037658 MFR for Closed-Circuit Wind Tunnel V.2 28July2026 (KO Signed)_Redacted.pdf

This is a Memorandum for Record documenting justification and approval for a sole-source procurement of a closed-circuit wind tunnel from the U.S. Army TMDE Activity (USATA).

The Army requires procurement of one new 24-inch closed-circuit wind tunnel to be delivered to the Army Primary Standards Laboratory (APSL) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. NAICS Code 541715 applies. The wind tunnel will be used by USATA Engineers and Technicians in conjunction with a Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) system for air velocity measurement, enabling measurement of significantly lower air speeds than currently achievable with reduced lab measurement uncertainty. The specified equipment features a closed-circuit design with 3/8-inch Swagelok bulkhead fitting upstream of the test section; maximum operating speed of approximately 50 meters per second (~9,900 feet per minute); test section dimensions of 60.96 centimeters by 60.96 centimeters (~24 inches by 24 inches); grooved test section walls with specialized nozzle restriction plates enabling air speed adjustment from 0.15 to 50 meters per second; turbulence intensity less than 1 percent; at least two sealable ports/fittings accommodating instrument diameters ranging from 4.3 mm to 15.9 mm; optical-quality glass test section sidewalls compatible with a 532-nanometer argon-ion laser (500 milliwatts output); centrifugal fan design with variable-frequency drive controlled by National Instruments LabVIEW software; and total footprint not exceeding 32 feet length, 8 feet width, and 7.5 feet height. Contractor must submit design documentation demonstrating air speed and turbulence requirements through computational fluid dynamics simulations or equivalent analysis.

The procurement is justified under Title 41 U.S.C. §1901 (Simplified Acquisition Threshold authority) based on patent-protected flow-conditioning components and proprietary fan/motor architectures exclusively owned by a single vendor. Market research conducted June 29 to July 15, 2026, including engagement with knowledgeable industry personnel, SAM.gov Sources Sought posting (PANRSA-26-P-0000-037658), Small Business Dynamic Search website queries, and market surveys yielded zero vendors capable of meeting the specified requirements. Contracting Officer Lisa S. Armes signed the memorandum on July 24, 2026.