A02.06 Justification and Approval- ABLS PM and Engineering Support IDIQ- Approved- OCT07.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

ERDC Control Number: 25-3435

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

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

Controlled By: USACE Controlled By: ERDC Contracting Office CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition Limited Dissemination Control: FEDCON Distribution Statement: B POC: David Ammermann, 217-373-4490

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR Part 13 Justification and Approval

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

Program/Equipment: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) for Advanced Blast Load Simulator Preventive Maintenance and Engineering Support Services

Authority Cited: Title 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) §1901(e)(2) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii), sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial items.

Period of Performance: 5-year ordering period from date of SATOC award

Amount: $1,000,000.00

Prepared by: Jennifer Hoben Phone: 601-634-7166 Contract Specialist Date: 19 September 2025 E-mail: Jennifer.Hoben@usace.army.mil

Contracting Officer: David Ammermann Phone: 217-373-4490 Contracting Officer Date: 19 September 2025 E-mail: David.G.Ammermann@usace.army.mil

Technical: Dr. Carol Johnson Phone: 601-634-3232 Research Civil Engineer Date: 19 September 2025

E-mail: Carol.F.Johnson@usace.army.mil

Requirements: Julie Hicks Phone: 601-634-2016 Contracting Officer Representative Date: 19 September 2025 E-mail: Julie.A.Hicks@usace.army.mil

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

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

CENTER REVIEWERS

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and have found it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

ERDC Program Manager/Program Executive Officer:

Omar Flores Phone: 601-634-3263 Supervisory Research Civil Engineer Email: Omar.G.Flores@usace.army.mil for the Structural Mechanics Branch, GSL

Signature: _______________________________

ERDC Small Business:

Kimberly L. Dulaney Phone: 601-634-3470 ERDC Deputy of Small Business Email: Kimberly.L.Dulaney@usace.army.mil

Signature: _______________________________

ERDC Office of Counsel:

Daniel Egger Phone: 601-634-2260 ERDC Office of Counsel Email: Daniel.L.Egger@usace.army.mil (Signature denotes legal sufficiency)

Signature: _______________________________

ERDC Contracting Officer:

David G. Ammermann Phone: 217-373-4490 Contracting Officer Email: David.G.Ammermann@usace.army.mil

Signature: _______________________________

ERDC Local Advocate for Competition:

Patricia M. Sullivan, SES Phone: 601-634-3065 Deputy Director Email: Patricia.M.Sullivan@usace.army.mil

Signature: ________________________________

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

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

SCO-C&L and Headquarter Reviews

I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Small Business:

MEREDITH L. MCKINNEY (202) 568-9359

HQ USACE, Office of Small Business Programs meredith.l.mckinney@usace.army.mil

Technical Review:

REBECCA VANDINE (605) 786-7624

HQ USACE, Technical Representative rebecca.m.vandine@usace.army.mil

Office of Counsel:

DEENA G. BRAUNSTEIN (202) 288-9934

Senior SCO Counsel deena.g.braunstein@usace.army.mil

VANDINE.REBECCA.MA

RIE.1383103653

Digitally signed by

VANDINE.REBECCA.MARIE.1383103653

Date: 2025.10.06 10:44:08 -06'00'

Deena Braunstein

Digitally signed by Deena Braunstein Date: 2025.10.06 14:18:48 -04'00'

MCKINNEY.MEREDITH

.LATRICE.1090922560

Digitally signed by

MCKINNEY.MEREDITH.LATRICE.10909

22560 Date: 2025.10.07 08:32:30 -04'00'

FAR Part 13 Justification and Approval Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

1. Requiring Activity: The Structural Mechanics Branch (SMB) of the Geotechnical and

Structures Laboratory (GSL) is located at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199.

2. Contracting Activity: The ERDC Contracting Office (ECO) is located at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180- 6199.

