Notice of Intent to Sole Source, High-Pressure Hydro Blast System

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) conducts research on the removal and recoating of AM2 airfield matting nonskid coating in a field environment. Before the recoating can be performed, any leftover nonskid on the surface of the panels must be removed. For the coating removal process, the GSL needs to acquire a high-pressure hydro system with unique specifications.

To support these needs, the Government intends to award a firm-fixed price contract, to CESCO Inc. (Cage Code: 6K233), on a sole source basis pursuant to procedures at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The required high-pressure hydro blast system is an Aqua Miser product which is solely manufactured by CESCO Inc. The Aqua Miser high pressure water blast system is the only system that meets the Government’s unique requirement.

The Aqua Miser products are only sold direct to the US Military and there are no third-party resellers. The Aqua Miser systems are proprietary, and all intellectual properties belong to CESCO, including all mechanical designs, metallurgical properties, and machine operational software. CESCO is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of all Aqua Miser products.

CESCO Inc. is a small business concern under the applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code 333996 (Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,250 employees. This notice of intent is for information purposes only. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals. A solicitation will not be issued. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.

The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement. The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Allison Hudson at Allison.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil AND Jennifer Hoben at Jennifer.Hoben@usace.army.mil. The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission. Responses must be received no later than 5:00 PM CST 25 March 2024.