAPA has determined that no other supplier can meet their specific compatibility and technical requirements.