02_Brand Name Justification.pdf

Brand Name Determination Tactical Radio

1. Contracting Activity: The ERDC Contracting Office (ECO) is located at the U.S.

Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199.

2. Description of Action: This determination seeks approval to award a new Firm

Fixed Price (FFP) contract on a brand name basis pursuant to procedures at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) to procure Wireless radio system and accessories. Please see the Description of Requirements (DOR) Document for specific details.

3. Description of the product required to meet the agency’s needs: The Engineer

Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), Structural Engineering Branch (StEB) has a requirement for wireless communications to be used with the SIAM (Seismic-Infrasound-Acoustic- Meteorological) Array. The current means for wireless communication requires a monthly subscription, has limited line-of-sight with cell towers, and are dependent on a specific wireless provider to be in any area of interest. Our intent is to find new options that are subscription free and be adaptive to any given operating environment.

4. Authority Cited: FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a single source (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

Background: The new wireless radios must be auto-band switching, self-locating/identifying, and have auto-negotiating connection capabilities. The new radios must be low power, ruggedized, and lightweight in order to meet the needs and requirements of the SIAM Array. In addition, the wireless radios must have a secure mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) system. The new wireless communication option we have identified for the SIAM Array data telemetry is a MPU5 Wave Relay Tactical Radio smart network. The SIAM arrays are utilized by the ERDC’s infrasound/persistent sensing programs including the Persistent Geophysical Sensing- Infrasound project, a direct project under Military Engineering and associated reimbursable efforts.

Justification: The Government currently uses the MPU5 Wave Relay Tactical Radios. Ensuring compatibility with these communications systems will provide the team secure communications for the SIAM Array while also being compatible with other Army assets. For this reason, we believe that purchasing this specific brand name of radio is the best technical solution. This purchase includes 7 radios, 4 receivers, and all of the necessary accessories (cables/connectors/etc.). Therefore, it is in the best interest of the government to procure the MPU5 Wave Relay radios brand.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Several vendors sell this equipment; therefore adequate competition is anticipated.

7. Determination that costs will be fair and reasonable: The independent government estimate, catalog prices, price competition, and the laboratory’s technical representative’s knowledge of the industry will be used to determine if the quoted price is fair and reasonable.

8. Description of Market Research: Market research has shown that there is more than one vendor capable of providing the MPU5 Wave Relay radios. F The MPU5 Wave Relay radios are commonly used within the Army for different data telemetry needs without the need for fixed infrastructure.

9. Contracting Officer Determination: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Allison Hudson Contracting Officer