23-SIMACQ-N00-0002_JA_Redacted_230725_Redacted.pdf

Brand Name/Sole Source Justification under $250K

PID Number: 23-SIMACQ-PHD-N00-0002

Department: PD416

Company Name/Brand: Warren Industries, Inc.

This procurement is for a multi-sensor shipboard leveling system manufactured by Warren Industries, Inc.

that includes multiple, interchangeable, high-resolution inclination measuring sensors with two degrees or more of measuring range; power/data cables and reels; and digital, continuous output with data filtration system single and differential channels for sensor readings.

Identification of Justification Rational:

The Material or service must be compatible will aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed.

A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

Urgency.

Identification of the Justification Rationale Explained: **If using form, fit, and function, describe the current equipment and how the new item/service must coordinate or interface.

**If using patent, copyright, proprietary data, describe the proprietary data. **If using direct replacement, describe this below.

The Warren Knight Leveling System is a proprietary set of equipment developed by Warren Knight, a division of Warren Industries, for measuring differences in angle between surfaces. It consists of electronic inclinometer sensors and their power distribution units housed in rectangular, hermetically sealed, steel casings. The system also includes cable reels for running power and data between units, jumper cables and connector boxes for interfacing with our laptops, and mounting brackets for the sensors to interface with our current inventory of theodolites.

The material must be compatible will aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed. We currently use the Analog Inclination Data System (AIDS), a shipboard leveling system designed by Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) in the 1970s, for combat system alignment (CSA) work. The system uses mostly commercial off the shelf (COTS) parts in a highly specialized configuration. However, we have had issues with slow and bad data causing long data validation and slowing down the data acquisition process. Therefore, we require a new and modern multi-sensor shipboard leveling system with very similar configuration and design to the AIDS to incorporate smoothly with all our standard operation procedures (SOP) and other equipment including theodolites, total stations, laser trackers, and alignment fixtures that NSWC PHD and the various waterfront activities and regional maintenance centers (RMCs) globally utilize. Using a new and modern multi-sensor shipboard leveling system with a different configuration and design than the AIDS would require modification to many documents and re-fabrication of many tools we currently use.

NSWC PHD has invested several years into researching, testing, and evaluating various candidates that could provide a multi-sensor shipboard leveling system that meets our requirements including General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) and Electronic Measurement Systems (EMS) LTD. After the extensive research, testing, and evaluation, Warren-Knight Instrument Company is the only candidate with a multi-sensor shipboard leveling system that meets our requirements.

Specific Characteristics of the Item or Service required that Limit the Availability to a Sole Source or Brand Name: **This is the most important section. Explain in detail why this company or brand are the only ones that can meet the requirement.

No other third party vendor is authorized by Warren Knight, a division of Warren Industries, Inc.

to sell the items of interest to PD416 for the purposes related to CSA regarding leveling systems.

There is no substitute for these systems as the engineering has already provided the solution onboard ships for different prototypes of the items during the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) during CSAs.

Based on extensive research, testing, and evaluation, Warren-Knight Instrument Company is the only source that can meet requirements. The specific requirements for this system is to have multiple digital inclination sensors with two degrees of greater range with high accuracy, precision, and data resolution. All inclination sensors are interchangeable with a robust power and data delivery system with ingress protection. Data is delivered to single data output source for simultaneous differential readings using software that is pre-approved in DADMS, WylerDynam. The sensors and system can be calibrated quickly by users in the field or more in-depth by manufacturer or Navy calibration labs using simple procedure. System allows for multiple means of data acquisition with the addition of a handheld digital meter. Most importantly, the system is available and still being manufactured by an American company with an established history of delivering durable, precision equipment to the Navy. Moreover, we have done hands-on testing with many of the components of the system and can confirm it meets our operational requirements. Finally, these are highly specialized systems and finding another company to manufacturer a similar product introduces huge risks to schedule and function. No system, other than Warren- -sensor shipboard leveling system, can meet our requirements while maintaining a similar configuration and design to AIDS. Therefore, use of another company to manufacture the required system will require modification to many documents and re-fabrication of the tools we currently use. Warren-Knight Instrument Company said they do not sell equipment through third party vendors.

Market Research Conducted:

Market research included having NSWC PHD Air Dominance personnel attempt to manufacture a modern system that met all our requirements. This was funded as a NISE project, but due to lack of technical expertise of software engineers at NSWC PHD, the project was ultimately unsuccessful.

More market research was conducted with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT).

GDIT demonstrated their Advance Navy Alignment System to us. After some testing, the system