Notice of Intent to Limit Competition for Replacement Subassemblies for Lock Tow Haulage Systems

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This is a SPECIAL NOTICE of the Government?s intent to solicit and award a sole source contract. This is NOT a request for quotes (RFQ), invitation for bids (IFB) or request for proposals (RFP). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ? St. Paul District, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) as implemented by RFO (Revolutionary FAR Overhaul) 6.103-1, intends to solicit a contract for Tow Haulage Modular Subassemblies, manufactured by Timberland Equipment Ltd. from a single source, TSE International, Inc. of Shreveport, LA. The modular subassemblies are direct replacement parts for existing Timberland Equipment Ltd. systems, in use since 2001-2005 at the St. Paul District locks used for commercial navigation. The modules must be fully compatible with existing equipment, manufactured by Timberland Equipment Ltd. between 2001 and 2005. The acquisition consists of two each (with option for a third) of the following subsystem modules: ?        Hydraulic Tow Haulage Winch ? GP120-1-60EH ?        Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) ? HPU-1x60EM ?        Tow Haul Winch Control System ? consists of two (2) control stations and HPU Starter Panel. The supplies required are commercial products, customized to Government specifications. They will be delivered within 32 weeks of the contract award date to: Lock and Dam No. 5A Warehouse, W679 State Hwy 35, Fountain City, WI 54629-7214. The tow haul systems are used by lock operators to pull clusters (sticks) of commercial unpowered barges headed upstream out of the lock chambers using a wire rope that is temporarily connected to the barges. It is believed by the Government that TSE International, Inc. is the only domestic small business able to supply the required equipment. Timberland Equipment Ltd. winch systems are produced and normally distributed exclusively by Timberland Equipment Ltd., a Canadian firm, based in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. The tow haul winch systems are engineered with proprietary data. If the Government were to install subassemblies produced by a firm other than Timberland Equipment Ltd. it would lose technical support for the integrated system. The subassemblies being acquired will be used by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Equipment Repair (ER) technicians to remediate equipment failures by swapping a subassembly for the malfunctioning equipment, and then repairing/rebuilding the faulty assembly. The procurement allows the Government to maintain an inventory of fully functional subassemblies at a central warehouse, allowing a team of ER technicians to travel to any lock in the St. Paul District experiencing equipment failure and swap out the faulty equipment within eight hours, including loading and drive times. If any interested parties wish to dispute the Government?s assertions that TSE International, Inc. is the only domestic small business able to supply the required equipment subassemblies, and that only Timberland Equipment Ltd. products are able to fulfill the requirements, they are requested to contact John Riederer, Contract Specialist at John.P.Riederer@usace.army.mil so that the email is received no later than 11:00 AM (CDT) on July 30, 2026. A written Justification for Other than Full and Open competition will be posted with the Contract Award Announcement. The requirement will be solicited under RFQ W912ES26QA087. The contract number and exact award amount have not yet been determined.

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