NOAA: Gearbox repair kits as replenishment spares for NEXRAD maintenance at the National Logistics Support Center (NLSC) in Grandview, MO.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition and Grants Office, Eastern Acquisition Division-Kansas City intends to negotiate and award a purchase order, on a sole source basis, under authority of RFO FAR 6.103-1, with Peerless-Winsmith, Inc. for replacement Gearbox Kits in support of the NEXRAD maintenance at the National Logistics Support Center in Grandview, MO.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s Sole Source Justification. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), PEERLESS-WINSMITH, INC. of Springville, NY, is the sole source capable of delivering the identified K1 and K2 Gearbox Kits for the NWS NEXRAD program. Without this source the NWS risks compromising reliability and leading to inconsistent or missing radar data critical for NWS, FAA and DOD operations, and public safety. Maintenance delays would increase, prolonging downtime and reducing weather monitoring capabilities. This would directly impact public safety, as accurate radar data is essential for NWS, FAA and DOD tri-agency missions to protect life and property through accurate weather alerts and warnings.

Due to the proprietary nature of these products, market research was deemed to be not applicable. Spares for the component of the NEXRAD K1 and K2 Gearbox Kits have to meet the qualification standards of the NWS to be considered for purchase. This vendor, WINSMITH, meets the qualification standards based on past performance of part numbers 651229-124 and 651229-41. Furthermore, WINSMITH, is the only company qualified to assemble the K1 and K2 Gearbox Kits, closely associated with the NEXRAD Gearbox Assembly. If another company were to be considered this would require NWS qualification testing and acceptance. This process is unacceptable at current time because it would require significant funding and labor resources of the NWS NEXRAD Retrofit Management Team.

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