The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Weather Service (NWS) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with Valmont-Microflect for tower supplies and materials to extend an existing tower configuration from 20 meters to 30 meters within an existing weather radar network. All structural tower components must be manufactured in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer's (Valmont-Microflect) specifications. However, the Government does not own any of the necessary data associated with the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) Tower. The design and engineering data for the WSR-88D Towers are the proprietary property of Valmont-Microflect. The WSR-88D, its subsystems, and component parts are manufactured by Valmont-Microflect. The original contract with Unisys did not provide the Government ownership of the data rights for the WSR-88D Tower production, engineering or technical data. The Government does not have any technical information associated with the Tower except site unique as-built drawings which were certified by Valmont-Microflect for Unisys within the overall Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) Program as-built drawing package provided by Unisys for each individual site. Within these as-built drawings, Valmont-Microflect part numbers are provided for each of the six standard Tower configurations that exist within the NEXRAD network. These part numbers are the only reference the Government knows for acquiring replacement parts for the existing Tower configuration. Delivery of the material shall be no later than September 30, 2002. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, NTE 100K. This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/CONOPS/#REFERENCE. Hard copy in full text available from office address and phone number listed in notice. Anticipated award date June 5, 2002.

Bid Protests Not Available