The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Cold Regions Research Laboratory (CRREL) intends to award a contract on a sole source basis to OTT Hydromet Corp upon the basis of the authority provided at FAR 13.106-1(b).

ERDC-CRREL’s Engineering Resources Branch in Fort Wainwright, Alaska seeks to procure three (3) Pluvio Weighing Rainfall Gauges and peripheral accessories adding to their existing capability of acquiring and monitoring real time data. The required OTT Pluvio equipment is as follows: 

• Three (3) OTT Pluvio 2L 400, 750mm, SDI-12 with Ring Heater: OTT Pluvio² L 400 RH all-weather precipitation gauge with Ring Heater - 400cm² collecting area and 750mm/m² collection volume (p/n 9600-0001);

• Two (2) OTT Pluvio 2 400 Inst Tube 4” with base plate 1.5M - 4 inch diameter steel tube with base plate for use with OTT Pluvio² 400 at 1.5 meter installation height (p/n 70.020.063.92);
   
• Two (2) OTT PWS 150 Wind Shield for Install Height 1.5M - OTT PWS 150 alter type windshield 1.5 meter - for use with all-weather precipitation gauges (p/n 70.035.022.1.2);
   
• Two (2) Mounting sets for 2” installation tube – OTT Pluvio2 S Anchor bolt mounting set for use with OTT Pluvio mounting poles (p/n 99.020.083.9.2);
   
• Two (2) OTT PWS windshield mounting set for concrete (p/n 99.020.081.9.2);
   
• Thirty (30) OTT Pluvio 2 Installation Cable - Shielded installation power and communications cable (7x0.75mm²) per m – heater, 10 meter cable x3 (p/n 97.000.038.9.5.);
   
• One (1) OTT PLUVIO 2 Reference Weight Set
   
• All equipment must be compatible to be integrated into the ERDC-CRRELS existing OTT Pluvio sensor network in and above their Permafrost Tunnel.

ERDC-CRREL requires the aforementioned interoperable OTT Pluvio equipment to measure both the amount and the intensity of liquid, solid, and mixed precipitation. It works according to the balance principle, taking into account of external factors such as temperature and wind that could distort results. The unique features of this particular precipitation gauge is the use of hermetically sealed load cells that are reliably protected from environmental influences. The OTT Pluvio Weighing Gauge sensors meet the requirements for the harsh arctic environment where temperatures in Fairbanks, AK can reach as low as -40⁰F (-40⁰C).  Precipitation sensors used in the past used vibrating technology that has proven to fail due to extreme conditions or are unable to measure snow precipitation. The OTT Pluvio gauge orifice is fitted with a heated ring to prevent snow and ice buildup for more accurate measurement of snow precipitation. OTT Hydromet verified they are the sole manufacturer and authorize distributor for all OTT Hydromet equipment.

The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334513, which has a size standard of 750 employees.

This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations.  However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. Any interested party that believes they can fulfill this requirement should submit a capability statement to be reviewed. All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will in any way alter the Government's acquisition strategy.

Responses to this notice shall be submitted NLT 12:00 PM CST, 21 May 2020 to [email protected]

Telephone responses will not be accepted.

Responses to this notice will not be considered as a response to any solicitation, a request to be added to a prospective offerors list, or to receive a copy of any solicitation.  A determination by the Government not to compete the contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Note: In order to be eligible for award of a Government contract, vendors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), have no active exclusions, and complete the FAR and DFARS representations and certifications.