A02.13 Sole Source Justification.pdf

ERDC Control No. 20-1862

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (EDRC – CERL)

2. Description of Action:

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

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: Army RDT&E (21 2040)

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action, including options, is $107,450.00

b. The Government has a requirement for smart radios (Persistent Systems - MPU5), and related accessories to include radio cards, antennas, cables, and power modules. These radios will be used to communicate between robots that have the radios mounted. The procurement will include options for additional quantities on radio cards, GPS antennas, tracker antennas, and embedded wave relay modules.

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), 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 CERL Robotics for Engineer Operations (REO) research program is developing new robot technology. The robots will have mounted smart radios to communicate between each other. The new technology must replicate the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and WaRTAK(WaveRelay+ATAK) program of record software solutions to the maximum extent practicable. The MPU-5 radios manufactured by Persistent Systems are the ones currently being used by ATAK/WaRTAK end users, and identical hardware must be used for testing of ATAK/WaRTAK software/hardware. We require identical hardware to that of our end user to ensure operational compatibility and risk mitigation for transitioned software.

In addition to being identical to existing equipment, the Persistent Systems MPU5 radios combine capabilities to provide unparalleled situational awareness, communication and targeting capabilities to the war fighter. This is represented by the following specifications that no other product available incorporates:

S-Band radio module

Onboard Android OS and ability to run custom apps natively Audio Port+Push To Talk Voice+16 Channels of Voice Power connector + 3 USB Ports Power over Ethernet ability + 10/100 Ethernet Port Built in HD Video Decoder/Encoder 3x3MIMO Technology

The Government has made a determination that no other source offers a product which meets or can be modified to meet this requirement.

If these specific products are not procured, the ability to develop, test, and integrate software will be severely degraded. Furthermore, the ability to predict and quantify performance will be impaired. ATAK/WaRTAK are multimillion dollar projects involving multiple developers and numerous operational users. If the ATAK and WarTAK cannot be integrated and tested on the appropriate systems, project risks will be much higher and integration/transition into TARDEC’s Combat Vehicle Robotics program will be severely delayed. Retrofitting the current inventory of WaveRelay radios with a different kind of radio would incur unacceptable duplication of costs and delays in meeting mission requirements.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: A notice of intent to sole source to Persistent Systems Inc was posted on the Beta.SAM website from March 11, 2020 – March 18, 2020. No responses were received.

7. Market Research:

(1) Market research conducted determined that the MPU5 radios are the only hardware that meet the needed specifications; therefore, substitution is undesirable. Persistent System’s website confirms that they are the sole distributor of their products in the CONUS region.

(2) Market research was conducted in February 2019, and again in February 2020.

8. Procurement History: While this is the first time that CERL is purchasing these smart radio products, it is known that the Air Force has procured them in the past as part of the ATAK and WaRTAK program of record procurements.

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

Purchase order or contract number: W9132T19P0024

Was action competed? Yes No

If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

9. Additional information to support the justification: Not applicable

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: George Calfas Position Title: Branch Chief, CNE Email Address: George.W.Calfas@usace.army.mil Signature:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

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

Signature:

Typed Name: Andrea Thomas Title: Contracting Officer Date: