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 Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products, LLC, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide a Cincinnati Sub-Zero (CSZ) humidity generator for the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). The NDBC has used Thunder Scientific model 2500 Humidity Generator for testing relative humidity probes since 1999. Starting in 2016 the NDBC began testing and fielding all-in-one weather sensors instead of the discrete meteorological instruments. With the Thunder Scientific chamber, NDBC can test up to 8 discrete humidity probes at one time typically in 4 or 5 hours. However, due to the size of the integrated all-in-one sensors only one sensor can be tested at a time just due to their larger size in the Thunder Scientific chamber. Hence, the humidity testing of 8 all-in-one sensors can take two weeks. The CSZ temperature chamber has a test section sufficient to test 8 to 10 (depending on size) of the all-in ones at the same time. While the chamber has a larger test volume and will take longer to reach set points and stabilize, you should still be able to test the humidity portion of 8 to 10 all-in-one sensors in one day. For the CSZ chamber to continue to function properly and to take advantage of the RH display and control functions already built into the chamber only Gentherm CSZ humidity generator equipment designed to fit on this model of temperature chamber must be installed. While Gentherm CSZ does certify other vendors to perform and maintain the chambers they do not license or certify other vendors to install the relative humidity option and maintain the hardware and labor warranty. 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 334513 with a business size standard of 700 employees.

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

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, Natasha Thieman ([email protected]).

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: Project Title.

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 11:00 AM EST on July 31, 2018. 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 July 26, 2018 to July 31, 2018.