SAM #140802-26-0504

NOAA sole-source procurement for Rugged Controls winch control displays

NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) is seeking to procure four Rugged Controls RPC-90X-C-SA-MEA-REN winch control displays for its Pacific Marine Operations Center. - Sole-source procurement: NOAA intends to negotiate directly with Rugged Controls LLC, the OEM, due to proprietary design and compatibility requirements. - Product details: - Four (4) RPC-90X-C-SA-MEA-REN Rugged Programmable Control Displays - Safe Area, Measurement Build, Panel Mount configuration - Used for winch wire tension monitoring on oceanographic and fisheries science vessels - Compatibility: - RPC-90x series is the replacement for legacy Lci90 units used throughout NOAA's fleet - Only Rugged Controls units are compatible with existing systems; alternatives would require significant engineering and retraining - Vendor requirements: - Interested parties must demonstrate ability to supply Rugged Controls equipment - Must provide evidence of OEM authorization and pricing - Commercial opportunity: - This is a sole-source justification, but NOAA will consider responses from authorized Rugged Controls vendors - No additional services requested; procurement is for equipment only

Description

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Marine Operations Center - Pacific (MOC-P) is requesting four (4) RPC-90X-C-SA-MEA-REN Rugged Programmable Control Displays, Safe Area, Measurement Build, Panel Mount. The units will be provided by Rugged Controls LLC, located at 4211 24th Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98199.

NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations manages and operates a fleet of oceanographic survey and fisheries science ships. These vessels use winch control displays manufactured by MTNW or Rugged Controls. Rugged Controls purchased MTNW in 2014, and the RPC-90x is the current replacement for the legacy Lci90 units used throughout the NOAA fleet.

The intended use is to provide stable and accurate winch wire tension information used by the science community, deck departments, and vessel pilots. Accurate information regarding the location of underwater packages in the water column, winch tension, and angle is critical to mission science, safe navigation, personnel safety, and equipment safety.

Other manufacturers’ products would require a completely new installation and mounting arrangement, as well as training for both users/operators and maintainers. The RPC-90x is nearly identical to the equipment currently installed throughout the NOAA fleet and can be installed with minimal changes. Use of another manufacturer’s system would result in additional engineering, training, installation, and review requirements and could require the vessel to be dockside for an extended period.

Rugged Controls is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the RPC-90x and holds proprietary rights to the design and configuration of these winch control displays. Market research identified other manufacturers of winch control displays; however, no other source was identified that possesses the required technical knowledge or integration rights to provide the required Rugged Controls equipment with the necessary compatibility, parts, and technical support.

The Government is not aware of any other vendors that can provide the required Rugged Controls RPC-90x units while maintaining compatibility with the existing NOAA fleet systems. Therefore, the Government intends to acquire these supplies under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate directly with Rugged Controls LLC under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, any interested party that can provide the required Rugged Controls RPC-90x units and can demonstrate its ability to meet the Government’s requirements without additional engineering, training, installation, or compatibility impacts may submit a statement of capabilities. Timely received capability statements will be considered by NOAA, OMAO.

A statement of capabilities shall include detailed information demonstrating the ability to provide four (4) RPC-90X-C-SA-MEA-REN Rugged Programmable Control Displays, evidence of authorization to provide the OEM equipment, and pricing including shipping and handling. Responses shall be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 10, 2026. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement 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.

Evidence must be provided demonstrating the ability to furnish the Rugged Controls RPC-90X-C-SA-MEA-REN units required by NOAA. The capability statement, price list, and any other information furnished must be in writing and contain sufficient detail to allow the Government to determine whether the party can meet the requirement. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 10, 2026 to alexander.cancela@noaa.gov.  

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