A02.06_Justification Approval Signed.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

Control Number: ERDC 26-3530

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

January 2026

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR Part 13 Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

Program/Equipment: Kulite Pressure Gauge for ERDC GSL

Authority: 48 CFR as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

Soliciting from a single source —For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold using simplified procedures as applied in FAR Part 13.

Amount: $78,150.00

Prepared by: ________________________________

Angela M. Stokes

Contract Specialist

Phone: 601-634-4878

Date: 4 February 2026 E-mail: angela.m.stokes@usace.army.mil

Contracting Officer: ________________________________

David G. Ammermann Phone: 217-373-4490

Contracting Officer Date:

E-mail: david.g.ammermann@usace.army.mil

Technical: ________________________________

John Hoeman Phone: 601-634-4248

Research Civil Engineer Date:

E-mail: john.m.hoeman@usace.army.mil

Requirements: ________________________________

Catherine Stephens Phone: 601-529-2203

Research Civil Engineer Date:

E-mail: catherine.s.stephens@usace.army.mil

Controlled by: Army

Controlled by: USACE - CEERD

CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition

Distribution/Limited Dissemination Control: FEDCON

POC: David G. Ammermann / 217-373-4490 mailto:angela.m.stokes@usace.army.mil mailto:david.g.ammermann@usace.army.mil

January 2026

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

Program Manager/Program Executive Officer:

Catherine Stephens Phone: 601-529-2203

Research Civil Engineer E-mail: catherine.s.stephens@usace.army.mil

Small Business:

Kim Dulaney Phone: 601-634-3470

Deputy of Small Business Programs E-mail: kimberly.l.dulaney@usace.army.mil

January 2026

FAR Part 13 Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

1. Requiring Activity: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and

Development Center (ERDC) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) located at 3909

Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180-6199

2. Contracting Activity: The USACE ERDC Contracting Office located at 3909 Halls Ferry

Road, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180-6199

3. Description of Action: This document constitutes as justification and approval for other than full and open competition. This action is for the ERDC to award a new Firm-Fixed-Price contract on a sole source basis to Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc. (CAGE: 34345 / UEI:

LN9YKAX66918), herein referred to as Kulite, for Kulite brand pressure sensors. The estimated total value is $78,150.00. This justification seeks approval on a sole source basis pursuant to procedures at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

4. Description of Supplies/Services: The GSL requires the purchase of Kulite brand pressure sensor data collection equipment for conducting explosive research experiments. To support this explosive research, GSL researchers have historically used firing modules and detonators manufactured by Kulite. Pressure gauges must remain consistent with existing hardware to ensure repeatable data are collected during testing events. The specific pressure sensor gauge listed below is required and specified in detail in the Description of Requirements (DOR).

Type, Cat. Or Part# Description

XCL-IC-100-25A

Miniature Pressure Probe in 25 psi absolute range similar as described on attached data sheet with 0.5-inch-long probe and internal compensation except cover glass over diaphragm is removed, sensor cavity is flushed out with

RTV, unit is supplied without protective screen and cable supplied in place of individual leads.

5. Authority Cited: Title 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Soliciting from a Single Source

6. Reason for Authority Cited: The ERDC has a need to purchase one pressure sensor manufactured exclusively by Kulite.

a. Background: The GSL researchers initiate scientific discovery through a multi-faceted approach that includes field and laboratory data collection and instrumentation development, computational science and data analytics. These techniques are used to develop innovative solutions in force projection and maneuver support, force protection and weapons effects, civil

January 2026 works and infrastructure, and operational support and technology transfer. In the area of force protection and weapons effects, the GSL develops innovative solutions for the Army, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, other government agencies, and deployed troops to provide force protection from foxholes to fixed facilities, against weapon threats ranging from small arms to terrorist weapons through advanced conventional weapons with multispectral sensors.

As part of the force protection research efforts, the GSL conducts field experiments using explosives to simulate threats against the GSL-developed protective technologies. Pressure gauges are used to measure pressures in high shock environments to better understand blast propagation and structural loading during explosive events. To maintain the GSL’s capabilities to accurately measure pressure and shock wave propagation from explosive events, new gauges must be purchased to replenish and expand current inventory. These specialized gauges manufactured by Kulite must remain consistent with previous gauges produced to ensure repeatable data is collected during test events.

b. Alternatives: There are no known alternatives that can meet the governments requirement. It has taken the ERDC GSL multiple years through trial and error to identify equipment that has proven to be consistent and reliable when conducting blast measurement techniques. The most reliable, trusted equipment is manufactured by Kulite. The ERDC currently utilizes Kulite brand gauges, which are essential to getting accurate blast measurements. The manufacturing process is critical to the performance of the required gauges.