3. Description of Action: The ERDC requests approval to award a new Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) with an ordering period of five years and a capacity of $1,000,000.00 to Stumptown Research and Development LLC (CAGE: 824N1), to procure the required Advanced Blast Load Simulator (ABLS) preventive maintenance and engineering support services. Funding will be obligated at the task order level. The first task order will be funded using appropriate Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Civil Works funds (096*3122), which will meet the minimum guarantee of $10,000.00.The first task order will be evaluated in conjunction with the base IDIQ SATOC award and will be awarded immediately after the base IDIQ.

4. Description of Supplies/Services: The Structural Mechanics Branch of the ERDC-GSL is constructing a 12-ft x 12-ft ABLS-12 which will soon be used in large scale testing at ERDC.

This new system is nearly complete and in the final stages of calibration testing. With this new system, comes the need for the development, and performance, of Preventive Maintenance (PM) and Engineering Support Services. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision and other items and services necessary to provide non-personal technical assistance to ERDC-GSL. To support this mission, the contractor will be required to complete two tasks that include Task 1: Preventive Maintenance and Task 2: Engineering Support Services.

For Task 1, the Contractor shall be responsible for establishing and implementing a comprehensive PM program covering the ABLS Device and all applicable components associated with it, such as, but not limited to, the modular test sections, target reaction frame, end-wave eliminator, calibration plate, gas flow system and piping, etc. The PM program should consist primarily of inspection, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, calibration, and minor part and component replacement (i.e. bolts, hoses, fittings, louvers, etc.). The PM program is required to minimize malfunction, breakdown, and deterioration of equipment. This program shall include at a minimum, equipment priority, frequency, description of the maintenance to be performed, and an annual PM schedule for all equipment included in the program. The PM program shall also document in writing all repairs required to bring the equipment up to the manufacturer’s operating standards and provide a copy to the Contracting Officer Representative. The deliverables for Task 1 will include a PM program schedule for inspection, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, calibration, and minor part and component replacements (i.e.

bolts, hoses, fittings, louvers, etc.), and documentation, in writing, of all repairs completed to bring the equipment up to the manufacturer’s operating standards.

For Task 2, the Contractor shall develop new and unique test plan(s) based on the testing needs of the ERDC-GSL Researchers, as needed, when work is to be performed. The details of the testing plan may require the Contractor to visit the ERDC ABLS and/or discuss the specific testing needs over the telephone or video conference. Upon written approval of the test plan by ERDC Researchers, the contractor shall ensure that all equipment required in the test plan is available at the Blast Load Simulator (BLS) Facility and is in working order. The deliverables for Task 2 will include written documentation of new/unique testing procedure/plan, formula/mixture/amounts of gasses required for calibration and/or testing, written documentation of ABLS device test plan configuration, written documentation of any modifications to the ABLS device safety plan, written estimate for labor hours for test plan development, posttest review of any newly development test plan/device configuration.

This SATOC will have a five year ordering period and a capacity of $1,000,000.00, with no options. The independent government cost estimate for this requirement is $1,000,000.00 based on anticipated labor categories, travel, other direct costs, and subject matter experts for the projected ABLS testing over the next five years. It is anticipated that at least two task orders per year will be awarded under this SATOC. However, additional task orders may be issued depending on mission requirements.

5. Authority Cited: Title 41 U.S.C. §1901(e)(2) as implemented in FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii), sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial items. The estimated price for this requirement is $1,000,000.00. Therefore, in accordance with FAR 13.500(a), the use of simplified procedures is authorized for the acquisition of supplies and services in amounts greater than the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $7.5 million ($15 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500(c)), including options, if the contracting officer reasonably expects, based on the nature of the supplies or services sought, and on market research, that offers will include only commercial products or commercial services.

6. Reason for Authority Cited:

a) Background: The ERDC developed the BLS Facility to support or replace high-explosive field trials by allowing blast effects research to be conducted by GSL in Vicksburg, MS.

