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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), has a need to procure bulkhead connectors for retrofitting existing TAO Refresh Data Collection Payloads and fabrication of new TAO Recap Data Collection Payloads. This acquisition is proposed to be sole sourced to MacArtney Inc, (Subconn, Inc.). The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

Sole Source Justification:

Compatibility to existing systems or equipment - The required supplies or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement.

The current TAO Refresh and new TAO Recap data collection payloads interface to existing cables/sensors/power through the bulkhead connectors. The current bulkhead connectors and locking sleeves are MacArtney connectors/sleeves and must remain so to ensure continuity of operations without total system redesign as the mating cables are also Subconn. While there is another manufacturer (TE Connectivity/Seacon) capable of producing these connectors, through testing it has been observed that mixing cable connectors and bulkheads from two different manufacturers causes imperfect mating and dissimilar metal corrosion due to differences in manufacture. The result of this corrosion causes shorting, signal loss/degradation, lower quality observation availability/reliability, and potential compete system failure which would result in costly recovery and repair costs. The signals/power provided through these cables being unavailable or corrupt would cause all observations to be missing or unusable. Basically, if these cables fail in the field 1000 miles at sea we lose a year or more worth of observations before they can be recovered at repaired/replaced.

Although there are resellers/distributors of Subcon connectors with “stock/standard” wire gauge and lead lengths, NDBC requires the specified “non-stock/non-standard” wire gauge and lead length to support system fabrication and retrofit. Since these are wet mate connectors that are sealed, these “non-stock/non-standard” changes must be made at the time of manufacture.

This special notice is not a request for competitive offerors and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide this supply may submit substantiating documentation in writing within fifteen business days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to tyran.claypool@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to MacArtney Inc. Government will give price preference to US Made Products.

DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at

http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (844) 229- 9757.

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