The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Omnithruster Inc., 2201 Pinnacle Parkway, Suite A, Twinsburg, OH 44807 using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide a HT600 Omnithruster bow thruster to replace NOAA Ship NANCY FOSTER’s current end of life JT-700 Omnithruster.   Omnithruster, Inc. is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and original supplier/integrator of the existing Bow Thruster.  As the OEM, Omnithruster, Inc. possesses the unique knowledge and ability to supply a new Bow Thruster. Omnithruster, Inc. possesses direct knowledge of & experience with NANCY FOSTER’s existing Bow Thruster & related systems. Further, the 2 sister ships to the NANCY FOSTER still in service as Torpedo Test Craft (YTT-10/11) with the US NAVY have successfully completed the same modification to install an Omnithruster HT600 bow thruster. Installation drawings and engineering calculations already exist for the modification so those drawings can be used as a basis for NANCY FOSTER’s modification drawings and engineering. Procurement of a different brand name Bow Thruster would necessitate a much larger engineering and design effort causing additional time and expense to integrate another brand name thruster.  The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 332510 with a business size standard of 750 employees.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities. 

Although a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Wendy Culbreth ([email protected]). 

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:  1305M2-20-00821, HT600 Omnithruster Bow Thruster
 

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:59 PM EST on April 9, 2020.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

The solicitation will remain open from March 25, 2020 to April 9, 2020 __