5 Aqua TROLL 200 Data Loggers and associated equipment to support maintenance efforts at the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services in Chesapeake, VA.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award a firm fixed price contract for 5 Aqua TROLL 200 Data Loggers and associated equipment to support maintenance efforts at the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services in Chesapeake, VA. The Government intends to make an award to the responsive responsible quoter providing the lowest price technically acceptable in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(B)(3).

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The In-Situ Aqua TROLL 200 Level Sensor, Part Number: 0056020 is CO-OPS standard sensor for use in remote conductivity and temperature measurement applications. The In-Situ Aqua TROLL 200 Level Sensor was approved for use in CO-OPS Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS) for remote conductivity and temperature sensing after a thorough test and evaluation of multiple sensors from several vendors. These tests examined quality of data, sensor compatibility with the CO-OPS systems, sensor reliability and accuracy, and over-all cost of the equipment (including installation requirements, annual operations and maintenance, and initial procurement). The In-Situ Aqua TROLL 200 Level Sensor was selected based on its data return reliability, minimal installation requirements, and ease of integration into the CO-OPS suite of standardized sensors and equipment. The unit is the most reliable, affordable, and expandable of the multiple sensors tested, and is compatible with CO-OPS data management protocols and validation used in the PORTS data management collection and dissemination. The items in this purchase are to be used to support the continued operation of monitoring stations maintained by CO-OPS. Implementing a different sensor will result in additional cost and resources and will affect the continuous operation of these systems. In addition, there will be resulting delays for testing, training, and purchase of support equipment. Under the current CO-OPS operating system any environmental monitoring equipment that has not previously been approved must be subjected to a series of tests to ensure the quality of the data and the durability of the equipment for the intended use. These tests usually include bench testing using controlled conditions and physical measurement, controlled environmental testing to check reliability under different conditions, and long-term comparison testing with accepted equipment at multiple real-world locations. These tests and the analysis of the resulting data take a large amount of time, money, and resources to conduct.

Currently CO-OPS field personal and contractors are trained in the use and maintenance of the equipment in this purchase. Additional cost will incur from having to train field personal and contractors on the use and maintenance of new equipment.

CO-OPS environmental monitoring systems are designed to operate with the components in this purchase. Implementing different components will result in compatibility issues. In addition, the existing physical infrastructure at these stations are able to accommodate and support the In-Situ Aqua TROLL 200 Level Sensor. If a different sensor is selected, extensive modifications to the infostructure will be required.

CO-OPS also has the ability and equipment to test and troubleshoot the equipment in this purchase. If new equipment is purchased additional parts and equipment will need to be purchased to support the new equipment. Additional training will also be required for those tasked with testing and repairing this equipment.

DOC, Eastern Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. Contractors active in SAM have a unique entity identifier (UEI) that is used to do business with the federal government. The Government has moved to a free new, non-proprietary identifier that will have to be requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). You can register and access the site by going to www.sam.gov.