SPECIAL NOTICE: In accordance with the response received to the announcement below, the government has decided to proceed with this acquisition using full and open competition procedures. The solicitation will be posted on or about June 17, 2008. Interested sources should check this website for future postings. Offers will be due 20 days after the date of posting of the full Request for Quotation.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Disaster Prevention and Response Branch , hereby announces its intent to award a contract to Simtars, located in Queensland, Australia, for the purchase of a Safegas Tube Bundle Gas Monitoring System.

NIOSH researchers seek to acquire a continuous monitoring system that can draw samples through tubes from deep within sealed areas of coal mines and elsewhere within the active parts of underground coal mines. In acquiring this system, NIOSH researchers will collect scientific information to prevent explosions within sealed areas of coal mines and will also demonstrate practical monitoring technology to the U.S. underground coal mining industry in support of the new MSHA final rule on sealing of abandoned areas of coal mines. So-called "tube-bundle systems" are the best and only technology available to collect and analyze the sealed area atmosphere.

Hardware specifications for automated tube-bundle system

1. The system must have at least 30 remote sample-draw points, and the system should readily expand to 60.
2. The sample-draw points may be up to 4.5 miles (7 km) away.
3. Each sample tube is polyethylene about 1/2 in OD (13 mm), 3/8 in ID (10 mm) or more.
4. Continuous draw on each sample tube is required.
5. Flow rate in each tube should range from 0.04 to 0.07 cubic feet per minute (1 to 2 liters per minute). Flow velocity should range from 0.5 to 2 feet per second (0.15 to 0.6 m per second).
6. End-of-line filter, water trap, flame arrester, flow control and 3 way solenoid valve for each sample line are required.
7. The system should have multiple main sample-draw pumps capable of evacuating all sample tubes continuously. Pumps should be sized commensurate with the sample-draw length (4.5 miles or 7 km) and will run on 110 VAC. NIOSH engineers estimate that pumps should be about 1 horsepower (746 watts) each.
8. The system will have a secondary pump capable of evacuating one (1) tube to deliver sample to analyzer. This pump may be smaller horsepower than the main pump and will run on 110 VAC.
9. The vendor will specify the sample tube size and length; however, NIOSH will provide tube.
10. The sample-draw system should have a blow back functionality on each line.

Gas analysis specifications

11. The required gas analysis sensors and instruments are methane, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The required ranges and measurement accuracies are:
• Methane - 0 to 100% by volume to within +/- 1% full scale
• Oxygen - 0 to 30% by volume to within +/- 1% full scale
• carbon dioxide - 0 to 30% by volume to within +/- 1% full scale
12. Filter, water trap, flame arrester, flow restrictor and flow meter to each gas analysis sensor or instrument are required.
13. Positive pressure bypass valve for manually-collected gas samples from each of the sample-draw tubes is required.
14. Vendor will specify calibration and span gases of appropriate composition; however, NIOSH will acquire the gases directly.

System control and data collection specifications

15. Programmable logic controller or computer to automatically control the cycle through all sample tubes, in any specified order and frequency will be provided. The desired system will sample each tube at least every 4 hours.
16. The system will analyze calibration and span gases every week of operation.
17. The system will monitor and record the vacuum on each sample tube with an appropriate degree of precision.
18. The system will monitor and record the barometric pressure at least every hour.
19. A data collector will record all gas analysis, calibration, sample-draw pressure and barometric pressure results from each sample tube each sampling cycle. The storage device will have sufficient capacity to hold gas analysis readings and time data from at least six months of continuous operation.

Data display and analysis software specifications

20. The data display and analysis software system will be based on a Windows interface.
21. The software system will display the mine plan where the system is installed and the sample point locations.
22. The software system will display current gas composition data for each point and give the history of that composition on command.
23. The software system will display composition data and trends on both a Coward triangle and an Ellicott diagram on command.
24. The software system will provide notification and sound appropriate alarms when critical composition thresholds are exceeded.
25. The software system will monitor key hardware in the tube-bundle system and record its functionality.
26. The software system will provide a full record of alarms and the operator action.
27. Access to the software system will be password protected to prevent unauthorized changes to any operational parameters.
28. The software system will function in a client/server configuration and enable many remote workstations to share and display the data.

System support specifications

29. The vendor will pre-assemble and package system into instrumentation panels or racks suitable for transport and installation at a mine location in a room, portable building or other weatherproof container. The system will be ready to have sample tubes and power hooked up in the field.
30. Vendor will supply complete electronic documentation of all system components.
31. Vendor will supply any special installation and repair tools for the system.
32. Required delivery time is within 3 months of order placement.
33. The system will meet all MSHA regulations (intrinsic safety requirements) for safe use in an underground coal mine.
34. The vendor will provide documentation that a similar system exists and is in operation in at least 2 underground coal mines in the world where they have operated successfully for at least one (1) year.
35. The vendor will provide at least 2 days of on-site training of NIOSH personnel on the operation and maintenance of the system.

Responsible sources that believe they possess the expertise and capabilities identified above are encouraged to submit to the Contracting Officer within 15 days from the posting date of this notice, their written item description/item characteristics and pricing information in the format they choose, not to exceed 10 pages. Please forward the item description and pricing information to Florence Black at fpblack@cdc.gov or fax information to 412-386-6429. All vendors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) prior to an award of a federal contract. The website is: www.ccr.gov.

The Government will review any/all item descriptions and pricing information submitted and determine if other qualified sources do exist that could provide this requirement. Information received in response will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

This project is supported by a justification for other than full and open competition to Simtars, a business unit of the Department of Mines and Energy in Queensland, Australia, under authority of 41 U.S.C.253(c)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements . Fifteen days after the posting of this notice, negotiations will be conducted, in accordance with FAR parts 12 and 15, with Simtars as the only source and a contract will be awarded without additional notices being posted.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The response due date for this requirement has been extended to July 23, 2008.