The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center – Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (ERDC-CRREL) in Hanover, NH has a requirement for a LI-COR field deployable respirometer that is capable of analyzing trace levels of methane and carbon dioxide continuously and autonomously for up to three months in harsh, extreme, Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. Specifically, CRREL requires an additional field deployable respirometer that will be paired with an existing LI-COR field respirometer to function as a system.  This new respirometer must be capable of analyzing trace levels of methane (0-500 ppm) and carbon dioxide (0-20,000 ppm) continuously and autonomously with eight long-term chambers and the ability to extend the maximum number of chambers if needed. The new field deployable system must be weatherized and operate at temperatures between negative -20°C to 45°C.   CRREL also has a requirement for several additional accessories and sensors that will be used to pair with an existing CRREL owned LICOR system ERDC-CRREL intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to LI-COR in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

Market research indicates that LI-COR is the only source for this requirement because LI-COR is the only source able to meet the temperature range requirements required for the cold conditions and is the only source able to meet the data interoperability requirements of the existing system.  The existing system requires consistent data collection methodologies specifically related to optical feedback cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy for methane detection and nondispersive infrared sensor for carbon dioxide detection.  

This is not a small business set aside. 

This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties may identify their interests 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 be in any way alter the Government’s acquisition strategy.

Please provide responses to this notice no later than the Response time listed above in this notice, 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 offers 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.