70--Notice of Intent to Sole Source / OPAL-RT

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to OPAL-RT Technologies for an OPAL-RT system which includes a combination of hardware (OP5700 real-time simulator, etc.), software licenses (eMEGASIM, etc.), training, and maintenance support. This is considered a sole source to OPAL-RT Technologies because, to the best of the NETL’s knowledge, based on market research conducted, OPAL-RT Technologies is the sole source provider of this exact brand hardware/software system required for compatibility and to interface with DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and NETL, and therefore, the only known source that can provide these exact items. NETL and INL are collaborating on a project that will improve the reliability and stability of the nation’s electric grid using solid oxide fuel cells to build hybrid power systems with greater operational flexibility. In real world applications, power generation is coupled to the electric grid through power electronics using voltage transformers and regulators. An interface is needed between the INL real time grid simulations and NETL’s hybrid performance facility to emulate the power electronics piece of the system. This link will be provided through the OPAL-RT system. The OPAL-RT system will be used to construct a virtual power bus as the connection between the INL digital real time grid simulation and the NETL hybrid performance facility. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy NETL's requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for quote/proposal. Any interested party that believes it is capable of meeting the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 4:30 PM EDT on May 13, 2019. Responses must be submitted in writing to the purchasing agent, Lora Stumpf, via email at [email protected] no later than the time and date noted above. Telephone responses and requests will not be received. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on 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.