Notice of Intent to Sole Source, Direct Simple Shear Devices

Purchase of Direct Simple Shear Devices PSC/FSC: 6695 (Combination & Miscellaneous Instruments) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) intends to issue a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) single source award to Trautwein Soil Testing, 11777 S Sam Houston PKWY W Suite B, Houston, Texas for the purchase of Direct Simple Shear Devices.

The Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences Branch (GEGB) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) currently holds the capability to execute a variety of soil testing that is necessary to complete both Civil and Military research assignments. Two direct simple shear devices, along with necessary sample preparation equipment is required.

Many companies manufacture this device, but all current lab testing equipment is Geotac Soil Testing Equipment (Trautwein). Geotac Soil Testing Equipment (Trautwein) is the only manufacturer of Digishear. Digishear is specifically required because it can test in a variety of shear modes such as constant deformation, constant load, and series of shear loadings. Digishear allows the user to specifically design a test method for high end, niche research and thus meeting the specific needs of ERDC, GSL.

Digishear is the software that ERDC personnel have been extensively trained to use. In addition to this, other vendors only have an electro-mechanical dynamic cyclic simple shear that is not capable of preforming tests with cell pressure applied, while Geotac Soil Testing Equipment (Trautwein) does. It is also important to note that other vendors only offer a machine with an operating frequency of 5 hz and Geotac Soil Testing Equipment (Trautwein) is 90 Hz.

This difference in frequency will allow GSL to perform tests with extremely low changes in pressures, loads, etc. thus making it more applicable to current research projects, as well as future ones. The sole source award will be issued in accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i). The applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code is 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing) with a size standard of 600 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 David Ammermann at David.G.Ammermann@usace.army.mil AND Janalyn Dement at Janalyn.H.Dement@usace.army.mil. The notice of intent number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission. Responses must be received no later than 1:00PM CST 21 June 2024.