SPECIAL NOTICE
66 -- Rotronic HC2A-S3 Humidity/Air Temperature Probes and E3-02XX-ACT/01 Interface Cables
- Notice Date
- 3/11/2022 7:47:31 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 334513
— Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables
- Contracting Office
- NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION US
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- NWWG2100-22-00471
- Response Due
- 3/28/2022 12:00:00 PM
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Rotronic Instrument Corporation, Suite 150 135 Engineers Road, Hauppauge, NY� 11788, for the purchase of 10 each 30 HC2A-S3 humidity/air temperature probes and E3-02XX-ACT/01 interface cables, with an option for an additional 30 each within 6 months of award. ��This purchase is for the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) at Stennis Space Center, MS. NAICS Code:� 334513, Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables PSC:� 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies Sole Source Justification The NDBC Weather and Ocean Platform (WxOP) Program used the Rotronics MP100/101A series humidity probe as the main sensing element in the NDBC humidity sensor assembly on most CMAN and buoy stations in the late 1990 and early 2000s. These sensors were selected for use after rigorous testing of other maunfacturer�s units.� In 2003, additional testing of other manufacturer�s probes were compared in laboratory and field testing which resulted in negative acceptability and performance findings again. The MP101A model was also currently used as the humidity sensor of choice for Woods Hole oceanographic buoys and on US NAVY ships. A review of available humidity sensors was conducted again during the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) technology refresh. During the NDBC engineering development of the TAO technology refresh (2007 & 2008), the Rotronic MP101A-C4 Humidity/Air Temperature probe was selected as the hygrometer for the TAO program. Major deciding factors included it�s extremely low current draw (<10 mA), no warm up time required prior to measurement (further reducing power consumption), high accuracy (+/-1%RH & +/-0.2 deg. C) over the full measurement range (0 to 100% RH & -40 to +60 deg. C), and linear analog output. The Rotronic MP101A-C4 Humidity/Air Temperature probe was previously selected as the hygrometer of choice during the initial development of the TAO buoy. The selection of the Rotronic MP101A-C4 Humidity/Air Temperature probe for the TAO refresh buoy will be accepted by the climate community as continuity of measurement in the climate array. The study of climate patterns requires long-term monitoring (decades) of environmental parameters by equivalent (tolerance, accuracy, repeatability) traceable sensors. The TAO technology refresh buoy was officially commissioned for operational use on October 5, 2010. In late 2009 Rotronics approached the NDBC with the latest model the HC2-S3 humidity probe that was to be the replacement of the MP101A probe. At that time the NDBC was content to stay with the MP101A probe until the full TAO array had been converted to Refresh buoys. Unfortunately the TAO Refresh buoys began experiencing a high rate of failure on the humidity/air temperature (MP101A) sensor. In June of 2010 the NDBC began an investigation into these premature failures of the MP101A sensors when used on the TAO array (ESRs 367 & 529). The report submitted in January 2011 found that the probes were becoming corroded at the sensing probe tips and on the circuit boards. At that time it was determined that the future HC2-S3 probe was designed (essentially potted) so that it does not suffer water intrusion to the same extent as the MP101A but it had the same input power requirements and the same output as the MP101A. With the exception or requiring a smaller size collar to fit into the standard radiation shield the HC2-S3 appeared to be a drop in replacement for the MP101A. The January 2011 report recommended that several of these HC2-S3 probes be purchased and tested in the lab and in the field to determine if this potted surface mount electronics would result in the same quality data and improve the premature failure rate due to sensor corrosion. One further advantage of the HC2-S3 probe was that it cost approximately $270 less than the MP101A per probe. In February of 2012 several of these HC2-S3 probes were purchased and laboratory tests indicated they provided the same accuracy and resolution as the MP101A probes. After this testing the NDBC began to field test the HC2-S3 probes on both the Weather and TAO Refresh stations. In November 2012 the NDBC Mission Control Center submitted reports indicating that the HC2-S3 produced equivalent relative humidity and air temperature outputs as the MP101A sensors and did not appear to suffer the same early failures even though this was a very small sample to gather failure statistics. Based on these findings, the NDBC is now purchasing the HC2-S3 humidity probe to field in the TAO Refresh and Weather stations. The selection of the Rotronics MP101A and the newer HC2-S3 for both the TAO and WxOP program (including Alaska, Hurricane, and CMAN) reduces sparing levels (and cost) as these sensors, as well as their radiation shield housings, can be shared among programs. Further, automated tests have been developed specifically for these sensors to reduce NDBC Calibration Laboratory labor. The selection of an alternate relative humidity and air temperature sensor would result in extensive laboratory and field testing before it could be used on an operational station. This includes the side-by-side testing of full systems (buoy hull/mast, and full payload and sensor suite) since the TAO payloads are not equipped to add extra humidity sensors. Special Notice This is the only notice to be posted.� This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the needed humidity probes may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice.� Responses can be sent via e-mail to shelley.neubert@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 Rotronic Instrument Corporation. �� FAR Clause 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act, Alternate I, applies to this procurement.� 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 (800)333-0505.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/73120d78cab34936b757fa92f72bd965/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Hauppauge, NY 11788, USA
- Zip Code: 11788
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 11788
- Record
- SN06264484-F 20220313/220311230102 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
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