The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, located administratively within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) intends to purchase six (6) YSI Inc. EXO2 multi-parameter water quality sondes  with six sensor ports and one wiper port and associated accessories from Fondriest Environmental located in Fairborn, OH 45324. 

Pursuant to HABHRCA Legislation S: 1254; PL-113-124, GLERL is required to monitor harmful algal bloom growth and toxicity in the Great Lakes. To meet this requirement, a Bluetooth requirement exists to limit cabling to the sensors from a vessel on the water, providing for less labor, better safety, and highly accurate readings as part of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control requirements. The algae sensors measure chlorophyll and blue/green an alga, which reports the levels of toxic algae in the water. 

YSI Inc., is the only manufacturer of sensors that employ Bluetooth technology in their sondes, as well as internally stored calibration coefficients in their individual sensors. These features make field swapping of sensors and communications accurate. YSI Inc. is the only manufacturer to provide sondes that include a Total Algae sensor.

YSI Inc.'s software interface uses Smart QC quality assurance checks to search for and prevent faults, errors, and lost data before the Sondes are deployed. This is an invaluable service that no other company provides for this type of Sonde and associated sensor suite.  YSI Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xylem Corporation, is the only manufacturer of the EXO2 sondes, their compatible sensors and accessories.

Fondriest Environmental has been identified as the only source that can provide the needed items as specified below that will also meet the Government’s intended use based on the company is the only authorized distributor for selling the EXO2 sondes and compatible sensors and accessories in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania.  This procurement will provide essential data on the harmful algal bloom growth and toxicity in the Great Lakes area to the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL).   If the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory cannot procure the needed sondes, it will have a negative impact on their ability to provide harmful algal bloom and toxicity data that is critical in maintaining clean drinking water for the public.

The requirements for the items are as follows: 

Ø  EXO2 Multi Parameter water quality sonde with 6 sensor ports & 1 wiper port, 250m depth sensor

o   YSI Part # 599502-03

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO wiped conductivity & temperature sensor

o   YSI Part # 5599827

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO unguarded pH/ORP sensor

o   YSI Part # 599706

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO Optical dissolved oxygen sensor

o   YSI Part # 599100-01

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO turbidity sensor

o   YSI Part # 599101-01

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO freshwater total algae sensor (chlorophyll & phycocyanin)

o   YSI Part # 599102-01

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO fDOM sensor

o   YSI Part # 599104-01

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO2 central wiper

o   YSI Part # 599090-01

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO USB signal output adapter

o   YSI Part # 599810

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO DCP signal output adapter

o   YSI Part # 599820

o   Quantity:  6

Ø  EXO2 hard sided wheeled carrying case

o   YSI Part # 599020-02

o   Quantity:  6

All items under this contract shall be FOB Destination and shall be delivered to the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) located at 4840 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

The Government is not aware of any other vendors that can provide this specialized equipment while also meeting all of the requirements listed above.

The intended procurement is for water quality sondes.  The Government intends to acquire under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions Procedures and FAR Part 12 Commercial Items.  The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source (Fondriest Environmental) under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).   All proposals received prior to the close of this notice will be considered by the Government.  However, this is not a request for proposals and there is no solicitation available at this time.  The Government reserves the right to solicit quotes based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this notice or issue a purchase order to Fondriest Environmental, whichever is determined to be more advantageous to the Government without further notice.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  In order to be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide the needed water quality sonde equipment.  Interested firms should submit its name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and a brief statement regarding its capability to provide the water quality sonde equipment that provide the same form, fit and function as the equipment specified above.  Any responses that provide for water quality sonde equipment other than that specified must be accompanied by descriptive literature and show it meets the same form, fit and function.  Please include the name, telephone number, and point of contact for businesses or other Government agencies to which your company has previously provided the proposed aerial data services.

 Offerors may send their proposal via email only to [email protected].  The NAICS code for this requirement is 334511.  All responsible sources may submit requested information which will be considered by the Agency.  All contractors doing business with this Contracting Office (Eastern Region Acquisition - Kansas City Division) must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website.  Vendors can register with SAM at the following website https://www.sam.gov/