Notice of Intent to Sole Source, Purchase of Hydraulic Rotary Union for the ERDC Centrifuge

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 Dynamic Sealing Technologies, LLC, 13829 Jay ST NW, Andover, Minnesota for the purchase of Hydraulic Rotary Unions for the ERDC Centrifuge.

The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Lab (GSL) requires a new hydraulic rotary union to support ongoing research in the Centrifuge Research Complex (CRC). The rotary union is used to transfer hydraulic oil, chemicals, water, air, and a variety of other liquids and gases during spinning centrifuge operations. On the ERDC large beam centrifuge, the hydraulic rotary union is essential to both the auto-balance system and the on-board earthquake shake table.

The current rotary union was installed in 2010. It has undergone two major service updates, one in 2016 and again 2022. In 2025 the high-pressure channel seal failed during commissioning of a new piece of equipment. Failure of the CRC 15-year-old rotary union is attributed to its service life ending. This requirement is to replace the hydraulic rotary union. The ERDC large-beam centrifuge is a unique piece of equipment and the junction between the hydraulic rotary union and the centrifuge is one-of-a-kind.

The replacement rotary union will need to be designed and tooled specifically to match the existing, in-place centrifuge, multiple hydraulic power units, and water/air supply systems. Dynamic Sealing Technologies (DST) possesses unique expertise in the assessment, maintenance, and repair of hydraulic rotary joints and specifically designed and manufactured the last hydraulic rotary joint attached to the ERDC’s large-beam centrifuge, of which there are only two in the world.

Because of the centrifuge’s rarity, a one-off rotary joint will have to be produced to match the existing interfaces between the centrifuge, two different hydraulic power units, the existing water/air interfaces. DST already has the manufacturing expertise, and tooling standards in place to create this one-off piece of equipment for the centrifuge. The sole source award will be issued in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

The applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code is 333613 (Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing) with a size standard of 750 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 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 12:00PM CST 10 July 2025.