JA-FY19-J09_Redacted.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center

Moffett Field, California 94035-1000

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition [FAR 6.303-2(b)(1)]

Summary Information:

Initiating Office: NASA Ames Research Center

US Army Aviation Development Directorate, Code Y

Purchase Request No.: 4200701052

Procurement Title: Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Equipment

Total Estimated Value:

Period of Performance: September 2019 January 2020

Statutory Authority:

[FAR 6.303-2(b)(4)]

10 USC 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

This Justification for other than full and open competition has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303 and NASA FAR Supplement

(NFS) 1806.303.

Detailed Information:

A. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(2)]

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) proposes to negotiate a sole source Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract with LaVision Inc. to purchase two (2) High Resolution, High Speed Cameras, two (2) 10GB Ethernet options for the cameras, one (1) 10 GB Network Interface cards, one (1) Shake-the-box Software upgrade and one (1) Dual Cavity Diode Pumped Solid State, High Repetition Rate Laser. Code Y wants to conduct a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique which is an optical technique that provides instantaneous snapshots of velocity field within a three dimensional volume in space. LaVision is the only manufacturer in the United States that makes high precision, image processing algorithm based on the state-of-the-art shake-the-box algorithm available in the commercial marketplace. As a subcomponent of PIV system, for high temporal resolution PIV measurement. The ability to expand the existing camera system with the acquisition of the new equipment to be procured, mentioned above, will allow for high precision through a synchronized operating system that is patented by LaVision. A combinations of lesser strengthened lasers would create a loss of power and less precise outcome of the PIV.

The Period of Performance (POP) for the above proposed sole source award is September 2019 to September 2020 for the procurement of the supplies for the PIV technique. The lead time of the parts is eight (8) to ten (10) weeks.

JA-FY19-J09

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition PR No. 4200701052

B. Description of the su (including estimated value). [FAR 6.303-2(b)(3)]

The US Army Aviation Development Directorate currently has several sub-components that are required in order to develop a time-resolved tomographic PIV system. The sub-components needs to communicate with each other with Nano-second precision. By procuring sub-components from the same commercial contractors that the current components were purchased from will save money and efficiency when conducting the PIV technique as precision is key. The sub-components to be purchased are:

Two (2) High Resolution, High Speed Cameras, Two (2) 10GB Ethernet options for the cameras, One (1) 10 GB Network Interface cards, One (1) Shake-the-box Software upgrade and One (1) Dual Cavity Diode Pumped Solid State, High Repetition Rate Laser

The estimated dollar value covering this Justification of Other than Full and Open Competition is

C. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(4)]

The statutory authority for this procurement is 10 USC 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source and no Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

D. D acquisition requires use of the authority cited. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(5)]

LaVision, Inc. is one of the only commercial contractors that sell high precision image processing algorithm using shake-the-box technique in the commercial market place. The same patented software also controls a dual head, high-energy, high-speed laser and cameras through high-precision synchronization. There are several sub-components already in the on the same software as the laser and two (2) cameras to be procured. As such, LaVision is the only known responsible source (in terms of reliability, repeatability, availability) possessing the capability to integrate efficiently with the sub- subcomponents from other vendors (including image processing software) would only cost more and decrease the capability in terms of reduced spatial resolution and the precision of the technique to be performed.

E. 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 FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(6)]

On 1 August 2019, ARC posted a sources sought (80ARC019Q0013) on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website

PIV equipment. LaVision is the only viable company capable of meeting the PIV technique sub-component requirements stated in the sources sought notice. The synopsis provided instructions for interested organizations to submit capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort to the Contracting Officer. Three (3) capability statements were received in response to the sources sought and it was determined that only LaVision, Inc. met all the requirements of the FBO posting.

F. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)]

The Contracting Officer Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. Prior to execution of the contractual instrument, a proposal analysis will be performed in accordance with FAR 15.404. The proposal analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract extension is fair and reasonable. Analysis will include price evaluation techniques.

Pre-negotiation objectives will be prepared prior to the initiation of negotiations and will be approved in accordance with FAR 15.406 prior to the conduct of negotiations.

G. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)]

The Technical team identified a number of commercially available Lasers, Cameras and software to conduct the PIV technique. l the laser and cameras to high precision, but also process the acquired images in a far superior way compared to the products offered by other vendors.

The Sources Sought notice (80ARC019Q0013) was posted on 1 August 2019 for 15 days. The responses were to be submitted via FBO repository. There were three (3) responses received.

After review of the Request for Information submittals, it was determined that LaVision is the only responsible source.

The Contracting Specialist searched GSA, NASA SEWP and Army Chess for Cameras, Lasers and Software meeting the specifications and also for LaVision and none of the above locations had any existing schedules for the sub-components or with LaVision. The NAICS code was searched utilizing EDWOSB and no companies are present in NAICS code 334519.

H. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. [FAR 6.303- 2(b)(9)]

The Technical Representative, Manikandan Ramasamy, has determined LA Vision is highly qualified to provide the PIV equipment. LaVision is the only responsible source reasonably capable of providing the equipment and all sub-components needed to communicate with existing equipment.

I. Listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)]

A sources sought was posted in FBO as stated in paragraph E above, and three (3) sources responded. It was determined that only one source, LaVision, could satisfy the agency requirements providing PIV Equipment.

J. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(11)]

No subsequent acquisition is anticipated, at this time. Future acquisition will require similar market research.

Signature Page

Requirement Initiator:

Manikandan Ramasamy Aerospace Engineer

I certify that the facts presented in this justification are accurate and complete.

Signature Date

Contracting Officer:

Starr Strong

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. [FAR 6.303-2(b)(12)]

Signature Date