Upgrade to Compact Range Test Equipment
FAR Subpart 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items - Sole Source Justification and Approval 1. Contracting Activity: Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Huachuca Division, 2133 Cushing Street, Building 61801, Room 3212, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, 85613-7070. 2. Description of Action: Approval is requested for a new contract. Type of contract to be requested: FFP (Firm Fixed Price) Type of funds: RDT & E 3. Description of Supplies/Services: Research and analysis is required to investigate upgrading the Antenna Test Facility (ATF) Compact Range to reduce safety risks and decrease mounting/dismounting complexity and timeframe. The research will determine the best upgrade path to bring the almost 30 year old range up to current technology and techniques to provide a safer environment for mounting and dismounting of test articles. While reducing the safety risks, the upgrade will reduce the timeline for mounting and dismounting and therefore will decrease overall test costs. The upgrade path will have associated tradeoffs and limitations based on cost of implementation the new technology. 4. Authority Cited: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii) - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. 5. Reason for Authority Cited: Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is uniquely qualified and responsible source on the grounds the research and analysis must be built upon previous work done at the ATF's Compact Range. GTRI's key role in its initial design and construction demonstrates their knowledge and capabilities to undertake the project. The research for the upgrade is inherently a follow-on project that directly references and builds upon data and studies performed on the Compact Range by GTRI. The learning curve to bring on a new contractor would result in significant financial risk while not providing the same level of engineering expertise as GTRI whom will be building upon their own knowledge and efforts on a system they helped design and construct. Additional sources have been considered but either don't meet the unique capabilities, experience or only design and construct Indoor Compact Ranges. The other companies do not possess a full range of experience with an Outdoor Compact Range to provide the services needed for this effort. With the complexities of an Outdoor Compact Antenna Test Range along with integrating into existing unmovable structures a detailed knowledge and experience is required to achieve an optimal viable upgrade path. GTRI has this type of experience and knowledge with its past and current relationship with the ATF's Compact Range. 6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Avenues to seek qualified companies were sought tough internet research (Google), discussion with other antenna range personnel, and antenna testing community events such as the Antenna Measurements and Technique Association. This type of community environment brings together personnel from many indoor and outdoor antenna range companies to collaborate and offer technical concepts which broaden the available sources as well as afford viable company's representatives to discuss their capabilities and experience with organizations requiring this type of expertise. A Notice of Intent required by FAR 5.201 was published to the Federal Opportunities (FedBizOpps) on 25 April 2019. To date, no responses or comments received. 7. Actions to Increase Competition: As stated in paragraph 6 above, a special notice synopsis for a sole source contract was posted to the Federal Opportunities (FedBizOpps) on 25 April 2019, and made available for public inspection and comment. The closing date is 29 April 2019. To date, no companies have expressed an interest in performing, or have provided comments for this effort. Consulted with ACCAPG to seek additional companies tough their available solicitation avenues. 8. Market Research: Research for alternate companies to provide this service resulted in NSI/MI, with only Indoor Compact Range or minimal Outdoor Antenna Range experience or proficiency. The complexities are significantly increased with the ATF's Outdoor Compact Range over these types of ranges. There is a complicated relationship between ATF's Compact Range reflector size and precise alignment, target placement, outdoor Radio Frequency (RF) factors, RF interference and unwanted reflections along with mitigation strategies, and environmental constraints not seen with Indoor Ranges. With all these considerations, the researched companies do not possess the experience to provide a viable upgrade path for the ATF's Outdoor Compact Range. GTRI has the insight, knowledge and experience concerning an Outdoor Compact Range with all these factors included. GTRI also has an increased knowledge and understanding of the project as it will be integrating into the existing structure and system designed and built by GTRI. Researched SAM.Gov for viable sources within the Compact Range with the sources already mentioned above. 9. Other Facts: Without a full range of experience concerning an Outdoor Compact Range, a company would have to perform and rely on research and analysis to establish a starting point for this effort. This would take a significant amount of time (extending the timeline by at least 1 year) and money to re- create previous studies and analyses. This would significantly delay the project and increase overall costs along with hindering the Antenna Test Facility's capability to meet customer test timelines and needs. In addition, with only analysis to rely on, the risk of a successful upgrade will be greatly decreased. GTRI has the full range of experience and skilled capabilities necessary to accomplish a project of this magnitude. In addition leverage of remaining a developmental requirement would be reduced. 10. Interested Sources: The notice required by FAR 5.201 was published on 25 April 2019 as described in paragraph 6 above. To date, no other sources have written to express an interest. A special notice making the public aware of this justification will be posted on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website within 14 days after contract award. 11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. 12. Fair and Reasonable Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. A price analysis was conducted. Given the amount of replacing the entire system to only purchasing the upgrades, it is in the Government's best interest to sole source this award. Cost and pricing data are not required IAW FAR 15.403.1 (a). 13. Contracting Officer Approval: This certification shall be made by the contracting officer who will sign the contract resulting from this justification and approval. Include the following statement: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. . W91RUS-19-R-0166 Department of the Army Materiel Command Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground
6/21/19, 10:37 AM