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 PCB Piezotronics, Inc. upon the basis of the authority provided at FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). ERDC-CRREL intends to procure research-grade cold-rated (-40°C) 1/2-inch PCB Piezotronics microphones that do not have a Gortex cover, and compatible cold-rated BNC cables to measure acoustic signals. The new microphones will be used to complete one partial existing microphone array at CRREL, and also to create a minimum of two more full microphone arrays to conduct scientific-grade acoustical measurements in cold and remote environments using this integrated system of three or more full arrays. A full microphone array consists of 20 microphones with one spare for a total of 21, and an equal number of cables. The microphones and accessories must adhere to the following minimum specifications: Specification / Performance Attribute / Brand: -PCB Piezotronics brand microphone and cable are required for critically needed sensor system interoperability (microphone 378B02, and cable M052AC010AC) -Operating Temperature: the microphones and accompanying cables must have an operating temperature range of -40 °C to 50 °C unprotected -GorTex Weatherproofing: The microphone cannot include a GoreTex weatherproofing cover on the sensor -Size: The microphones must be ½-inch prepolarized IEPE/ICP/CCP-type1 Class 1 condenser measurement microphones with BNC cable connectors. -Microphone Components: capsule and preamplifier -Sensor Type: condenser -Nominal Diameter: 1/2 inch -Sound Field: free-field -Polarization: pre-polarized -Preamp Power: constant current / Constant Current Power (CCP) / Integrated Electronic Piezo-Electric (IEPE) / Constant Current Line Drive (CCLD) / Integrated Circuit Piezoelectric (ICP) -Frequency Range: 8 Hz to 10 kHz (±1 dB), 5 Hz to 20 kHz (±2 dB) -Dynamic Range: noise floor ≤ 20 dBre 20 uPa, 3% distortion limit ≥ 130 dBre 20 uPa -Sensitivity: 50 mV/Pa -External Polarization: 0 V (pre-polarized) -Excitation Current: accepts 2-20 mA (DAQs supply 0-8 mA, mics usually want 4 mA) -Excitation Voltage: maximum output voltage is 25VDC minimum -Capsule Venting: rear (into preamplifier) -Housing: sturdy stainless steel, carbon fiber, or other material suitable for outdoor and field use in the required Operating Temperature range -Temperature Coefficient: < -0.01 dB/°C or better -Operating Humidity: 0% to 90% RH, non-condensing -Humidity Coefficient: ±0.002 dB/%RH or better -Ingress Protection: IP67 per IEC Standard 60529 or equivalent -Preamplifier Connection to Cable: BNC -Factory Calibration: Include current certificates for all components subject to calibration -Cables: 10 m BNC-to-BNC plug cables with sealed connections that work down to -40° C; 10-meters,Twisted/shielded pair, polyurethane jacket cable, 0.250" diameter -Calibrator: If microphones are larger than standard ½-inch diameter, include one (1) compatible Type 1 speakerphone sound pressure level field calibrator and at least three (3) compatible microphone interface adapters -User/Technical Manual: Provide in printed (if available) and electronic (pdf) form; Online manuals are not sufficient -Delivery: All parts must be delivered to CRREL by the date specified in the Delivery Timeline section -Warranty: See the Equipment Warranty section PCB Piezotronics, Inc. has been identified as the only company capable of offering a product meeting the requisite specifications and interoperability requirements of CRREL’s partially completed system. All hardware must be the same exact make and model to due to the requirement to have precisely the same measurement sensitivity in every part of the sensing system. While basic signal acquisition parameters can be easily made the same on different microphones, the inner hardware implementation nuances can be sufficiently different to result in inconsistent sensing of acoustical signals resulting in very flawed datasets. Therefore, acquiring different hardware (different makes and models of the microphones and cables) for the technical task on hand will result in poor data collection which will cause the R&D project to fail. As such, PCB Piezotronics, Inc. has been found to be the only source capable of fulfilling the Government’s requirement. 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, 25 July 2022 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.