Notice of Intent to Sole Source to Crawley Creatures, Ltd.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source FFP purchase order for an upgrade to existing advanced robotic headform. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) robot needs an update to the shape of the face as well as the existing skin materials. This upgrade will encompass casting a new silicone skin and changing internal mechanical systems to make the robot move its head and face. Advanced headforms are used as research tools to assess the fit capabilities of respirators. These headforms are made with a silicone skin and defined anthropometric dimensions to better simulate respirator fit of people. Advanced headforms are cast to be representative of sizes corresponding to the International Standards Organization standard ISO/TS 16976-2 Respiratory protective devices — Human factors — Part 2: Anthropometrics (First edition 2010-06-15). They additionally are cast with a pliable silicon skin which can wrinkle and compress to simulate the movement of silicone skin. These factors facilitate respirator fit on advanced headforms similar to that which can be measured for a person. No other test systems on the market has achieved the performance that will obtain once this upgrade is completed. Crawley Creatures, Ltd. built the existing robotic headform which was delivered to NIOSH NPPTL in 2017. Crawley Creatures, Ltd. is therefore familiar with the engineering design and technical nature of the build. This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within five (5) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract 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. Any quotation/response should be emailed to Contracting Officer at [email protected] by COB 05-27-2020.