REDACTED_RDX_JA_MET_Justification_and_Approval_Redacted.pdf

J&A under FAR Subpart 6.3 - Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. Department of Health and

Human Services/Program Support Center/Acquisition Management Services

b. Requiring activity. U.S. ARMY, Meteorology Division, Dugway Proving Ground UT

c. Requiring Activity Point of Contact (POC) information.

Name.

Mailing address.

DUGWAY PROVING GROUND

Accountable Property Officer

POC:

BLDG 5464 Stark Road Dugway UT 84022

E-mail address.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives: The purpose and objectives of this project are to maintain, upgrade, or return to service critical meteorological sensing systems, including two radiometers, five radar wind profiles, and a Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave radar. The DPG Meteorology Division requires detailed information about the atmospheric boundary layer (the lowest 1-2 km of the atmosphere) to meet mission support requirements involving the prediction of the atmospheric dispersion of gases and aerosols used in Chemical and Biological Defense Program testing. The radiometers provide information about the thermodynamic characteristics (temperature and humidity) in and above the boundary layer, and the radar wind profilers provide information about the dynamic characteristics (wind speed and direction) in and above the boundary layer. Together, the network of radiometers and radar wind profilers provide a detailed depiction of the atmospheric parameters in the boundary layer. The Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) boundary layer radar provides additional information about the depth and structure of the boundary layer.

1. Microwave Radiometers. We have two radiometers. Both require repairs to return to operational condition, and both will require annual maintenance (partial base year plus four option years). Specific repairs required are shown on the IGCE. Repair of 2 each Radiometers MP- 3122A and MP-3123A,

2. 449 MHz Radar Wind Profilers. We have one 449 MHz Radar Wind Profiler, which is operational but with damaged components that require repairs, and computers which require immediate update to new version of Red Hat Linux. The 440 MHz Radar Wind Profiler will require annual maintenance (partial base year plus four full option years). Specific repairs required are shown on the IGCE. Maintenance and Repair Base Year and 4 Option Years for 2 each Radiometers MP-3122A and MP-3123A.

3. 924 MHz Radar Wind Profilers. We have four 924 Radar Wind Profilers. These systems do not require repairs although new external cables are required. The 924 Radar Wind Profilers will require annual maintenance (partial base year plus four full option years).

4. Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Boundary Layer Radar. We have one Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar which is not operational and requires unknown repairs and an immediate upgrade of its computer from Windows XP to Windows 10.

The first CLIN for this radar is for an evaluation of the full extent of repairs required. The second CLIN for this radar is for repairs to upgrade the Windows XP computer system to Windows 10 and to perform all needed repairs to return the system to operational condition. The third CLIN for the FMCW is for annual maintenance. The cost of the annual maintenance will not be known until the repair estimate is completed. The fourth CLIN for this radar is an unfunded effort to evaluate the potential to alter the mechanical and/or electronic components to allow the radar to operate in a different frequency, to avoid conflicts with a planned new national radar network which is expected to operate in the same frequency band and the Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW). Funding for this frequency change may be provided by the national radar network program. If the national program does not provide funding, this CLIN will not be executed.

Maintenance and Repair for 2 each Radiometers MP-3122A and

MP-3123A.

Repair of 1 each 449 MHz Radar Wind Profiler (RWP)

Maintenance for 1 each 449 MHz Radar Wind Profiler (RWP) Base Year and 4 Option Years

Maintenance for 4 each 924 MHz Radar Wind Profiler Base Year and 4 Option Years

Evaluation of Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Boundary Layer Radar

Repair of Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Radar Base Year and One Option Year – Not To Exceed $400,000.00, Maintenance Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Radar 3 Option Years following completion of repairs.

