This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The government intends to solicit a proposal and enter into a contract with YSI INCORPORATED, 1700 BRANNUM LN, YELLOW SPRINGS, OH 45387-1106 a small business concern, for YSI Water Loggers to match existing equipment. Please see the below Justification for other than Full and Open Competition for further details. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government shall consider all responses received prior to the close date of this announcement. Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish bonafide capability to fulfill the requirement. A solicitation is not available. Please-mail contract specialist, Jordan Gunn with responses or questions regarding this requirement at
[email protected]. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPENCOMPETITION (SOLE SOURCE and BRAND NAME) BACKGROUND: This order consists of a purchase of 3 multiparameter water quality loggers and the upgrade of 2 existing water quality loggers that collect continuous data on the 4 core water quality parameters required by the NPS Water Resources Division for long term monitoring. We currently own 10 YSI brand water quality loggers. We also own two computer programs to process the data recorded on the loggers. The total estimated value of the equipment currently owned by the NPS is $80,000.00, if the NPS was to buy new water loggers the entire system would have to be replaced to ensure continuity in data. Furthermore we have collected 7 years of turbidity data using YSI loggers. Turbidity data recorded on the YSI loggers is unique to the YSI brand and is not comparable with loggers manufactured by other companies so it is essential we continue to use YSI to maintain data continuity. 1) FAR Statutory Authority cited: 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Per FAR 6.302-1(a)(ii)(A) Due to substantial duplication in cost that the government is not expected to recoup in competition YIS is the only company that can provide the required Water Loggers. Other companies do manufacture similar devices but they do not have field replaceable sensors nor do they meet our data requirements. The YSI water quality loggers have field replaceable sensors so don't require shipment to the manufacturer for repair and sensor replacement. This allows us to service the water quality loggers in remote locations. The ability to replace sensors in the field increases the useful life of the product and boosts our data collection efforts. Therefore the use of the requested YSI BRAND product is essential to the Government's requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured or installed by another company. 2) Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: We require a multi-parameter water quality logger capable of measuring pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, turbidity and conductivity. We require field replaceable sensors for each parameter. The probe must be capable of long-term field deployments and allow for collection of data hourly for a minimum of 6 month time period. The probe must also be capable of discrete sampling and be able to store measurements on board. We also require a portable computer interface with the water quality logger for downloading data from the logger in the field environment. 3) A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.) with the specific brand name requested: There are other providers of this type of equipment, however, only the brand made by YSI has field replaceable sensors and is compatible with equipment that we currently have, and in turn our data. The nature of the research we are doing makes continuity of data quality essential. 4) A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: As the existing equipment is already in place and must all be replaced if we were to use another companies water loggers, competition is not available and therefore market research was no completed. 5) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: YSI BRAND product has been purchased previously from the requested vendor, under purchase orders number P9840050198 (2005), P9840060274 (2006), P9840080134 (2008), P9840090072 (2009). We have also purchased two software programs for use with YSI. We have trained 3 staff members in the use and operation of YSI brand loggers. 6) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: "I certify all possible research to find an acceptable competitive BRAND has been exhausted within the time limits available to meet the assigned priority. No other item/brand will suffice." Concur: Jordan W. Gunn, Contract Specialist Requestor: Amy Larsen Title: Aquatic Ecologist Approved: Joy C. KucinskiContracting Officer