A02.05_KO Determination for Brand Name.pdf

CUI

(Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

Brand Name Determination DUST TRAKs 8530 & 8533

1. Contracting Activity: The agency making this acquisition is the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), the contracting office is located at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), and the Mobility Systems Branch (MSB) 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199.

2. Description of Action: This determination seeks approval to award a new Firm Fixed

Price (FFP) contract on a brand name basis pursuant to procedures at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) to purchase DustTrak 8530 & 8533.

3. Description of the product required to meet the agency’s needs: The ERDC requires DustTrack 8530 and 8533.

Specifications for the DustTrak 8533 (Qty. 2)

• Simultaneous measurements of mass fraction concentrations corresponding to

PM1, PM2.5, respirable, PM10 and PM Total size fractions

• Must be able to operate outdoors (need one environmental enclosure) for 12 hours or more using batteries

• Must be battery operated, with rechargeable batteries

• Must include a real-time display

• Particle size range from 0.1 to 15 μm

• Aerosol concentration range from 0.001 to 150 mg/m3

• Programmable data logging

• Resolution: greater of ±0.1% of reading or 0.001 mg/m3

• Flowate: minimum of 3.0 L/min

• Flow accuracy: maximum of ±5%

• Logging interval: programmable, up to 1 second

• Accessories: Auto zeroing module, protective environmental enclosure, heated inlet sample conditioner

Specifications for the DustTrak 8530 (Qty. 1)

• Measures aerosol concentrations corresponding to PM1, PM2.5, respirable, PM10 or size fractions

• Must be able to operate outdoors (need one environmental enclosure) for 12 hours or more using batteries

• Must be battery operated, with rechargeable batteries

• Must include a real-time display

• Particle size range from 0.1 to 10 μm

• Aerosol concentration range from 0.001 to 400 mg/m3

• Programmable data logging

(Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

• Resolution: greater of ±0.1% of reading or 0.001 mg/m3

• Flow rate: 1.40 to of 3.0 L/min

• Flow accuracy: maximum of ±5%

• Logging interval: programmable, up to 1 second

4. Authority Cited: FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a single source (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. Reason for Authority Cited: In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source (e.g. brand name) reasonably available.

Background: The GSL needs sensors that can be mounted to a vehicle to collect dust measurements emitted by the vehicle as described in recent EPA dust emission report.

The data will be used to validate dust models used in ERDCs Virtual Autonomous Navigation Environment. MSB needs to purchase three DustTrak nephelometers.

One nephelometer that measures either dust concentration or particle size (DustTrak 8530) and two nephelometers that simultaneously measures concentration and particle size (DustTrak 8533).

Justification: The MSB has multiple sponsor-funded projects studying the effect of dust emissions caused by vehicle traffic to develop high fidelity dust models for virtual autonomous vehicle simulations. The GSL has extensively researched alternative products, but no other product meets the specific requirements needed to record dust emissions at high sample rates. These instrumentation packages have unique characteristics that are essential to the successful operation of the testing systems. The quality and reliability of these items have been thoroughly tested and have consistently met high standards.

Additionally, in order to continue to characterize dust emission caused by vehicle traffic, the MSB will need to have comparable data from multiple years of testing.

This is only possible by continuing to use Dust-Trak sensors that are compatible with existing equipment. A brand name procurement for Dust-Trak is necessary to maintain the compatibility and functionality of MSB’s existing systems and would ultimately avoid timely efforts in finding a suitable replacement and will ultimately aid in the MSB’s research efforts to meet strict sponsor-driven deadlines.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Two vendors are known to sell Dust Trak equipment; however, there could be more. Adequate competition is anticipated for this requirement.

(Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

7. Determination that costs will be fair and reasonable: The independent government estimate, catalog prices, price competition, and the laboratory’s technical representative’s knowledge of the industry will be used to determine if the quoted price is fair and reasonable.

8. Description of Market Research: Market research has been conducted for this acquisition utilizing historical acquisition information, review of Government and commercial sources for relevant information, and review of other internet sources. The resulting market research found that the products required to meet the Government’s need are commercial items and more than one vendor can provide the items required to meet the Government’s need.

9. Contracting Officer Determination: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Allison Hudson Contracting Officer