The facility consists of two combustible gas driven ABLS devices and one compressed gas driven BLS. The simulators are housed in underground enclosures to minimize acoustic and blast waves created by the devices. They are used to evaluate the structural response of walls, windows, concrete slabs, and composite materials subjected to the fully reflected pressure wave, from a blast, across a target surface. To increase the testing capabilities of ERDC beyond the current physical constraints or size of the ERDC’s current BLS device, the SMB is constructing a 12-ft x 12-ft ABLS-12 which will soon be used in large scale testing at ERDC. This new system is nearly complete and in the final stages of calibration testing. With this new system comes the need for the development and performance of PM and engineering support services as described above in paragraph 4. The challenges of maintaining the newly constructed device underground, in a high humidity environment, under extreme, intermittent, internal pressures, are such that GSL requires a PM plan to be developed and executed to ensure that the ABLS device remains in working order. Since an ABLS of this size and magnitude has never been constructed or operated, the full extent of its capabilities are not yet known or fully understood. Thus, the engineering support services from Stumptown will greatly benefit ERDC and GSL in creating test plans that will accomplish ERDC’s mission.

SMB requests to issue a contract on a sole source basis to Stumptown Research and Development, LLC (herein referred to as Stumptown) due to their license agreement with the designer of Patent No. US 9027383B2 for the ABLS device. This ABLS-12 device was developed, innovated and modified for the US Government to meet the unique testing needs of the GSL. The license agreements have resulted from this custom development.

The Patent holders for the ABLS device are ORA, Inc., and Dyna-FX Consulting LLC.

ERDC-GSL contracted with ORA Inc. to construct the ABLS-12 device and the 4-ft by 4-ft ABLS (ABLS-4) prototype under Contract Number W912HZ19C0002, awarded 28 March 2019 in the total amount of $3,974,765.00. Stumptown, a subcontractor under ORA Inc.

designed and constructed the gas flow system to operate the ABLS-12 device. Stumptown also designed and constructed a new gaseous detonation driver for the original BLS-8 device under ERDC Other Transaction (OT) Agreement W912HZ229C006, which was awarded on 01 September 2022 in the amount of $568,119.20.

Stumptown holds a license agreement with the designer of the patent for the ABLS device.

Thus, Stumptown has extensive knowledge of the design and operation of the ABLS-12 device, the gaseous-detonation components of the ABLS device, and the ABLS structure.

The preventive maintenance schedule developed for the ABLS device will need to incorporate all the ABLS physical device components, as well as the electrical and gas flow systems. Stumptown is the only vendor that can provide the necessary services due to the licensing agreement with ORA Inc, who holds the patent for the ABLS device. ORA Inc.

does not provide services to the ABLS device, only the device itself. Stumptown is the only vendor that can provide the required services due to their knowledge on the design and operation of the gas flow system and ABLS device. No service alternatives or other vendors are capable or available to support this effort. Therefore, Stumptown Research and Development LLC is the only vendor capable of developing and maintaining a preventive maintenance schedule and engineering support services for the ABLS device.

b) Alternatives: There are no technical alternatives for the reasons noted above. The ABLS system used by ERDC is unique and there are not equivalent alternatives on the market that would provide a sufficient knowledge base for the services in this requirement. The contractor, Stumptown, retains patent rights to the ABLS and is not restricted from selling or constructing the system for other customers. Although this is the first ABLS unit built at the current scale for the Government, Stumptown has provided smaller-scale versions, with modifications, to other customers. There are no acquisition alternatives and award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays and mission failure. The Government’s intent is to have a fully operable (defined performance envelope) and well maintained system when the contract is complete.

Issuing a new contract for the development of a completely new system would require major funding and excess time and would not fulfill the agency requirement to validate the existing ABLS Device. In order to issue a new contract to develop a completely new system, the anticipated cost would be approximately ten million dollars ($10M), and it would take at least five years for a new vendor to fully understand, design, and install a new system. This amount was determined based on the cost to construct the current ABLS device, including engineering design, construction, and calibration, as well as the cost of inflation since the ABLS device was originally constructed. Further, in order to install a new system, the existing ABLS would have to be disassembled and removed. There is not enough room for a new system to be installed at the current location without completely destroying the existing system. This would result in schedule delays which are not acceptable.