Alter Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Radar to operate in a different frequency.

b. Project background. These tasks are required to maintain, upgrade, or return to service critical meteorological sensing systems. The Dugway Proving Ground Meteorology Division required detailed information about the atmospheric boundary layer (the lowest 1-2 km of the atmosphere) to meet mission support requirements involving the prediction of the atmospheric dispersion of gases and aerosols used in Chemical and Biological Defense Program Testing. The radiometers provide information about the thermodynamic characteristics (temperature and humidity) in and above the boundary layer, and the radar wind profilers provide information about the dynamic characteristics (wind speed and direction) in and above the boundary layer. Together, the network of radiometers and radar wind profilers provide a detailed depiction of the atmospheric parameters in the boundary layer. The Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) boundary layer radar provides additional information about the depth and structure of the boundary layer and above.

History of the project: The radiometers were purchased from Radiometrics and installed several years ago and provided highly valuable data before they failed.

FBS-ST, 449 MHz (QTY 1) Instrument History The FBS-ST 449 MHz radar wind profiler was installed by Radiometrics and has been operating for many years, but needs an update to its operating system to remain compliant with Army Software standards.

DPG issued contract W911S6-07-P-0336 in July 2011 to purchase a RAPTOR Full Beam Steering – Stratosphere/Troposphere (FBS-ST) radar wind profiler. That radar was successfully installed, and all warranty claims were resolved during the warranty period. DPG issued a 1 year service and maintenance contract W911S6-12-P-0186 in September 2012, and chose to fund a second year in September 2013. The maintenance contract expired in September 2014 and no other maintenance contract has been issued.

In September 2013, DPG issued W911S6-13-P-0156 to increase the peak power level of the FBS-ST to 8 kW. Installation was completed in November 2014. One minor warranty issue was identified and resolved during the 1 year warranty period which ended in November 2015. RDX (then DeTect, Inc.) serviced the radar while on site in November 2014, but it has not been serviced since by RDX.

In late 2015 or early 2016, one of the four 2 kW Power Amplifier Assemblies stopped working properly. RDX personnel performed a cursory check of the system while at DPG in July 2016, but they were unable to diagnose the problem. The radar is still collecting data because this type of ‘soft failure’ was accounted for during design. It was not performing at full capability, however, so RDX issued WRMA-0013 and the amplifier was returned to RDX. Testing revealed the amplifier was working properly, and the power amplifier was returned. RDX then remotely supported Dugway personnel to identify the 4:1 RF Divider/Combiner as the cause of the failure. The 4:1 was removed and replaced with a spare. While the radar has performed nominally since that time, the original 4:1 has not been repaired and no other major maintenance work has been performed. Finally, the radar’s Wind Profiler Computers (WPCs) are running Linux Red Hat version 5.8 and need to be upgraded to US Army-approved versions.

DBS-BL, 924 MHz (QTY 4) Instrument Histories:

The DBS-BL 924 MHz profilers were repaired and upgraded by Radiometrics two years ago and provide high-resolution information in the boundary layer. The Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar was transferred to Dugway Proving Ground from White Sands Missile Range about 15 years ago, and provided very detailed information about the boundary layer before it failed.

DPG issued contract W911S6-13-C-0006 in September 2013 to assess and modernize/upgrade QTY 4 LAP-3000® radar wind profilers. These radars, not typically supported by the original manufacturer, are referred to as RAPTOR Doppler Beam Steering – Boundary Layer (DBS-BL) systems after they are modernized and upgraded. The radars were shipped to DPG in December 2014 and January 2015. The radars were installed in July 2016 after DPG was able to perform necessary civil construction. All warranty claims were address, the systems went out of warranty on 31 July 2017 and no major maintenance work has been performed. Historical Maintenance Offers: Under warranty through 31 July 2017.

MP-3000A Radiometers (QTY 2) Instrument Histories

Radiometries delivered two MP-3000A microwave profiling radiometer systems, Serial Numbers 3122A and 3213A, to DGP in October 2012.

