NOAA: Ionomer Buoy Hulls

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This specification outlines the requirements for the fabrication of ionomer foam buoy hulls, which will serve as equipment platforms for collecting meteorological and oceanographic data for the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Weather Buoy Program.

• Fabrication of ionomer foam buoy hulls.

• Contractor shall provide all necessary labor, material, equipment, facilities, and services.

• Hulls to be fabricated from ionomer resin 9720 or 9721, or ionomer resin 7020 or 7030.

• Foam must have an expanded structure of individual non-connecting, closed cells, with an allowance for peripheral cells to be open due to fabrication.

• Repelletized virgin ionomer foam (not exceeding 25%) may be used if it meets performance requirements.

• Extruded foam sheets must have a density between 4.4 and 4.6 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) and a thickness between 1/8" and 3/8".

• Sheets to be spirally wrapped and heat-sealed.

• Completed foam sections must be free from cracks, holes, gouges, and embedded foreign material.

• A protective outer skin, denser than the inner foam, is required, with a minimum density of 30 pcf and a thickness between 1/4" and 5/16".

• The color of the foam must conform to FED-STD-595, yellow 13655, and maintain colorfastness for at least 8 years.

• Density: 4.0 +/- 0.5 pcf

• Tensile Strength: Vertical - 150.0 psi min, Horizontal - 75.0 psi min, Radial - 90.0 psi min

• Tear Strength: Vertical - 35.0 psi min, Horizontal - 20.0 psi min, Radial - 45.0 psi min

• Compression Set: 25.0% max

• Compression Load Deflection: Radial to 75% - 7.5 psi min

• Hardness: 60 +/- 5 (Shore A)

• Abrasion Resistance: 100 min

• Water Absorption: 15.0% max

• Ultraviolet stabilization for a minimum of 8 years.

• Impact Resistance: Must withstand specified test without damage.

• Colorfastness: Must remain within specified chromaticity regions after testing.

• Not explicitly stated, but deliverables are shipped to National Data Buoy Center, Stennis Space Center, MS.

• Fabrication must be in accordance with specified drawings.

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hardware is required.

• Ultraviolet stabilizers must be added to the ionomer resin.

• Material certifications from the manufacturer or certified independent testing laboratories are required.

• Contractor shall establish a quality assurance program conforming to ASQ Q9002 requirements.

• First articles must be provided for inspection, including material certifications and foam samples for testing.

• Contractor shall perform inspections and tests to ensure conformance.

• NDBC will periodically verify quality through inspections and potential foam sample testing.

• All deliverables shall be shipped to the National Data Buoy Center, Attn: Property Officer, Building 3203, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the procurement of 2.54-meter Ionomer Foam Hulls. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price requirement to the responsive responsible quoter(s) providing the best value, considering both price and non-price factors. This requirement is 100% set aside for small business concerns.

• Procurement of 2.54-meter Ionomer Foam Hulls.

• The government reserves the right to waive the First Article requirement if the awarded contractor has successfully completed an NDBC buoy hull project in the past.

• Offerors must provide specifications and drawings.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed price.

• Award basis: Lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding acceptability standards for non-cost factors.

• Quotes must be submitted by electronic means to nikki.smith@noaa.gov.

• All questions must be received no later than five (5) days after the issuance date of the solicitation.

• Evaluation factors include: Specifications, Past Performance, and Price.

• Past performance references: Provide a list of at least two but no more than three contacts.

• The government reserves the right to make an award without discussions based solely on initial quotes.

• This requirement is 100% set aside for small business concerns.

• Offerors must have an active registration in the SAM database.

• NAICS Code: 326199, All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing.

• Page 1 (complete blocks 17a, 30a, 30b and 30c)

• Page 3 (quote/prices, including shipping and handling fees)

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

• Statement on SAM registration and active status

• Statement on Organizational Conflict of Interest (CAR Clause 1352.209-74(c))

• Response to evaluation factors, including at least two (2) Past Performance references

• Email address and telephone number

• Identification of where the supply is being manufactured

• Verification of Small Business entity status under NAICS Code 326199

• Approximate Lead time of Delivery