Hydrogen Gas Generator Hydrogen Gas Generator (HOGEN) network for the National Weather Service

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office (AGO), Western Acquisition Division-Boulder (WAD), National Weather Service (NWS) Pacific Region Headquarters (PRH), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Proton Energy Systems, Inc located in Wallingford, CT for a Proton Hydrogen Gas Generator Hydrogen Gas Generator (HOGEN) network to be delivered to Pago Pago, American Samoa.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s requirement that Proton Energy Systems, Inc is the only vendor that manufactures and distributes this Proton/Nel hydrogen gas generator that is compatible for the existing HOGEN network within the NWS Pacific Region. The National Weather Service Pacific region operates and maintains a total of nine Upper Air stations with on-site hydrogen gas generation and storage.

Two of the nine sites have the newer Proton/Nel S40, Series 3 generators with the remaining seven sites having the older S40, Series 2 generator. The Proton/Nel S40 generator’s footprint are compatible with the existing Upper Air Inflation Building while meeting the minimum generation requirements of sustaining the weather balloon launches and 4,000 gals of on-site hydrogen storage. The Proton/Nel hydrogen gas generator is the only know product that will meet NOAA’s requirements. Delivery, commissioning, and installation within 365 days from date of award.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet 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.