U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268

66 -- SOLE SOURCE ACQUISITION OF COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS ANALYSIS OF CONSTANT VOLUME SAMPLING DILUTION TUNNEL SOL 99-14 POC Pam Legare (513-487-2015) E-MAIL: U.S. EPA -- Cincinnati Contracts Management Division, legare.pamela@epamail.epa.gov. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to negotiate on a sole source basis with Caterpillar, Inc. to utilize computer-based computational fluid dynamics software to analyze and design a novel full-flow dilution tunnel. Negotiations shall be conducted pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), which allows for negotiation without full and open competition if there is only one responsible source. The basis for this determination is that the U.S. EPA-National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor has a requirement to have a contractor perform a computational fluid dynamics analysis and design of a novel full-flow, constant volume sampling (CVS) dilution tunnel based on a patented partial-flow micro-tunnel concept. Specifically, this design would be a porous tube, radial in-flow CVS dilution tunnel. The intent of this design is to minimize measurement variability in order to accurately measure low concentrations of diesel particulate matter in diesel exhaust. The nature of the acquisition requires a contractor that possesses the unique capability to utilize computer-based computational fluid dynamics software to analyze and design a novel full-flow dilution tunnel, which is based on an existing micro-tunnel design patented by Caterpillar, Inc. This unique capability is essential for contract performance because it allows the contractor to leverage off of an existing, proven, and successful design. Caterpillar, Inc. has estimated that the work from which they will leverage the new tunnel design amounts to nearly $1,000,000 and three years of development time. Because of this unique and previously developed expertise, Caterpillar Inc.'s design of the EPA tunnel will only require a fraction of the cost and time compared to other potential contractors. Caterpillar, Inc. is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirement because of the following unique capabilities: 1)Caterpillar, Inc. gained several man-years' of expertise during the development of its patented partial-flow micro-dilution tunnel; 2) Caterpillar, Inc. can quickly and cost-effectively utilize software that was developed in-house to accomplish the tasks required by EPA; 3)Caterpillar, Inc. is willing and able to share patented technology for the purpose of providing EPA with a design of a radial inflow, full-flow CVS dilution tunnel design. Therefore the EPA has determined that a contract with Caterpillar, Inc. is appropriate under the current conditions stated above. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by submitting documentation to Pam Legare at the office identified above, by fax (513)487-2107 or by e-mail (legare.pamela@epamail.epa.gov) which establishes that their specifications meet the EPA's requirement. Documentation must be received within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of publication of this synopsis to be considered by the EPA. A determinationby the EPA not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. See Note 22. Posted 09/21/99 (W-SN382835). (0264)

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