Sole Source Notice: Beverly Microwave TR Limiters

NOAA, AGO, Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) intends to issue a new firm-fixed-price (FFP) purchase order to Communications and Power Industries LLC dba Beverly Microwave Division (CPI/BMD) on a sole source basis for the purchase of ten (10) TR Limiters by proprietary design and manufactured exclusively by Beverly Microwave supporting the NEXRAD program’s WSR-88D Doppler weather radar for the National Reconditioning Center (NRC) in Grandview, MO.

The Government intends to utilize the authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy agency requirements, unless, as a result of this announcement, acceptable responses to this notice are received and a determination is made by the Government to issue a competitive solicitation.

The Government intends to award a purchase order to CPI/BMD for the procurement of ten (10) TR Limiters for the NRC based on their compatibility in form, fit and function with already existing systems as replenishment spares. The required supplies must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment, and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement. This particular component -- the TR Limiter – is used in the NEXRAD program's WSR-88D Doppler weather radar.

Its primary function is to prevent high-power microwave energy from damaging sensitive components in the WSR- 88D receiver. The high-power microwaves that have potential to damage the WSR-88D receiver are those produced by the WSR-88D transmitter and those external to the radar system. This particular component is critical to the WSR-88D's mission in protecting life and property while encouraging commerce. There is no known alternative to this particular component as it is not a commercially available product.

Furthermore, the time and expense required for another contractor to develop an alternative component, and the time for the government to qualify the alternative component for use, will cause significant difficulties and delays for the NEXRAD program to fulfill its mission. Communications & Power Industries / Beverly Microwave Industries is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The design is the property of CPI/BMD. The government does not have access to the specific design features.

The government has no design rights to this item and doesn’t possess the drawings that specify the parts. Communications & Power Industries is the only company authorized to repair and upgrade these units. Manufacturers that propose a solution using other than CPI/BMD TR Limiters, ASN: R400-2A5A1 must furnish detailed specifications and descriptions to demonstrate their capability to provide the required supplies that satisfy the Government’s needs.

To be considered, interested parties must be able to demonstrate their ability to provide comparable TR Limiters that meet the specific characteristics of the BMD supply with ASN: R400- 2A5A1. Capability information shall include, at minimum, name, telephone number, address of customers for which you have previously furnished the required supplies, and a detailed narrative that describes your ability to provide the required supplies as specified. The Government will give price preference to US made products.

Interested parties must respond via email to Nikki.radford@noaa.gov prior to the closing of this notice. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334419. The government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source (CPI/BMD) that can provide the required supply. This is not a request for quotes or proposals and there is no solicitation available at this time. The Government reserves the right to solicit quotes based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this posting without further notice.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to open competition to businesses other than CPI/BMD.

All contractors doing business with this Contracting Office (Eastern Acquisition Division – Kansas City) must be registered with a valid Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number with the System for Award Management (SAM) website. Vendors can register with SAM at the following website: https://www.sam.gov.