Brand_Name_Justification_Redacted.pdf

V220T.12 (01/15)

Procurement Request No. V3341307

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

VOLPE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER (VOLPE CENTER)

SYSTEMS SAFETY AND ENGINEERING DIVISION

SOLE SOURCE OR BRAND NAME SAP JUSTIFICATION

A. Description of Supplies/Services.

DJI Matrice 200 unmanned aerial vehicle with accessories to include DJI Zenmuse FLIR camera, DJI Zenmuse X4S daylight camera, spare TB55 batteries, GPC M200 case, and PIX4D Mapper Pro Software.

B. Market Research. The Volpe Center is working with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Brunswick, Maine Police Department on a project to use advanced technologies to address the problem of trespassing on railroad rights of way. As part of this effort, the Volpe Center is procuring an unmanned aerial vehicle (a.k.a. drone) to provide a mobile camera platform to assist in the detection and surveillance of trespassers on railroad property.

The Maine State Police have standardized on the DJI Matrice 200. This selection was achieved through their own acquisition, where the Matrice 200 was deemed to be a best value in addressing their requirements, which included a built-in obstacle avoidance system, extreme temperature operating range and can operate in high winds, rain and snow. This acquisition shares these requirements. This information was obtained by William Baron of the Volpe Center while conducting a requirements review with Commander Thomas Garrepy of the Brunswick Police Department on December 22, 2017.

C. Supporting Rationale.

(1) Sole Source: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

N/A

(2) Brand Name: A specific brand that is available from multiple vendors. It is important that this drone be a Matrice 200 because the Maine State Police have shown with certainty that the Matrice 200 performs the required functions of detection and surveillance, and meets other requirements including object detection and all-weather flight capability. By using the same hardware and software platform, BPD will be able to leverage Maine State Police funding and equipment for future training as new pilots are needed and as new features are adapted. Also, in the event of an equipment failure or a large scale event, the Maine State Police drone equipment could be loaned to BPD, and there would be no need for pilot re-training on a new platform and system. For these reasons, it is likely that as other police departments in the region begin to acquire drones, they will also standardize on the Matrice 200, creating a network of interoperable spare equipment and trained operators. The two cameras (Zenmuse FLIR and Zenmuse X4S) are manufactured by DJI and are designed to fit the Matrice 200’s gimbal and integrate seamlessly with its wireless control system. The batteries and case are designed specifically to fit the Matrice 200. The PIX4D software is currently the industry standard for using drone footage to help police departments create accident reconstruction maps. It is also used by the Maine State Police, which will provide a source of experienced support that BPD can use as its users learn how to best utilize it.

(3) Unusual and Compelling Urgency. N/A

V220T.12 (01/15)