These systems were covered by warranty through October 2015. MP- 3123A was returned for warranty repair in June 2013, at which time the K-band down-converter was replaced. Both systems are MCM-A configuration. In February 2014 both systems were upgraded to Win7 compatible software under warranty {Win7 Control Computers were provided by DGP}.In November 2016, DPG informed RDX that neither radiometer was running, and both radiometers were shipped back to RDX via RMA-1516 and 1564 respectively. The failures have been identified, but DPG has not issued a repair order to date. Both radiometers have been in storage at RDX since.

Radiometrics personnel are required to perform this work because, while working for another company that was acquired by Radiometrics, they designed the unique hardware and data processing software used in these systems, and are, uniquely capable of conducting upgrades and repairs.

As stated above Radiometric is the OEM of the following stated systems and the only one authorized and technical able to provide the services required.

The installation, repair and upgrade of the four 924 MHz profilers was accomplished under contract W911S6-13-C-0006, dated, 9 Jul 13, with a total value of $853,773.86.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Project Title. Evaluation, Repair and Maintenance of Meteorological Sensors

a. Project description. The purpose of the project is to ensure continuing service from four separate types of meteorological sensors (eight separate sensors in total) critical to the operation of the Dugway Proving Ground Meteorology Division. All were built by Radiometrics personnel and have been installed, upgraded, and repaired exclusively by Radiometrics personnel in the past.

1. Microwave Radiometers. We have two radiometers. Both require repairs to return to operational condition, and both will have required annual maintenance (partial base year plus four option years). Specific repairs required are shown on the IGCE.

2. 449 MHz Radar Wind Profilers. We have one 449 MHz Radar Wind Profiler, which is operational but with damaged components that require repairs, and computers which require immediate update to new version of Red Hat Linux. The 449 MHz Radar Wind Profiler will require annual maintenance (partial base year plus four full option years). Specific repairs required are shown on the IGCE.

3. 924 MHz Radar Wind Profilers. We have four 924 Radar Wind Profilers. These systems do not require repairs although new external cables are required. The 924 Radar Wind Profilers will require annual maintenance (partial base year plus four full option years).

4. Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Boundary Layer Radar. We have one Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar which is not operational and requires unknown repairs and an immediate upgrade of its computer from Windows XP to Windows 10.

The first CLIN for this radar is for an evaluation of the full extent of repairs required. The second CLIN for this radar is for repairs to upgrade the Windows XP computer system to Windows 10 and to perform all needed repairs to return the system to operational condition. The third CLIN for the FMCW is for annual maintenance. The cost of the annual maintenance will not be known until the repair estimate is completed. The fourth CLIN for this radar is an unfunded effort to evaluate the potential to alter the mechanical and/or electronic components to allow the radar to operate in a different frequency, to avoid conflicts with a planned new national radar network which is expected to operate in the same frequency band and the Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW). Funding for this frequency change will be provided by the national radar network program.

Requirement type.

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services Support services (non-R&D) Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build

Other (specify): ____________________

Proposed contract/order type.

Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee): __________ Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee): ___________

Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________

Completion Form Term form

Acquisition identification number. MIPR # 11139581

b. Total estimated dollar value : $975.000.00

c. Performance/delivery period: Base plus four years.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR):

6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This acquisition is conducted under the authority of United States Code (U.S.C.) 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

Radiometrics 4909 Nautilus Court North Suite 110 Boulder CO 80301 Phone: (303) 449-9192 Fax: (303) 786-9343

b. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

c. Radiometrics is the only company can provide the required services because these are unique systems which were all designed and built by their personnel. Radiometrics is the Original Equipment Manfacturer for the following systems and have the expertise to maintain the following systems. Radiometrics designed the Microwave Profiler (MP) product line and Raptor Branded Rador wind profiler product line that Dugway required services completed on . The equipment and their systems are proprietary. Radiometrics is the only authorized contractor that is allowed to work on the equipment. The contractor does not have any distributors.

The technology that Radiometrics is unique to them and plan not to share

it. The main technician is specialized in these systems and is the only one identified in the country with these specialized skills. After market research completed after going to various technology conferences, Dugway’s systems are unique to Dugway Proving Ground and what type of data needed to all the test results.

