Aqua Troll Equipment & Sensors

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is conducting a sole-source, proprietary procurement for specific water monitoring equipment through Invitation for Bid (IFB) Reference No. 580-25-IFB-3933. The procurement involves acquiring specialized IN-SITU brand equipment, including 3 Aqua TROLL 500 Non-Pressure units, 4 Rugged Twist-Lock Cables, 1 VuLink CI Global Cellular device, 9 pH/ORP Sensors, 4 Temperature/Conductivity Sensors, 6 Chlorophyll a Sensors, 8 RDO Sensors, 15 RDO-X Cap Replacement Kits, and 2 Aqua TROLL 500/600 Wipers. These items are specifically intended for the TWDB's Coastal Science department to expand data acquisition in Texas estuaries. The procurement follows Section 2155.067 of the Texas Government Code, mandating bids to conform exactly to specified brand, make, and model numbers. Bid submissions must include vendor business details, W-9 form, item descriptions, quantities, costs, and licensing information. The bid is posted on June 18, 2025, with bids due by July 2, 2025, at 2:00 pm Central Time, with all items to be shipped to 1700 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701. Potential bidders can direct questions to TWDB Purchaser Valerie Arnold during the question and answer period from June 23-25, 2025, and must email submissions to Bid-Room@twdb.texas.gov.

The solicitation appears to be a direct procurement without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The procurement is explicitly a sole-source acquisition from In-Situ Inc., the exclusive supplier of these proprietary water monitoring equipment and accessories. The current infrastructure includes 10 NexSens CB-650 scientific monitoring buoys already in use by the TWDB for environmental monitoring in Texas reservoirs and coastal waters. While specific budget details are not explicitly stated, the procurement is designed to provide backup and replacement equipment to maintain a consistent and compatible monitoring system. Shipping terms are FOB Destination, with payment terms set at Net30. The proprietary nature of the equipment is emphasized by In-Situ's certification that their technology cannot be replicated or substituted by alternative suppliers or third-party components, ensuring unique functionality, integration, and support for the TWDB's specialized water monitoring needs.