Vaisala Weather Transmitters for the National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center, MS

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division – Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1), with Vaisala Inc. in Louisville, CO a purchase order for 30 Weather Transmitters (P/N WXT530) for the National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center, MS. The Government intends to utilize the authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106(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 Vaisala Inc. Sole Source Justification: This procurement is for the next generation Vaisala all-in-one weather sensor model WXT536. During the initial development of the SCOOP system all of the commercially available all-in-one weather sensors were evaluated for use on the SCOOP system. A very limited number of sensors met the NDBC technical requirements. The NDBC purchased different types of these sensors for laboratory testing.

After yearlong deployments at sea the NDBC identified issues with each type of sensors purchased. The NDBC identified issues wind data outages. Vaisala has updated the firmware in the WXT536 to improve accuracy and prevent this type of outage to occur. In the NDBC effort to find a commercial sensor, the NDBC purchased another model of an all-in-one sensor.

Initially, the units would not pass laboratory testing of the humidity, several purchased had pressure offsets when they were received, and their data is intermittent when a storm with lightening (static charge) is present. The NDBC has tried to address these issues with the manufacturer, but they have no intention of replacing the humidity probe with a better-quality sensing element.

The Vaisala WXT536 sensors passed the laboratory testing, and early field testing and this procurement is to purchase units to replace units that were in the field for testing and were lost, damaged beyond repair, or removed from inventory. These sensors will allow the NDBC to continue testing in the field to determine the survivability and any data issues that may be found during full-time use in the harsh marine environment.

This special notice is not a request for competitive offerors and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide this supply may submit substantiating documentation in writing within fifteen business days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to Abigail.green@noaa.gov. 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 response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to Vaisala Inc. DOC, Eastern Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM.

Contractors active in SAM have a unique entity identifier (UEI) that is used to do business with the federal government. The Government has moved to a free new, non-proprietary identifier that will have to be requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). You can register and access the site by going to www.sam.gov.