The MP-3000A radiometers, RAPTOR 924 MHz radar wind profiler and RAPTOR 449 MHz radar wind profiler are all RDX-designed and built products. RDX supports for each of these items, including troubleshooting, evaluation, on-site maintenance, upgrades and in-factory repairs Radiometers and radar wind profilers are complex systems composed of embedded software, application software, specialized RF hardware and other customized parts. Both of DPG’s MP-3000A radiometers and all five of the RAPTOR radar wind profilers (QTY 1, 449 MHz FBS-ST and QTY 4, 924 MHz DBS-BLs) contain hardware and software designed by RDX and for which the designs are proprietary and exclusive to RDX.

d. In particular the Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) must be maintained by Radiometrics because one of its lead engineers is the only person familiar with the electronic and mechanical components and how they interact. This person who designed and built the Frequency- Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) decades ago at White Sands Missile Range, and has continued through the years to provide support while he changed from government to several commercial companies.

Radiometrics acquired the Meteorology department of Detect Inc in 2016 and now the technician works for Radiometric. After market research completed in 2016, 2017 on the following requirement the sources sought completed in 2016 was the same results in March 2018. The only source was Radiometrics that responded.

Radiometrics personnel designed and built the profilers and the radiometers and have retained expert understanding of all the systems. The computer operating systems for the profilers are bespoke programs designed by Radiometrics software engineers, and they have worked through the issues to upgrade the systems over the years to maintain operational capability using new Linux systems. The only equipment that is known to need replacement is a cable set for one of the 924 MHz profilers, costing $2,710.76. The evaluation of the Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) may identify other equipment needing replacement; however, that is uncertain at this point.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under

5.202 applies. Sources sought was completed March 19, 2018 and no responses were received.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The contracting officer will request the contractor to provide proof of pricing to determine fair and reasonable.

FAR 15.402(a)(ii)(A) Data related to prices (e.g., established catalog or market prices, sales to non-governmental and governmental entities), relying first on data available within the Government; second, on data obtained from sources other than the offeror; and, if necessary, on data obtained from the offeror. When obtaining data from the offeror is necessary, unless an exception under 15.403- 1(b)(1) or (2) applies, such data submitted by the offeror shall include, at a minimum, appropriate data on the prices at which the same or similar items have been sold previously, adequate for evaluating the reasonableness of the price

8. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

During the January 2017 American Meteorological Society annual meeting, Meteorology Division personnel had the opportunity to talk to all potential support providers. None had familiarity with the design or components of the Radiometrics radiometers, profilers, or Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW). These systems are very different from typical weather surveillance radars, such as our X Band and C Band radars, the weather radars viewed on television weather reports, etc. Weather surveillance radars are very widespread, with many companies familiar with the technology, and there will be no reason to pursue a sole source support arrangement for our X and C Band radars. In 2016 Dugway Proving Ground Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC) issued a sources sought announcement for upgrades to the Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar. We received responses from four companies, including Radiometrics. Review of the responses showed that none of the other three companies had any familiarity with the unique design and function of the Dugway Proving Ground Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar. As stated in Section 6, Second sources sought was completed.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

(a) Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available;

Engineering specifications and technical design drawings are proprietary information belonging to Radiometric.

N/A. No follow-on acquisition is required.

N/A. This justification is not based on unusual or compelling urgency.

10. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. No sources were found except for Radiometric.

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the required supplies or services. The Meteorology Dept. will evaluate the requirement for future support when we approach the final option year.

12. Program office certification. This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements and other rationale for other than full and open competition, are accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Requiring Activity

POC

13. Contracting Officer certification.

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Contracting Officer

Patricia Natividad 06/19/2018

'00'

14. Competition Advocate and Head of the Procuring Activity approval.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Competition Advocate and

Head of the Procuring Activity

Patrick Joy, Head of the Procurement Activity

7-2-18 ck