Sensit SPods

This is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to award a fixed price contract on a sole source basis to SENSIT Technologies, 851 Transport Drive, Valparaiso, IN for purchase of five (5) SENSIT SPOT Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Measurement Devices.
The requirement is for five measurement devices. The devices are needed to support and supplement air toxics monitoring being conducted by EPA Region 4 and its partner state/local/tribal agencies. The Sensit SPOD VOC sensors are already in use for EPA Region 4’s existing VOC Sensor Loan Program, so using Sensit SPODs would provide consistency and continuity in the program. The Sensit sensors are the only identified commercially available VOC sensors that meet EPA’s project requirements.
Additionally, the Sensit sensors have been purchased and tested by EPA ORD and OECA and have been found to meet performance requirements for fence-line monitoring applications (similar to the EPA-developed SPod). In the single, side by side sensor comparison executed by ORD that involved LunarOutpost Canary-S (the only other identified commercially available VOC sensor), the LunarOutpost sensors did not meet performance requirements for baseline stability. The lack of a heated sensor element in the Lunar system is believed to be an issue. The heated sensor element is present in both the EPA developed SPod open-source design and Sensit SPODs, and this sensor heater provides baseline stability improvements (not yet present in the Lunar sensor). The Lunar sensors have not yet shown to meet EPA designed SPod performance benchmarks. The Sensit SPOD is the only commercially available real time VOC measurement device with a heated sensor element.
This purchase will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with Federal Regulation (FAR) Part 13.106-1(b)(1) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000.00. Pursuant to the authority granted by 41 U.S.C.253(c) (1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Mission Support’s Acquisition and Grants Management’s Branch intends to issue a purchase order to SENSIT Technologies for the five measurement devices.
The sole source nature of this requirement is based on the determination that SENSIT Technologies is the only organization that can provide this commercially available system. Market research was conducted, and the only other commercially available system does not meet the requirements (heated sensor element and baseline stability in previous testing).
The determination not to compete this proposed contract action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.
Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent should be directed to the Contracting Officer, Clare Hingsbergen, hingsbergen.clare@epa.gov and/or the Contract Specialist, Femi Obadina, Obadina.olufemi@epa.gov. Please indicate in the subject of your email: Notice of Intent Submission: Requisition PR-R4-24-00449.