Additionally, the data from the existing 8-ft BLS and 4-ft ABLS device are being used to validate an ABLS Virtual model, currently under development. The mission of the BLS Virtual Model is to better predict the performance of the ABLS. Thus, issuing a new contract or attempting to create a new, separate system with similar capabilities would risk the possibility of ERDC not being able to deliver force protection solutions to current customers resulting in time and money wasted by the Government. Therefore, it is in the Government’s best interest to issue a contract for PM and engineering support services for the existing ABLS instead of attempting to procure an entirely new system.

c) Impacts if not approved: ERDC-GSL solves the nation’s toughest military engineering challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in force protection for the Army, Department of Defense (DOD), civilian agencies, and our Nation’s public good. Among these solutions for force protection and maneveur support, GSL researches, designs, develops, and tests various materials, technologies, and systems offered by the Government and industry. Maneveur support refers to the expedient retrofit of existing buildings and other force protection measures for safe and expedient troop movement.

The GSL- SMB is the lead DOD agency responsible for structural mechanics research. The SMB awarded contract number W912HZ19C0002 on 28 March 2019 to procure a fully functional full scale single spline/1/2 space variation ABLS as described in Patent No. US 2013/0042665A1 for a Shock Tube Apparatus for Blast Wave Simulation. The SMB now has an immediate need for PM for the device to maintain its functionality over the life of the device, as well as engineering support services during the full scale validation of the device being done concurrently with project testing. The ABLS is pertinent to research being conducted by the ERDC and is essential for meeting the DOD’s core mission for force protection and support. Not maintaining the ABLS device or not receiving the required engineering support services during testing, would result in the ERDC not having a cost effective and timely means to deliver new and innovative construction methods and materials to the military in order to protect our troops in austere environments and at home.

Therefore, if the ERDC is unable to procure the required support services for the current ABLS utilizing Stumptown Research and Development, LLC, this will result in delaying the Government’s ability to continue to utilize the existing system and deploy force protection to the Warfighter in a timely manner, which is unacceptable.

The cost required for USACE to purchase services that are necessary for maintaining the existing system at ERDC is not expected to be recovered by the use of solicited competition. The SMB is interested in maintaining a proven, existing system in part due to the economy inherent in maintaining and validting an existing system instead of creating a separate new system. If the Government is not able to maintain the existing system, the only remaining avenue for the use of competition would be to create a new, separate system with similar capabilities. However, the development of a completely new system would require major funding and excess time and would not fulfill the agency requirement to maintain the existing system. Therefore, failure to provide the required updates, repairs, and service components for the existing system would be detrimental to both the Warfighter and the ERDC’s missions.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: In accordance with FAR 5.201 and 5.207(c)(15), a notice of intent (NOI) to award this requirement on a sole source basis to Stumptown was posted to the Government-wide point of entry, SAM.gov, on 03 July 2025 with a response date of 15 July 2025.

All interested responsible sources were informed that they could submit a capability statement including their experience and past performance demonstrating their ability to provide the requirement for consideration by the ERDC. This notice of intent closed on 15 July 2025. No responses were received.

a) Effective Competition: There is no competition anticipated for this procurement as no responses to the NOI were received.

b) Subcontracting Competition: Stumptown is a small business concern. Therefore, in accordance with FAR 19.702(b)(1), a subcontracting plan is not required.

8. Actions to Increase Competition: The ERDC will continue to remain watchful for new and innovative technology, products, services, and capabilities that become available which could be used to satisfy or improve similar future requirements. The Government will continue to review the current literature, monitor university-based laboratory websites, and review vendor abilities to meet this requirement in the future.

