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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award a firm fixed price contract for Primary Surge Protectors (P/N ALW-D2-05) for the National Reconditioning Center in Grandview, MO. The Government intends to make an award to the responsive responsible quoter providing the best value in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(B)(3). This is a brand name requirement.

Brand Name Justification

This particular brand name is essential to the requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs. This brand name is justified to support the COOP program’s safety principles. Market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs within budget. The L-Com brand lightning protectors have served the NWS Cooperative Observer Program since 2013. This brand is reliable and supported by a useful website for product documentation. As for solicitation to alternate brands, one vendor said it will take up to 10 weeks to produce first articles for our inspection and testing. Prior to COVID-19 health crisis with workplace restrictions, the NWS Sterling Field Support Center (SFSC) estimated up to three months to test a company’s articles. In addition, the SFSC engineering staff has ongoing higher-priority system evaluations (i.e., ASOS and Radiosonde systems) through 2022. To pursue an alternate brand would further delay this acquisition by half a year and deprive the NWS its climate observations and necessary protective equipment for spring severe storm season. This trusted brand, L-Com, has demonstrated past performance and delivers a product to reduce the risk from cloud-to-ground lightning that could cause damage or fire.

DOC, Eastern Region 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.