Notice of Intent to Sole Source Miniature Unsteady Pressure Transducers

NASA LaRC intends to purchase customized miniature unsteady pressure transducers from Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. The transducers must be interchangeable with previously procured transducers. Custom transducer and amplifier design work from Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. is not available from other transducer manufacturers or resellers. In addition to fulfilling NASA’s project requirements, the use of these custom transducers also reduces both schedule and technical risks associated with such a complex instrumentation package. Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. is the only manufacturer of this class of instrumentation. It would take substantial duplication of resources and time for another source to provide the required items and this additional expense is not expected to be recovered through competition.

NASA LaRC has a requirement for customized miniature unsteady pressure transducers with in-line amplifiers. Each transducer must have an in-line, compact amplifier for amplification of transducer signals for impedance matching to facility data acquisition system signal conditioning amplifiers, and a voltage regulator for sensor power. These in-line amplifiers must be approximately 0.375”-by-0.125”-by-1.5” in size and must be easily mounted within the project’s interior cavity. Each type of amplifier must be custom designed for the required environment and be of a three-wire design with the signal and power grounds internally connected within the amplifier (4 conductor wire leading from amplifier). Each transducer must employ a “leadless” sensor, for (1) the handling of a transducer, (2) installation of a transducer in the project, and (3) removal of a transducer from the project. The transducers must be delivered no later than June 1, 2020.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 2:00 p.m. eastern standard time on 03/03/2020. Such capabilities/qualifications 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 compete this proposed effort 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.

All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.