8375_Nicolet iS50FTR_Brand Name_14 Sep 2020_Redacted.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 1 of 2

Section A: General Contract Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: OL:H/PZIMB

Project/Program Name: Nicolet iS50 FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer) System

Purchase Request/Identification Number:

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

Purchase "brand name" Nicolet iS50 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) Advanced Flex Gold Spectrometer in support of the Minuteman Aging and Surveillance Program. This includes computer and software for controlling the instrument, OMNIC software, Beamsplitter, built-in diamond ATR module, and FTIR spectral library.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

The purchase of a Nicolet FTIR is required to replace the 20-year old Nicolet FTIR that has become outdated. This purchase will allow continued testing of Minuteman propellant and components, in addition to various tactical missile explosives. Technical Order MXDTA-PO-91-539 is the test procedure for the operation of the FTIR that specifies the current instrumentation configuration and software. Steps 4, 6-6.5, and 7.4-7.9 of the test procedure call out the use of the Nicolet and Omnic software.

The current instrumentation and software were manufactured by Nicolet with OMNIC software. Upgrading to the new system will allow a seamless transition for testing being lab personnel are knowledgeable in the operating of the instrument; therefore, training wouldn't be required.

FTIR needs to be compatible with TA instruments Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) instrumentation, which Nicolet offers. A new system that is not Nicolet with OMNIC, will result in the Government losing access to previous Minuteman missile propellant spectra. These spectra provide the baseline and aging trends for the missile. Lab personnel conduct aging and surveillance on the minuteman missile propellant and having the historical information is essential in identifying trends and changes in the propellant over time. For example, a sample of propellant is taken from the missile and tested with the FTIR obtaining a spectra, this spectra will show that the propellant has a specific oxidizer and plasticizer. Three years later, the same missile propellant will be tested on the same instrument and the sample will be matched against the previous tests showing a degraded oxidizer and degraded plasticizer. Without the previous spectra to compare against, the change would not be detected and could result in unnecessarily condemning a missile.

In addition, some unknown exudates that come off the missile are analyzed with FTIR. A record is kept of these exudates and when new exudates appear, they're compared with the historical spectra to see if the issue is similar or a new issue has begun being different chemicals will leach out at different times from the missile. If a system other than Nicolet is used, the ability to identify the unknown exudates from historical data would not be available.

FTIR needs to be compatible with add-on features, including TGA-IR (Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer-Infrared) interface with TA instruments TGA. Other manufactures have this option but are not compatible with TA instruments. FTIR needs to have gold optics for far, near, and mid IR (infrared) operation. FTIR needs to have a monolithic diamond ATR crystal that can be mounted and sealed in the desiccated/purge zone and operation through OMNIC software. Spectral range 7800 to 350 cm^-1, optical resolution in Mid-IR of less than 0.09 cm^-1, Signal to noise ratio at 1 minute 55,000:1, Ordinate linearity 0.07%T, Diamond ATR module with spectral range of 5000-80cm^-1, 60 pounds of down force pressure, DLaTGS detector. MXDTA-PO-91-539 is the test procedure for the operation of the FTIR that specifies the current instrumentation configuration and software. The TO will need to be re-written if a different system is purchased which will add additional costs.

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 2

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Government contacts and contacts of known sources were conducted by the SME to find potential vendors that could provide the FTIP. Market research showed that one (1) large vendor (GSA) and one (1) small business are able to supply the item. This justification is for brand name only.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

The Government will continue to acquire this product through full and open competition and will continue to survey the marketplace in an effort to increase competition.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

14-Sep-2020

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer

Daniel Brock, Contracting Officer

Signature of Contracting Officer