SOLICITATION NOTICE
20 -- Applanix Position Orientation System Upgrades and IMUs
- Notice Date
- 5/28/2008
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334511
— Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Norfolk Federal Building, 200 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, 23510
- ZIP Code
- 23510
- Solicitation Number
- EA133M-8-RQ-0598
- Archive Date
- 6/26/2008
- Point of Contact
- Melissa R Sampson,, Phone: 757-441-6561
- E-Mail Address
-
melissa.r.sampson@noaa.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This notice services to fulfill the requirements of FAR 8.402(f)(1), 5.203(a) and 8.405-6(d)(2). The need to post the below open market items in accordance with (IAW) 8.402(f) on FedBizOpps is therein necessitating the posting required at 8.405-6(d) here, on FedBizOpps, in lieu of http://www.ebuy.gsa.gov. It is the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s intent to award a delivery order to Applanix, LLC utilizing FAR 8.4, Federal Supply Schedules for up to ten (10) Position & Orientation upgrades (from Version 3 to Version 4) and two (2) open market Inertial Measurement Units. The following justification (redacted as necessary) is provided to fulfill the FAR requirements cited above: Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity: This is issued by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD), Atmospheric Branch, for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Norfolk, VA in accordance with FAR Part 8.405-6. Nature and Description of Action: This justification covers purchases from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of Position & Orientation System (POS) upgrades from Version 3 (V3) to Version 4 (V4). The POS OEM is Applanix, LLC and their POSs are installed on all NOAA Hydrographic vessels and launches within OMAO and the Office of Coast Survey. This justification covers upgrades for four (4) OMAO ships [RAINER, OSCAR DYSON, KA'IMIMOANA and MILLER FREEMAN] and four (4) each fleet spares. In addition a total of two (2) each Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) are required to replace one currently damaged on the RAINER and to replace one taken from the RUDE for use on the THOMAS JEFFERSON. These purchases will be made from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Applanix, LLC utilizing FAR 8.4, Federal Supply Schedules. However because only one of the two required items [the upgrades] are available on the Applanix LLC, Federal Supply Schedule, a synopsis in accordance with FAR Part 8.402(f) will be issued for fifteen days prior to initiating a contract action to Applanix, LLC for the open market item and in so doing, the synopsis will essentially meet, if not exceed, the intent of the requirements at 8.405-6(e). Should the results be contrary to that documented here, the procurement strategy will be evaluated. Description of Supplies or Services: This justification covers the purchase of POS-MV upgrades, from V3 to V4 with RTK (Real Time Kinematic) and the purchase of IMU's. The POS-MV is a tightly-coupled system using Applanix' proprietary and unique approach to Inertially-Aided Real-Time Kinematic (IARTK) technology. The POS-MV V4 upgrade enables continuous positioning information to be generated while surveying in areas where GPS reception is compromised by the effects of multipath and satellite signal loss. Raw GPS data from as few as one satellite can be processed directly within the POS-MV to reduce position drift and RTK reacquisition time. This characteristic strengthens the system's ability to generate continuous, accurate data irrespective of its proximity to port, harbor, and offshore structures. The advantages to be gained by the V4 upgrade include faster and more robust heading aiding from the GPS Azimuth Measurement Subsystem (GAMS), improved heading accuracy when operating in a high multipath environment and in areas of poor GPS availability, superior low-elevation satellite tracking performance regardless of latitude, faster initial system calibration, automatic identification and error estimation for lever arm distances and angles, and the latest GPS technology from Trimble - the BD950 Compact Card receiver together with Zephyr TM geodetic antennas to provide the following: Fast response time and very low noise L1 and L2 carrier phase measurements, Enhanced tracking capability using the Maxwell 4 Custom Survey GPS chip and increased component reliability. The V3 to V4 upgrade replaces the complete PCS, which is the "top side" computer system. The PCS consists of thousands of individual electronic components, which comprise the power supplies, wiring bundles, GPS receivers, back planes, circuit boards, etc. The POS MV consists of three distinct assemblies; the PCS, the IMU, and the Antennas. The system will not function without each of these individual assemblies in place. The two each IMU components are needed to replace failed units and are not part of the V3 to V4 upgrade. Without fully functioning IMUs the system's primary sensor, the IMU, would not allow for the continuous output of the position and orientation data. Such lose of output means that the multibeam echo soundings will not register as motion compensation data; thus, will not eliminate the affects of vessel movement, and will not provide accurate information/data. As a most basic explanation, the IMU supplies the vessels dynamics to the PCS which blends these motions with its internal GPS, through a set of navigation algorithms and combines this with a Kahlman filter, to derive the vessels Heave, Roll, Pitch, Heading and Position. The POS MV (regardless of version) is completely useless with a failed IMU. A firm fixed Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is contemplated for 36 months with a minimum of two and a maximum of ten upgrades and IMOs. The guaranteed minimum will be for two upgrades (Rainer and Dyson) and two IMUs (Rainer and Thomas Jefferson), having an overall estimated value of $XXX,XXX.XX to include shipping. Additional quantities up to the maximum may be ordered for a total of 36 months. Identification of Statutory Authority: FAR 8.405-6(b)(2), Limited Sources Justification and Approval. Demonstration that the Acquisition Requires Use of the Authority Cited and Discussion of Selected Contractor Qualifications: It is currently not in the Government's best interest to replace all existing POS-MV systems with new systems competitively on the open market for two reasons. One reason is that the Government can obtain the latest technology advancements simply by upgrading to a V4 from a V3 and can do it at a quarter of the cost of buying either a new system from Applanix, LLC or a competitors system that is similar in technological advancement. The second reason is that no other system offers advancements that are of same or superior benefit that aren't already available in the V4 at the price of an upgrade versus complete system replacement. Essentially when upgrading to a V4, the PCS of the V3 is removed and exchanged for the PCS of a V4, which essentially gives the Government a "like new" system at a price of approximately $XX,XXX.XX less per radar over replacing the systems with new systems on the competitive open market. Applanix is a leader in the advancement of technology at it relates to products and solutions for mapping and positioning from mobile platforms. The Applanix POS is proprietary, as are the system upgrades and are not available from any other source. Eventually Applanix, LLC will no longer support prior versions, specifically the version 3's on the above named ships. Many of the Hydrographic vessels within NOAA already have the V4 and so it is in the best interest of the Government to capitalize on standardization among the fleet as well as on the technological advances which make the system uniquely suited to the mission requirements of precision marine motion sensing, hydrographic surveying and charting. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Prices by the Contracting Officer: The upgrades are available via GSA, as such; the price has already been determined to be fair and reasonable. With regard to the two IMUs, they are not available on Schedule; however, Applanix has provided a published price list wherein the prices are offered to all customers. Market Research: Market research was conducted using the resources of the Internet. Market research reveals that similar technology exists on the commercial market; however it is not in the best interest of the Government to replace existing systems with new for the reasons stated above. Each time an upgrade is put out on the market from Applanix the NOAA's Office of Ocean Survey, evaluates the market to ensure that technology hasn't changed as to offer something of benefit that would warrant a complete system re-procurement versus a cost-effective system upgrade. END OF JUSTIFICATION All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency within fifteen days of the posting of this notice. Submit to Melissa R. Sampson via e-mail at melissa.r.sampson@noaa.gov. Questions may be referred to Ms. Sampson at 757-441-6561.
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