U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268

66 -- SOLE SOURCE ACQUISITION OF DYNAMOMETER AND SAMPLING CONTROL SYSTEMS SOL 98-15 POC Pam Legare )513)487-2015 E-MAIL: U.S. EPA -- Cincinnati Contracts Management Division, legare.pamela@epamail.epa.gov. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to negotiate on a soles source basis with MTS-Power Tek to provide engineering services to integrate two different systems used for heavy duty engine emissions testing in accordance with CFR Part 40 Subpart 86. Negotiations shall be conducted pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), which allows for negotiation without full and open competition if there is only one responsible source. The basis for this determination is that the U.S. EPA-National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor has a requirement to obtain engineering and software services for the modification and integration of two component subsystems -- a DIGALOG Cellmate system that is configured to alternatively operate in two test cells and a new VX-In control System to provide upgraded capabilities in one cell and independent operation of each cell. Comprehensive knowledge of both systems, their data acquisition hardware and software interfaces, and theircapabilities in the existing engine test environment. These two systems will be located in Heavy Duty Cell 1 at the EPA NVFEL laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. MTS-PowerTek is preparing to install a new VIXen control system in Cell 1 under contract 68-C7-0019. The existing shared systems will need to be decoupled before the installation can be done in Cell 1. This will require complete engineering an analysis of the wiring and signal interfaces to determine which wires need to be removed or changed. The system installed currently in Cell 2 was made by DIALOG, which later became a product of PowerTek. The DIGALOG system has several unique and proprietary aspects that only the authorized vendor has the ability and access to analyze and would be able to change. This engineering service must be done expeditiously and reliably during the cell shutdown/conversion period. Both systems shall operate independently and be fully and reliably functional after the changes are complete. There are no other sources known to have the required access and knowledge needed to complete this task. PowerTek, which acquired the rights to the DIGALOG is now called MTS-PowerTek and has the exclusive rights to the proprietary aspects of these systems. MTS-PowerTek is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements. As the vendor for the VXIen system and the installer of the DIALOG system, MTS-PowerTek possess the skills and knowledge to accomplish the necessary work. Therefore the EPA has determined that a contract with MTS-PowerTek is appropriate under the current conditions stated above. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by submitting documentation to Pam Legare at the office identified above, by fax (513)487-2015 or by e-mail (legare.pamela@epamail.epa.gov) which establishes that their specifications meet the EPA's requirement. Documentation must be received within fifteen (15) days after the date of publication of this synopsis to be considered by the EPA. A determination by the EPA not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. See Note 22. Posted 07/27/98 (W-SN228848). (0208)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0342 19980729\66-0011.SOL)