Notice of Intent to Sole Source to OZ Optics

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to OZ Optics for a BOTDA based distributed strain and temperature sensor with high measuring speed. NETL requires this BOTDA based distributed strain and temperature sensor with high measuring speed to test pipeline temperature, and/or strains up to a 60km long distance and 0.5m spatial resolution and to be able to detect whether the pipeline structure is being strained or heated/cooled and correct the problem before failure occurs. To meet NETL project needs, the DSTS-BOTDA module can reach the required high spatial resolution (0.5m) and measurement accuracy (0.03oC for temperature and 6µ¿ for strain) while allowing enough sensing range of 60 km. Another requirement is the sensor measurement time which is crucial particularly for distributed fiber sensors. This instrument provides a high measurement time of 3 seconds to 3 minutes depending on the sensing fiber length and spatial resolution.

This is considered a sole source to OZ Optics because, to the best of the NETL’s knowledge based on market research conducted, OZ Optics is the manufacturer and sole source provider of this exact BOTDA based distributed strain and temperature sensor. This DSTS-BOTDA based distributed strain and temperature sensor with high measuring speed is required to meet the high sensing range and spatial resolution and high measurement time which is required for NETL to test and characterize the different coated fibers constructed based on NETL’s in-house reel-to-reel coating system. OZ Optics is the only vendor that can supply this exact BOTDA based distributed strain and temperature sensor with high measuring speed. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy NETL's requirement.

This notice of intent is not a request for quote/proposal. Any interested party that believes it is capable of meeting the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 4:00 PM ET on April 2, 2022. Responses must be submitted in writing to the purchasing agent, Lora Stumpf, via email at stumpf@netl.doe.gov no later than the time and date noted above. Telephone responses and requests will not be received.

A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.