A02.06 SSJ PART 13_Bruker Nanoindenter_Signed__Redacted.pdf

ERDC Control No. 25-3469

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(Under FAR Part 13)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (EDRC – GSL), ERDC Contracting Office

(ECO)

2. Description of Action: Bruker TI Premier II Dynamic Nanoindenter

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: Civil Works Funding

(21x2040)

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is engaged in an ongoing Military Engineering research and development programs for force protection and materials development. As such the need for a more advanced Brunker Nanoindenter test system has been identified to allow GSL to enhance its capabilities to characterize samples and report on the material properties. The acquisition of a Brunker Nanoindenter will allow GSL to perform hardness testing under both force and displacement feed-back control as well as performing hardness testing under elevated temperatures.

Controlled By: ARMY Controlled By: USACE ERDC

CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition Distribution/Dissemination Control: FED ONLY

POC: Christine Shuck 217-259-0801

The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is .

4. Authority:

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 reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The requirements for this acquisition require that a Bruker TI Premier II Dynamic Nanoindenter be acquired. This system is unique in that it utilizes electrostatic actuation rather than electromagnetic actuation to ensure that thermal drift due to Joule heating is not introduced. Additionally, force actuation and displacement sensing are combined in a single actuator to allow for the use of either method depending on testing needs, thermal drift of the nanoindentation head is less than 0.05 nm/sec, and the load transducer is rated for up to 10N. This system has the capability to perform high speed mechanical property matching and can perform up to 4 nanoindentation measurements per second resulting in a large increase in capacity of samples that can be conducted per day. The system has an integrated antivibration system to minimize noise in sample collection which is critical as the CMB has the potential for large vibrations to occur when some testing is conducted on the load frames.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: ERDC continues to monitor other means to increase competition and utilize competition whenever possible.

7. Market Research: Market research was conducted to identify vendors that would be able to satisfy the equipment requirement. There are currently no known contracts for this system. This system has not been previously purchased by the ERDC. The system for this action has unique features as listed in the previous section that are not found on other systems. Market Research was conducted by in August 2025.

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:

9. Additional information to support the justification: N/A

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name:

Title: Research Mechanical Engineer, GSL Signature:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated price for the resultant contract will represent a fair and reasonable price to the Government in accordance with FAR 13.106(a)(2). The basis for this determination will be price analysis techniques.

Name: Christine Shuck Title: Contracting Officer Signature:

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval: I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Name: Christine Shuck Title: Contracting Officer Signature: