Notice of Intent to Sole Source, Instron - Universal Testing Machine Controller System

The Concrete & Materials Branch (CMB) of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is engaged in ongoing research supporting both force protection and civil works efforts which involve concrete mixture proportioning. To accomplish this, ERDC owns multiple universal testing machines and controller systems designed for concrete characterization. The CMB’s current controller systems are obsolete and are not capable of interacting with modern data acquisition systems such as load variable displacement transducers. To meet concrete mixture proportioning and characterization needs for ongoing projects, GSL needs to acquire new controller systems and software.

Due to the retention of the existing Instron hydraulic pumps, along with previous acquisitons of numerous Instron compatible strain measurement devices, Instron equipment must be acquired to upgrade these systems; otherwise an entire new system would have to be purchased which would be cost prohibitve. It is advantageous to the government to upgrade these systems rather than replace them with entirely new systems.  Illinois Tool Works, Inc. does not permit resellers or third-party vendors or service providers to sell/install their products.

The Government intends to award a firm-fixed price contract to Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (Cage 80160), on a sole source basis pursuant to FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i). The applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a size standard of 600 employees. This notice of intent is for information purposes only. 

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement.  The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each. 

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 this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Allison Hudson at Allison.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil AND Jon-Vincent Holden at Jon-Vincent.S.Holden@usace.army.mil.  The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission.  Responses must be received no later than 1:00PM CST April 5th, 2024.