SOLE SOURCE: Haas Wireless Intuitive Probing System Components for NOAA/NWS

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 6.103-1, with Phillips Corporation, Federal Division in Hanover, MD a purchase order for the Haas Wireless Intuitive Probing System (WIPS) and associated components for the National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center, MS. The Government has utilized the authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.103-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, to award a purchase order to Phillips Corporation.

The sole source determination is based on obtaining two Haas Wireless Intuitive Probing Systems to be installed on existing Haas CNC mills located in the NDBC machine shop. Additionally, an I/O Board will be installed on one of the CNC machines updating the system to allow the use of WIPS. This procurement includes service where a technician will install the WIPS, update and verify software for both CNC mills, update software on existing Haas Lathe and install Y axis cover on one CNC mill.

Service includes leveling of all three machines then testing machine functions. Phillips Corporation Inc., Federal Division is the sole and exclusive distributer for Haas CNC for US government facilities. This includes any Haas CNC machine tools, the proprietary hardware and firmware, services and training on Haas machines and tools.

Although third party probes are commercially available, installation of these probes on the Haas CNC can create integration challenges, often bypassing the designed-in, seamless operation of the machine's control. Non-Haas probes require custom code to integrate with Haas machines which may slow set up and increases risk of improper integration with the Haas native software therby opening up the organization to risk of reduced accuracy and damage to the CNC machines.

Additionally, when the Haas technician installs the WIPS, they will upgrade the firmware for the existing CNC machines as part of the installation process. If NDBC were to use a non-Haas probe vendor, a separate procurement would have to be made to have Haas upgrade the CNC firmware which would result in additional cost to the government. The award will be made directly to Phillips Corporation and Haas has no other authorized partners or resellers who can provide the Haas WIPS system and associated components.