Streamflow measurements instrumentations

The Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR), in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), is seeking to procure streamflow measurement instrumentation for Denver County and Denver City. The procurement encompasses the provision of new current meters, specifically Price AA and Price pygmy current meters, along with spare parts to support the Colorado DWR's current meter maintenance and refurbishment program. All equipment must be ordered and delivered by August 31, 2017. The solicitation requires vendors to submit a signed cover letter with company information and documentation demonstrating how their equipment meets USGS-HIF approval standards to Allan Smith at the Department of Natural Resources Purchasing Office in Denver, Colorado. No bidders' conference or site visit has been scheduled for this procurement. The primary evaluation criterion emphasizes that only equipment subjected to rigorous quality control and assurance procedures meeting USGS standards and approved by USGS-HIF is acceptable, as this ensures high-quality discharge measurements conforming to USGS procedures and suitable for certified streamflow records published by both the USGS and Colorado DWR.

This procurement has been designated as a sole source award, limiting competition to vendors whose equipment meets USGS-HIF approval standards. The justification for the sole source designation is based on the determination that the USGS-HIF is the only vendor that subjects its discharge measurement equipment to the rigorous quality control and assurance procedures required to meet USGS standards, despite other vendors offering comparable current meters and spare parts. While the notice does not explicitly restrict responses to disadvantaged enterprises or set-asides, the USGS-HIF approval requirement effectively narrows the pool of eligible vendors. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation. The Colorado DWR has budgeted approximately $100,000 for this equipment purchase through August 31, 2017, with future fiscal year budgets to be determined as operational needs warrant.