78129 - SSJ - Robotic Sander Installation Redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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CLIN Total: $

Estimated Overall Contract Total: $

This requirement will be funded with Consolidated Sustainment Activity Group (CSAG-M) funds Defense Working Capital Fund (4930).

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

DAFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

This is a new commercial, sole source, one-time, FFP requirement. The sanding booth and robotic sander were originally purchased via Option 1 of Capital Investment Program (CIP) contract FA857118P0073.

Initially, the Sander System was to be installed on the south wall of building 169. The new robotic system was meant to replace manual sanding for removing surface coatings, burns, ridges, and imperfections from areas on painted/primed metal and composite aircraft parts. The robotic system would significantly reduce the exposure of Sheet Metal Mechanics to hazardous, potential cancer-causing airborne particles. In addition, the update would increase productivity by 90% due to faster sanding speed and the ability of the robot to run 24/7. Since B169 already had a dust extraction system and air compressor/air tank system installed to support the robotic sanding system, those items were not included in the contract. The contractor incorporated a Fanuc M-710iC robotic arm and R-30iB plus controller into an apparatus custom designed to meet CMXG's needs. The robotic system was delivered and scheduled to be installed in 2022, but the scope of work changed and the system was put into storage.

This current requirement is to install the custom robotic sanding system purchased via FA857118P0073 on the north side of B673 to support sanding efforts currently being conducted in B670. The new system will support sanding of larger assets such as long flaps and permit the stand-up of sanding for C-5 nose plug assets. Due to B673 not having the dust extraction system and air compressor/air tank system required for the full assembly of the robotic system, these items will be purchased and incorporated by the contractor.

rpGatta is the original CIP contractor. They hold proprietary rights to all drawings, parts, and materials for the custom system. Since rpGatta designed and built the robotic system, they hold the knowledge and expertise required to properly incorporate the dust extraction system, air compressor/air tank system, and course correct any issues that arise. During the original CIP contract, rpGatta conducted a complete installation and demonstration of the entire robotic sanding booth in their own facility. Due to this, rpGatta personnel have the unique hands-on experience required for the successful installation of the custom robotic system.

Using a different company would require the entire system to be completely reverse engineered, new drawings created, and the purchase of all supporting parts and materials. This would delay the installation of the robotic sanding system by at least a year. The cost to the government for the reverse engineering, purchase of support equipment, and installation would be approximately $1.18M. Additionally, the government will have an estimated revenue loss for potential workload of $866K per year.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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Due to the aforementioned facts, it has been determined by the undersigned that only rpGatta can provide what the Government requires in a timely and cost-efficient fashion without suffering substantial costs to the government that will not be recovered by competition.

Previous Contracts:

FA8571-18-P-0073, competitive awarded to rpGatta, Inc., Estimated Total Contract Value: $6,563,563.00.

Period of Performance: 22 June 2018 - 29 March 2020. NAICS: 811219

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Market research was conducted from 21 October 2025 - 2 December 2025 in accordance with FAR Part 10.001 and 10.002. The market research techniques used are as follows:

Multiple Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) queries were conducted using NAICS 333248 - All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing - and 333998 - All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing with keywords "equipment", "machinery", and "materials" (see attached DSBS queries). The searches resulted in three (3) vendors.

None of these vendors are capable of meeting the requirement due to not being the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the robotic sanding system.

Searches of the Federal Prison Industries (FPI), AbilityOne Procurement List, and General Services Administration (GSA) Global Supply were conducted using keywords "robotic sander". All searches resulted in zero (0) findings.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The overall cost of this acquisition will be negotiated in accordance with procedures in FAR Part 12 and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2) and include a statement of price reasonableness confirming the ultimate price to the Government is fair and reasonable. Additional pricing methodologies to negotiate fair and reasonable price may include reviewing publicly offered catalogs, comparison to historical contractor sales, and/or analysis of limited cost or pricing information provided by the contractor. In the event that limited cost or pricing information is made available, the Government's negotiation objective will be developed using local technical analysis and direct and indirect rate factors recommended by the Defense Contract Management Agency.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted from 21 October 2025 - 2 December 2025 in accordance with FAR Part 10.001 and 10.002. The market research techniques used are as follows:

Multiple Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) queries were conducted using NAICS 333248 - All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing - and 333998 - All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing with keywords "equipment", "machinery", and "materials"(see attached DSBS queries). The searches resulted in three (3) vendors.

None of these vendors are capable of meeting the requirement due to not being the Original

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the robotic sanding system.

Searches of the Federal Prison Industries (FPI), AbilityOne Procurement List, and General Services Administration (GSA) Global Supply were conducted using keywords "robotic sander". All searches resulted in zero (0) findings.

The market research concluded that there is only one company capable of meeting the requirement for the robotic sander installation; the OEM, rpGatta, Inc.

Primary NAICS: 333998 - All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

See Section VI above.

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The Government is unable to compete this effort due to the technical capabilities and experience required to install the robotic sander and all support equipment to ensure proper operation. Due to the details of this requirement, any maintenance to the robotic sander and support equipment will need to be completed by the OEM.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.