Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery Packs

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD), National Weather Service (NWS) Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Lithiumstart, Inc., 384 Oyster Point Blvd. Ste #16, South San Francisco, CA 94080 using the procedures in FAR Part 12 and 13.5, and in reference to 41.U.S.C. 253(c)(1), to procure and deliver forty-five (45) Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery Packs (Part #: BATA-3-40-PNB-15H) in support of the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Self Contained Ocean Observations Payload (SCOOP) wave monitoring systems. Lithiumstart, Inc. developed a design that met the NDBC requirements from a previous design and fabrication of similar battery packs for the US military. Proprietary rights to the battery pack design reside with Lithiumstart, Inc. This battery pack carries the BATA-3-40-PNB-15H part number. Upon successful completion of the basic battery pack design, the NDBC paid to have the battery-housing burst tested to determine if pressure relief valves or rupture disks were required for the final battery pack design. The NDBC will be required to do this testing to ensure the safety of personnel that handle the battery. The complete battery pack was also tested to UN38.3 requirements to ensure the battery packs were suitable for air cargo transport within the housings. The BATA-3- 40-PNB-15H battery packs have a specific form fit and function within the SCOOP payload's power system. The use of an alternate battery pack would require total reengineering of the mechanical, electrical and operating software of the SCOOP payload, which would require a significant amount of rework to retrofit an alternate battery pack. The battery was designed to be used in the marine environment approximately 1.5 to 2 meters above the ocean surface without another protective enclosure and mount on a constantly moving platform. The battery pack was designed to reduce weight and size while still providing the power required by the NDBC SCOOP system and to be recharged by the NDBC SCOOP solar panel system. The battery was designed to be used in the marine environment approximately 1.5 to2 meters above the ocean surface without another protective enclosure and mount on a constantly moving platform. The battery pack was designed to reduce weight and size while still providing the power required by the NDBC SCOOP system and to be recharged by the NDBC SCOOP solar panel system. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b) (1) (i), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 335911 with a business size standard of 1,250 employees. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements in accordance with the attached Technical Specifications, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if received timely, will be considered by NOAA. All questions must be submitted to [email protected] not later than April 12, 2017, 5:00 pm (Eastern Time). A statement of capabilities must be received by April 12, 2017, 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) . A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement 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 in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to provide the required services. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to [email protected] by April 12, 2017, 5:00 pm (Eastern Time). The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) is seeking sources to provide rechargeable SMBus Lithium-ion battery pack for use on the NDBC's next generation buoy's system. The battery pack will be recharged using solar panels and must be able to supply the expected load for fourteen (14) days in the event that solar energy is not available. Suitable charger modules shall be an integrated component of the battery pack design. The battery pack must meet or exceed the following minimum technical requirements: • Provide a 12 Volt Nominal (7-15 Volt Range) via a terminal strip; • A maximum output; • The battery pack must be able of providing 6.5Amps/day for fourteen (14) days without recharging (14 days at 78W/day); • The battery pack charging system will use four (4) 30Watt 24VDC Solar Panels provided by NDBC. An input terminal strip on the battery pack is required to interface the solar panels; • The battery pack total weight is limited less than 25 pounds(lbs.); • The battery pack design shall incorporate features to prevent failures when subject to sustained vibration in a marine environment. Reference MIL-STD-167-1A (Section 5.1.2.4.7) and MIL-STD-810G Method 514.6 Procedure I and Shock Method 516.6 Procedure IV (Transit Drop) or commercial equivalents; • Batteries shall meet UN T1-T8 Transportation requirements; • The battery pack will be mounted within a water tight enclosure provide by NDBC of approximate dimensions of 14.5"x14.5"x27" (Width X Length X Height); • Batteries Discharge Operational Temperature range of 0 to +60C; • Batteries shall have a life expectancy of greater than or equal to 300 charge/discharge cycles Safety Features: Over-Voltage, Under-Voltage, Over-temp, Over Current, and Short Circuit protection shall be incorporated either into the individual batteries or the entire Pack; • The NDBC is seeking to purchase forty-five (45) of the battery packs in Fiscal Year 2017 (by the end of September 2017); • The vendor shall have experience in designing a solar rechargeable lithium-ion battery system for use in the marine environment.