Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Kongsberg Steering System Upgrade - Henry Bigelow

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisitions Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Kongsberg Maritime Inc, of Houston, Texas, for emergency hand wheel upgrade of the steering system aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. The existing steering gear system installed on the NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow does not have a means to control the steering gear (ships rudder) in the case of a loss of power.

The hand wheel pump type H330 is needed for emergency operations in such a case. The NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow is an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) classed vessel and critical systems are required to meet ABS rule requirements and be ABS approved. The steering gear system aboard the NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow is a critical system and is ABS approved. Kongsberg Maritime holds the designs and rights for any repairs, upgrades, and service as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

As the hand wheel hydraulic pump H330 will be a component in the steering gear system, the hand wheel pump is required to be an OEM approved part specifically designed for the Model SSR662 steering gear to meet ABS rule requirements The sole source determination is based on Kongsberg Maritime (formerly Rolls-Royce) is the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and retains the proprietary rights to their designs and systems.

Kongsberg Maritime is the only OEM authorized source for repairs, service, and spare parts for Kongsberg Maritime equipment. No other source will have the technical expertise or proprietary knowledge to provide the direct upgrade parts needed to allow for emergency steering gear operations via hand pump. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available.

However, firms that believe they can provide equipment that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.

A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.