SOLE SOURCE: High Sierra Rain Gauges for NOAA/NWS

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to solicit, negotiate and award on a sole source basis a purchase order with small business entity High Sierra Electronics, Inc. for the procurement of one-hundred fifteen (115) rain gauges, P/N: 2601-03 for the National Weather Service (NWS), National Logistics Support Center (NLSC) 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 small business entity High Sierra Electronics, Inc. for the procurement of proprietary high specificity rain gauges for the NWS, NLSC division as replenishment spares based on their compatibility in form, fit and function with already existing systems.

Sole Source Justification: High Sierra Electronics, Inc. is the only source in the United States capable of producing P/N: 2601-03, an eight-inch orifice, non-recording rain gauge with a 20 in. (50.8cm) capacity that also features a 24-inch measuring stick (60.96cm), marked only on one-side with 0.01 ft. increments meeting the critical specifications of the National Weather Service (NWS) required replenishments.

Without this acquisition a prolonged outage of inventory of this high capacity rain gauge will ensue which has been on back order since 2023. An alternate supply cannot be utilized at this time as the government would incur significant harm through the excessive costs associated not only through the time and labor of testing another unit, but also through the lengthy delays that additional testing would cause if another unit is selected.

In addition, there will be further processing time required for the LMB to update alternate vendor information and product part numbers to the Consolidated Logistics System (CLS) and the Weather Logistics Information System (WLIS). These varied and multiple delays will most critically harm the Government by mission impact as accurate rainfall and snow water content measurements go missing in areas that are flood prone eliminating critical information used to protect life and property nationwide.

Manufacturers that propose a solution using other than High Sierra Rain Gauge P/N: 2601-03 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 rain gauges that meets the exact specifications of the HS 2601-03 unit.

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. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334519. The government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source (High Sierra Electronics, Inc.) that can provide the required rain gauges.

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 High Sierra Electronics, Inc. in the event of future opportunities. All contractors doing business with the NOAA Eastern Acquisition Division 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.