Notice of Intent to Sole Source to Peerless-Winsmith for Gearboxes

NOAA intends to award a five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), firm-fixed price (FFP) contract for repair services for the Differential Planetary Gearboxes and, as needed, new Differential Planetary Gearboxes on a sole source basis to Peerless-Winsmith.

This acquisition is for the repair, recondition, and potential purchase of new Differential Planetary Gearboxes. Repairs are to "Like New" operating condition, including external appearance in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specification drawing no. 14636-5003 Rev T. The repair and recondition price shall include the parts, materials, labor, inspection, and return shipping necessary to return the Differential Planetary Gearbox to operational specifications. Estimated $2.3 million over five years.

The Government requires a sole source acquisition specifically with Peerless-Winsmith (5200 Upper Metro PL STE 110 Dublin, Ohio 43017-5378; UEID: NR9DFQKC4EM8) for the required Gearboxes because Peerless-Winsmith owns the proprietary drawing no. 14636-5003 Rev T used in repairing the existing gearboxes. No other vendor owns the right to this drawing or has sought Peerless-Winsmith’s permission to use this drawing. Due to the NWS’ low inventory of gearboxes and the amount of time a first-article unit could take, that is not a feasible path forward. As of the date of this justification, there are 3 units in stock with a weekly issue rate of .1 (about 33.3 weeks of stock). The average repair turn-around time is 290 days. Any first article testing capabilities to reverse engineer or acquire other non-proprietary options currently are not available given the severity of risk a lapse in repairs could cause the NWS.