SAM #1174354

Sole Source Upgrade of Controlled Atmosphere System at USDA-ARS Tree Fruit Research Lab, Wenatchee, WA

This opportunity involves a sole-source upgrade of the controlled atmosphere (CA) system at the USDA-ARS Tree Fruit Research Lab in Wenatchee, WA. - Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - Location: Tree Fruit Research Lab, Wenatchee, Washington - Contract Type: Sole-source, firm-fixed-price - Vendor/OEM: Empire Controls LLC - Scope of Work: - Replacement of oxygen analyzers (140 units) for CA chambers - Replacement of carbon dioxide analyzers (140 units) for CA chambers - Provision of associated modules and proprietary software - On-site commissioning and integration with existing CA system - System Details: - Existing CA system is custom-designed and installed by Empire Controls LLC - Uses proprietary software and firmware, requiring compatible replacements - Justification: - Empire Controls LLC is the only vendor capable of providing compatible upgrades due to proprietary system design - No other OEMs or vendors are eligible for this requirement - No specified period of performance or estimated contract value provided

Description

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Identification Number: 1174354 Upgrade Control System at Wenatchee WA Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Contracting Activity: USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

The USDA Forest Service intends to negotiate a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract with Empire Controls LLC (Unique Entity ID: VGHCJEXSKAG8) for the Replacement of oxygen and carbon dioxide analyzers due to ending service life and unavailability of replacements for 140 chambers in 3 different cold rooms and associated modules/software, with on-site commissioning, to existing controlled atmosphere (CA) control system at USDA – ARS Tree Fruit Research Lab in Wenatchee, WA.

Statutory Authority: This non-competitive acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), soliciting from a single source for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), and is fully documented in accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) frameworks. 

Justification: The existing system requiring an upgrade was custom designed, constructed, and installed by Empire Controls, LLC. Custom system controls use proprietary software and firmware coded by the company. Accordingly, new components or hardware replacements cannot be completed without Empire Controls, LLC. Empire Control’s CA control systems are highly customized with unique components and software for that meet our very specific requirements. Given the unique composition and components, Empire Controls LLC is the only company that can replace obsolete and non-functional oxygen and carbon dioxide detectors on the system they designed that will work for that system. 

This announcement is published for informational purposes only. This is not a request for competitive proposals or quotations. The specialized, proprietary software and expertise are not widely available in the commercial marketplace, making Empire Controls, LLC uniquely positioned to perform the required services. Request for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. This action will be executed as a sole source purchase order to Empire Controls LLC.

Please submit all questions via email to Shavera Leveille at shavera.leveille@usda.gov NLT 1700 PDT 9/14/2026.

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