CNC Lathe for the NDBC
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through its Acquisition and Grants Office, intends to award a sole source purchase order to Philips Federal for a Haas ST-20 CNC Lathe machine. This equipment is required by the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) in Stennis Space Center, MS, to manufacture critical components for all NDBC programs. This is a pre-solicitation notice, and firms believing they can meet the government's requirements must submit documentation by June 13, 2026.
Scope of Requirement
The NDBC requires a Haas ST-20 CNC Lathe to produce components essential for its programs. The machine must integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure and workforce capabilities.
Sole Source Justification
NOAA's decision to pursue a sole source award with Philips Federal is based on several critical factors:
- Software & Control Continuity: All current NDBC CNC machines are Haas, utilizing the Next-Generation Control (NGC) system. A different brand would necessitate separate proprietary software and post-processors.
- Tooling Compatibility: NDBC possesses a significant inventory of Haas-compatible tooling, including BMT65 tool holders and a Wireless Intuitive Probing System (WIPS) designed for Haas software. Non-Haas alternatives would require new proprietary tooling.
- Training & Workforce Optimization: NDBC machinists are exclusively trained on Haas systems. Introducing a new control language would lead to substantial productivity loss and operational risks.
- Support Infrastructure: Philips Federal is the exclusive distributor for Haas CNC tools to U.S. Government facilities, providing a single, certified point of contact for service and maintenance. The Haas ST-20 is deemed the only machine meeting these needs, as alternatives would incur excessive, unrecoverable costs for retraining and hardware.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Pre-solicitation (Sole Source)
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source Justification)
- Product/Service Code: 3416 (Lathes)
- Response Due: June 13, 2026, by 21:00 ET
- Published: May 27, 2026
Action Items
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation or a request for additional information in writing to tyran.claypool@noaa.gov. Responses will be evaluated to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible. Oral communications are not accepted.