Notice of Intent to Sole Source, MTS Environmental Chamber and One Pair of Connecting Extension Rods for ERDC GSL

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) intends to issue a sole source award to MTS Systems Corporation (CAGE Code: 34145) to procure an environmental chamber for its MTS fatigue frame and one pair of connecting extension rods to allow for testing of samples immersed in a water bath. Specifics of requirements are as follows: QTY: 1- Bionix EnviroBath compatible with existing MTS fatigue Frame, the environmental chamber must be able to cycle 10L of water with chloride levels of up to 3.5% during fatigue testing, and QTY: 1- One Pair of Connecting Extension Rods.  The required work is part of an effort being conducted by ERDC to ensure that hydropower turbine design standards accurately reflect the fatigue and corrosion resistance of newer steels utilized in the construction of hydropower plant turbines. In support of these efforts, the GSL requires materials developed from the same process and standards of materials from which the turbines are manufactured. Thus, an MTS Bionix Envirobath 10L environmental chamber that is compatible with the ERDC’s current MTS fatigue frame is required. The MTS Bionix Envirobath 10L is a unique product that adds functionality to the ERDC’s existing fatigue frame and is only manufactured and provided by MTS Systems Corporation. No other product will meet the government’s specific requirement.

Therefore, the Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed price contract to MTS Systems Corporation in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). MTS Systems Corporation is a large business concern under the applicable NAICS code 334513, Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables, with a size standard of 750 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 Jennifer Hoben at Jennifer.Hoben@usace.army.mil and David Ammermann at David.G.Ammermann@usace.army.mil no later than 1:00PM CST Friday, 27 June 2025.