C -- WSR-88D Gearbox Backlash Setting Procedures

The U. S. Department of Commerce, National Weather Service (NWS), Radar Operations Center (ROC) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), with Peerless-Winsmith, Inc. for review and refinement of the existing Peerless-Winsmith gearbox backlash setting procedures for the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Dopler (WSR-88D). The following is a list of what is minimally expected to accomplish the analysis:1) The contractor shall review the current backlash setting procedures described in section 2-4.4.2 and 2-4.4.3 of Engineering Handbooks EHB 6-513 and EHB 6-514 and recommend changes to the government with the following objectives: A) A USAF 5 skill level technician can execute the procedures. B) The procedures achieve a repeatable accuracy of 0.004-0.006 inches between the output pinion of the gearbox and the bull gear. C) The procedures require no additional site tools or equipment (additional tools or equipment are subject to government approval). See Appendix A for a list of site equipment. 2) The contractor shall account for the "high point" of the bull gear and give instruction for locating it. 3) The contractor shall account for the existing backlash of the gearbox. 4) The contractor shall provide a method in the procedures for validating that the correct backlash has been obtained. 5) The contractor shall provide procedures for the azimuth and elevation gearboxes on a LPP and FSP assembly. 6) The contractor shall submit a draft copy of the procedures and full tool list to the government. 7) Following the government acceptance of the draft copy of the procedures, the contractor shall validate the final procedures through a field demonstration of all procedures on a LPP and FSP WSR-88D pedestal. For estimation purposes, assume the field demonstration will occur in Kansas City, MO. 8) The contractor shall deliver 2 hardcopies and 1 electronic copy of the procedure. 9) If the backlash of the gearboxes is required to complete the procedure, the contractor shall deliver a list of the backlash settings for all gearboxes purchased from or repaired by Peerless-Winsmith that are currently in the field or stock. 10) If any tools or equipment are required to complete the procedure, but are not a part of the site tool and equipment stock, the contractor shall deliver two sets of the required tools and equipment in traveling cases suitable for shipping with delivery of the final procedure. Please incorporate these ten items in the following three stages and submit your proposal broken out by cost for each stage: **STAGE ONE**: Evaluation of the current installation and backlash procedures, and the hardware directly associated with the setting of the gearbox. From this evaluation, propose one or more conceptual solutions for setting the backlash including a time frame for the work to be completed. The length of time to complete stage one will be no more than 30 days. **STAGE TWO**: Based on the proposal from stage one, the contractor will conduct a field investigation at a location of the government's choice. From the field investigation, the contractor will submit a detailed proposal for setting the backlash. This proposal will not be the final proposal, but a presentation of the contractor's solution for government approval. At this time, the government will have the option to approve the proposal and continue to stage three or terminate the last stage of the contract. **STAGE THREE**: Develop the final procedure and verify the validity of the procedure through a formal demonstration. Prior to the demonstration, the contractor will provide documentation of the procedure in the form of two (2) hardcopies and one (1) electronic copy. The length of time for completion of stage three will be no more than 30 days from approval of stage two. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE 100K) as a combined notice/solicitation. No separate solicitation is available. FAR Clauses in full text are available at http://www.ARNET.gov/far/. Based on the market research conducted, Peerless-Winsmith is the only vendor who can meet the requirements for the necessary analysis. This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/CONOPS/#REFERENCE. Hard copy in full text available from office address and phone number listed in notice. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to the attention of Ms. Rima (e-mail preferred). Anticipated award date September 5, 2003