Special Notice for NOAA AKFSC Electromagnetic Flow Sensors and Signal Converters

Special Notice: 25-0009 NOAA / NMFS / AKFSC The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AKFSC), intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with FTI Flow Technology LLC, to procure the following:

6" Electromagnetic Flow Sensor with Electromagnetic Flow/Signal Converter for Flow Sensor (3 each). The NOAA Fisheries Ted Stevens Research Institute (AFSC/ABL/TSMRI), located at Lena Point in Juneau, Alaska, has procured an ultra-violet (UV) disinfection system that will treat combined waste sea water from laboratory aquariums, experiment tanks and the building’s heating system. The waste sea water is discharged to coastal waters via a marine outfall in Favorite Channel.

The discharge of wastewater from this outfall is regulated by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). ADEC has issued an Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit for the outfall (permit number AK0053236). The permit establishes allowable limits for wastewater parameters including flow, Fecal coliform (FC) bacteria, Enterococci bacteria (EB), pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), temperature, and ammonia nitrogen.

The UV disinfection system is required in order to meet the Fecal coliform and Enterococci bacteria limits stipulated in the permit. This purchase is to buy flow sensors and converters for the new UV disinfection system in accordance with the system design approved by ADEC. The FTI flow meters are required by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation-approved design for a new ultraviolet filtration system at TSMRI. Any deviation would require another design review.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke Bay Lab requires the FTI Flow Technology brand Flow Sensors and Signal Converters in order to build and incorporate into their ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system that will treat combined waste sea water from laboratory aquariums, experiment tanks and the building’s heating system. The UV disinfection system is a requirement for discharging waste sea water from the Auke Bay Lab and without the sensors and signal converters, the system would not operate.

Furthermore, the NOAA Fisheries would be out of compliance with the State of Alaska and would not meet the requirements as listed in the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) issued an Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit for the outfall, where ADEC suggested and approved the Flow Sensors and Signal Converters as part of the system.

Any deviations to the system will require another design review and approval by ADEC, which will delay the construction of the UV disinfection system. If ADEC does not approve a new system design, the laboratory will be considered noncompliant and will not meet the Fecal coliform and Enterococci bacteria outfall limits stipulated in their permit. The FTI flow meters are required by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation-approved design for a new ultraviolet filtration system at TSMRI.

Any deviation would require another design review. The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 334514, with a Small Business size standard of 850 Employees. FTI Flow Technology LL is the manufacturer and sole reseller of the required water flow sensors and signal converters. The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special Notice of intent 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 in writing. Submissions are due no later than January 3, 2025 at 5pm Eastern Time. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses may be emailed to Christie.Lang@noaa.gov. Such 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 compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only can FTI Flow Technology LLC, can provide the requirements stated above. Attachment Redacted Single Source Determination