Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Smithland Delroyd Worm Gear Box

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for the procurement of a Delroyd Worm Gear Box (E-80) for the Smithland Lock and Dam facility. The notice indicates the agency's intention to conduct a sole-source procurement under FAR 13.106-(b)(1) for this critical infrastructure component. The procurement involves replacing a previously failed worm gear box that is essential for operating Tainter Gates, which control river elevations to maintain navigation on the lower Ohio River. The Smithland facility currently operates eleven existing worm gear boxes across the dam infrastructure, all of which have been in service since the facility's original construction in 1975. The estimated contract value is $24,000, and the procurement is classified under NAICS code 423840 for Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.

The primary objective of this procurement is to replace a failed Delroyd worm gear box that is critical to dam operations, with the failure having occurred in July 2025. Contractors have until September 5, 2025, to respond to this notice, providing a very short response window of just two days. While the agency intends to sole source due to Delroyd being the original manufacturer with proprietary as-built drawings, the procurement will be solicited competitively to industrial machinery distributors rather than directly to Delroyd, as the manufacturer does not sell products directly. Eligible contractors must be industrial machinery distributors operating under NAICS 423840. The procurement will enable Smithland personnel to maintain a spare gear box on-site and conduct necessary component replacements to ensure continuous operation of the critical water control infrastructure that supports navigation on the lower Ohio River.