While other vendors might be able to manufacture the required gauges with similar materials and properties, their process, materials and quality control standards may not be the same as Kulite.

No other brand or model will meet the government’s need. There are no resellers or third-party vendors for these products.

c. Impact if not approved: The testing environment in which these pressure gauges are used is very dynamic. Kulite brand gauges have been used in all previous blast experiments. It is essential that the results of blast experiments be evaluated based on the same, consistent standards. While other brands produce similar gauges, materials used in the manufacturing process may be slightly different. Additionally, quality control measures may differ resulting in a lesser product. Because of this, it is vital that Kulite brand gauges that are compatible with existing Kulite brand equipment be used moving forward to ensure accurate blast measurements.

If Kulite brand equipment were substituted, the GSL would not know if the results of blast experiments are true and accurate. As a result, no other manufacturer has the capability to provide this item to the ERDC to be used in testing and evaluation.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: In accordance with FAR 5.201(b)(1)(i) and 5.207(c)(15), notice of intent W912HZ26N2220 to award this requirement on a single source basis to Kulite was posted to the government-wide point of entry (GPE) at www.sam.gov on 13 January 2026 under North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code 336413 – Other

Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1,250 employees.

All interested, responsible sources were informed that they could submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to provide the requirement for consideration by the ERDC. No http://www.sam.gov/

January 2026 vendors responded to this notice with their qualification’s statements. To date, no other sources have written to express interest in the acquisition.

a. Effective competition: At this time, this action is not available for competition due to the fact that Kulite is the only vendor capable of meeting the government’s requirement. Being a research and development organization, ERDC will continue to stay abreast of changing, technological developments, new products, equipment, materials, and supplies which may become available and can in the future be used to satisfy similar requirements. Should a vendor become available that is capable of meeting the governments requirement, all costs and technical aspects will be considered in order to increase competition in the future.

b. Subcontracting competition: No small businesses were identified that can meet this requirement. Therefore; subcontracting opportunities do not exist for this requirement, and this will be documented in the contracting file.

A. Actions to Increase Competition: This action is not available for competition due to the fact that Kulite is the only source for this requirement. Should a vendor become available that is capable of meeting the governments requirement, all costs and technical aspects will be considered in order to increase competition in the future.

B. Market Research: Market research has been conducted for this acquisition utilizing historical acquisition information, review of Government and commercial databases for relevant information and review of other internet sources. The resulting market research found that this requirement meets the definition of a commercial item and it is recommended that these this need be satisfied by awarding a firm fixed price purchase order. Additionally, it is determined that Kulite, a small business, is the only vendor capable of providing this specialized gauge.

These products are not available under the GSA or any other mandatory sources. There are no existing contracts that can meet this need. The following internet sources were researched:

https://kulite.com/ www.sam.gov www.fpds.gov https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/advantage/

GSL expert George Vankirk, John Hoemann

C. Interested Sources: Notice of Intent to Sole Source, number W912HZ26N2220, was published on SAM.gov on 13 January 2026 and there were no responses.

D. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history. There has been other recent acquisition of similar type Kulite products purchased by ERDC in the past.

https://kulite.com/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.fpds.gov/ https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/advantage/

January 2026

Contract ID Action Obligation Date Signed

W912HZ12P0309 $14,373.75 10-Apr-13

W912HZ12P0309 $35,050.00 29-Sep-12

W912HZ15P0041 $86,285.00 30-Mar-15

W912HZ20P0050 $0.00 2-Jul-20

W912HZ20P0050 $82,940.40 30-Apr-20

W912HZ20P0097 $24,105.00 30-Jul-20

W912HZ20P0122 $86,339.50 27-Sep-20

W912HZ21A0015 $0.00 7-May-21

W912HZ21FV005 $22,406.00 6-Aug-21

W912HZ21FV005 $100.00 31-Aug-21

W912HZ22F0014 $33,900.00 26-Aug-22

W912HZ23F0056 $104,858.00 18-Jan-23

W912HZ23F0206 $24,834.00 6-Jul-23

b. Other facts. None.

E. 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.

Catherine Stephens

Research Civil Engineer

F. 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.

Catherine Stephens

Research Civil Engineer

January 2026

G. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price/cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. This determination will be made using a comparison of proposed prices with the Independent

Government Estimate in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(v). Per FAR 15.401-1 (a)

Certified cost or pricing data shall not be obtained for acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold.

David G. Ammermann

Contracting Officer

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

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of one Kulite Pressure

Gauge on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of Title 41

U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Soliciting from a Single Source. The estimated value of the new contract is $78,150.00. The approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies and/or services herein described have otherwise been authorized for this acquisition.