Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract - Bow Thruster Overhaul Ship Sets and Spares for NOAA Ship Bell. M. Shimada

Project Title: Bow Thruster Overhaul Ship Sets and Spares for NOAA Ship Bell. M. Shimada The US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Tees White Gill Thrusters (TWG), using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide new components and parts for the Tess bow thruster onboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada.

TWG is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the bow thruster and control system. As the OEM, TWG is the only supplier of part/services/upgrades/training for their products. TWG has no distributers or other affiliates, owns patents on all of their equipment, and has proprietary control of all technical information. The required supplies/services are compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement.

TWG owns patents on all of their equipment, and has proprietary control of all technical information. Parts and system components may only be purchased from TWG. The nature of the requirement has been deemed urgent due to unusual and compelling circumstances. Following competitive procedures would result in unacceptable delays resulting in serious injury to the Government. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 335999, All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing with a business size standard of 500 employees. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on the Contract Opportunities website. The determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Randall Chatfield, randall.chatfield@noaa.gov. All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: 140802-24-0506. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which may be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:30 AM EST on July 26, 2024. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. This notice will remain open from July 23, 2024 to July 26, 2024.