Aquadopp Current Meters

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 NortekUSA, LLC, for ten (10) Aquadopp Current Meters for tropical buoys for the Atlantic Operational and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, FL. A Sources Sought Notice was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website on July 18, 2014 and closed on July 31, 2014. No responses were received. Brand Name Justification This procurement is for sensors that measure ocean currents on remotely moored tropical buoys. These buoys are part of a larger international effort to monitor ocean conditions in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean which has been an ongoing effort since 1997. There are a number of manufacturers of current meters, but only one has the velocity range of up to 5m/s, with a depth rating of 400m, a real time clock with a drift of 1 minute/year, temperature accuracy of 0.1 degree Celsius and resolution of .01 degree Celsius and pressure accuracy of .5% and resolution of .005% of full scale. Ocean tests and evaluation conducted by Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) Group showed that the Aquadopp was the only sensor able to maintain the measurement stability needed for usage in the equatorial regions where the atmospheric pressure signal is small, thus requiring greater accuracy and stability than in other regions of the world. AOML will collaborate with the PMEL's TAO group who has worked with Nortek to develop a single point acoustic current meter to be used with the buoy data logger system. Nortek engineers have specifically integrated the Seabird inductive modem for communications with the buoy data logger system. Nortek also specifically designed the mechanical modem and clamping mechanism for PMEL's mooring wire application, which AOML will use in this project. In addition, the Nortek Aquadopp is the only current meter currently on the market with an integrated inductive modem that meets the project's deployment duration requirement of continuous sampling at 10 minute interval for 400 days. A few years ago, the TAO Group completed an extensive test and evaluation process, including multiple test deployments in the Puget Sound, the Gulf of Alaska and the Indian Ocean. Current meters from three (3) different manufactures were tested. As a result of this testing and evaluation, the Nortek Aquadopp was chosen as the primary current meter to incorporate into the design of the buoy data system because it was the only current meter to meet the deployment duration requirements. Its superior data quality, mechanical and functional design, ease of use, and reliability, made it the only choice for the application. The use of a different current meter would require the expense of a redesign of the buoy data logging system and a test and evaluation period, which would preclude the projects from meeting its international obligations for cruise deployments. Specifications Ten (10) Aquadopp, 400m depth rating current meters, each with the following: • Standard housing that accommodates two batteries or 100Wh package • Pressure sensor rated 0-200m • Aquadopp IM-type transducer head (ALD) • Compass and tilt sensor • 10m RS232 polyurethane cable with 80pin inline connector and usb converter • Inductive modmen for fixed wire diameter (.515" & .530") • Fin for use with inductive modem system • Fairing for use with inductive modem system • Ten(10) Lithium battery packs (quantity of 2)