Intent to Sole Source Vaisala Ultrasonic Wind Sensor

POINT OF CONTACT: JAMIE ROSALES-WOLD U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/NOAA WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION 325 BROADWAY, SOU6 BOULDER, CO 80305 PHONE:

303-578-6951 EMAIL: JAMIE.ROSALES@NOAA.GOV

THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION’S (NOAA) ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-BOULDER, OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH (OAR), SPECIAL OPERATION AND RESEARCH DIVISION, INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF RFO 12.102(A), WITH VAISALA INC. FOR ULTRASONIC WIND SENSOR AND ACCESSORIES TO BE DELIVERED AT IDAHO FALLS, ID. NO SET ASIDE IS TO BE USED FOR THIS SOLE SOURCE REQUIREMENT. THE ASSOCIATED NAICS CODE IS 334513.

THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON NOAA’S REQUIREMENT THAT VAISALA INC. IS THE ONLY VENDOR THAT MANUFACTURES AND DISTRIBUTES THIS ULTRASONIC WIND SENSOR AND ACCESSORIES AND IS THE ONLY AUTHORIZED U.S. DISTRIBUTOR. EASTERN IDAHO’S HARSH WINTER ENVIRONMENT DEMANDS SPECIALIZED HARDWARE, AND STANDARD SONIC ANEMOMETERS OFTEN FAIL DUE TO ICING.

THE VAISALA BRAND IS KNOWN FOR ITS QUALITY, WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY FOR EASTERN IDAHO’S HARSH WINTER ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL BIRD HABITAT THAT IS KNOWN FOR DESTROYING SONIC ANEMOMETERS OF LESSER QUALITY. PROCURING SONICS FROM A DIFFERENT VENDOR WILL RESULT IN POORER DATA QUALITY AND DIMINISH THE RELIABILITY OF THE CRUCIAL DATA NEEDED. OUR STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS DICTATE THAT THE TRANSDUCERS, ARMS, AND BODY MUST BE HEATED TO SURVIVE THE ICING CONDITIONS.

THERE ARE NO OTHER VENDORS THAT CAN PROVIDE A FULLY-HEATED SONIC ANEMOMETER BODY THAT MEETS THESE STRICT ENVIRONMENTAL SURVIVAL REQUIREMENTS, PLUS THE NEEDED BIRD CAGES AND MOUNTING ADAPTERS, THAT VAISALA CAN PROVIDE. ALL ITEMS MUST BE ORDERED FROM VAISALA INC, TO ENSURE SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER SENSORS AND THE CURRENT DATA LOGGER, PROGRAMMING, AND DATA PROCESSING. VAISALA INC. HAS CONFIRMED THEY ARE THE SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER AND DO NOT HAVE ANY AUTHORIZED RESELLERS IN THE U.S. DELIVERY WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM DATE OF AWARD.

THIS PRESOLICITATION NOTICE 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 OR A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE.

SUCH REQUESTS AND 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.