9. Market Research: Market research was conducted in April 2025 in accordance with FAR Part 10 by reviewing sources in industry through internet searches (fpds.gov and SAM.gov), discussions with the sponsor, prior contracts (W912HZ229C006 and W912HZ19C0002), and experience of GSL subject matter expert (Dr. Carol F. Johnson) in researching these types of services in prior research efforts. The subject preventive maintenance and support services were determined to be a commercial service in accordance with FAR 2.101. The government has not purchased exclusive rights to the patent for the ABLS device. The ABLS device has been constructed and sold at smaller scales to other customers. Thus, the ABLS device is considered a commercial item. The required preventive maintenance and engineering support services are commercial services that are provided to the general public. Stumptown designed and constructed the gas flow system used to operate the ERDC’s current ABLS-12. The maintenance schedule developed for the ABLS Device will need to incorporate all the ABLS physical device components, as well as the electrical and gas flow systems. Stumptown also holds a license agreement with the designer of the patent for the ABLS device. Therefore, Stumptown is the only vendor capable of developing and maintaining a maintenance schedule and engineering support services for the ABLS device. No alternatives or vendors are available to support this effort. Therefore, pursuing an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) directly with Stumptown pursuant to FAR 13.500 is in the best interest of the Government.

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

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

10. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have written to express an interest. In an attempt to acquire interested sources other than Stumptown, information regarding this procurement was posted at the GPE, the SAM.GOV website on 03 July 2025 and closed on 15 July 2025. No responses were received from this notice.

11. Other Facts:

a) Procurement History:

i. Previous Contracts: Previous ERDC contracts/agreements with Stumptown Research and Development LLC are listed below.

Other Transaction (OT) Agreement W912HZ-22-9-C006 Other Transaction (OT) Agreement W912HZ-22-9-C006 to Stumptown Research and Development LLC on 01 September 2022 in the amount of $568,119.20 for the design and construction of a new gaseous detonation driver for the original BLS-8 device under the proposal titled “ERDC Blast Load Simulator Gaseous Detonation Retrofit and Virtual Blast Load Simulator.”

Modification P00001 was issued on 30 August 2023 to extend the period of performance through 31 December 2023 and to fund Task 4 in the amount of $328,500.00

Modification P00002 was issued on 14 December 2023 to extend the period of performance through 31 January 2025.

Modification P00003 was issued on 18 December 2024 to extend the period of performance through 31 January 2026.

ii. Previously Sited Authority: The previously sited authority for Other Transaction Agreement W912HZ-22-9-C006 was 10 U.S. Code Section 4022.

iii. Previous Justification Actions to Increase Competition: Due to the swift advancements applicable to research and development, ERDC must remain watchful for new and innovative technology, products, services, and capabilities that become available which could be used to satisfy or improve similar future requirements. The Government will continue to review the current literature, monitor university-based laboratory websites, and review vendor abilities to meet this requirement in the future.

iv. Prior Use of Full and Open Competition: Not applicable.

v. Unusual Patterns: There are no unusual patterns regarding this requirement.

vi. Previous Justification and Significant Changes: N/A.

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

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

b) Other Facts: None.

12. Technical Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Dr. Carol Johnson Research Civil Engineer

13. Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Julie Hicks Contracting Officer Representative

14. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on cost analysis, market research conducted, previously awarded similar contracts, and comparison of the proposed price with the Independent Government Estimate (IGE).

David Ammermann Contracting Officer

15. Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

David Ammermann Contracting Officer

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

APPROVAL

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of the Advanced Blast Load Simulator Preventive Maintenance and Engineering Support Services SATOC from Stumptown Research and Development LLC on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of Title 41 U.S.C. §1901(e)(2) as implemented in FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii), sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial items, in the estimated amount of $1,000,000.00 subject to the availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

LILLIAN T. WATSON

Alternate Advocate for Competition – Centers and Labs