A02-JA Sole Source FAR Part 13.5 Over SAT_Bullet Pull_20250220(Final)_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification Review Document for a sole source procurement under FAR Part 13.501 for Universal Testing Machine upgrades and replacements at the Army Aberdeen Testing Center (ATC). The requirement includes retrofitting one ETM 602 Universal Testing Machine from manual control to Virtual Machine Control (VMC) and procuring two new Model 300SL machines, with a projected award date of March 2025 using Base Support 2034 procurement funding expiring 9/30/2027.

The document justifies sole sourcing to Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company as the only manufacturer capable of providing machines compatible with existing tooling and performing required operations across calibers from 5.56mm to 120mm rounds. The retrofit includes upgrading the control panel, adding a new load cell, and installing remote operation capabilities. The two new Model 300SL machines will include 2ft longer columns, 230V power, remote operation features, and Horizon software for materials testing. Market research determined no other vendors could meet the specialized requirements for ammunition testing and remote operation. The original LoCap 602 machine was purchased in 2007, and the new procurement will provide significant cost savings by utilizing existing tooling rather than requiring new tooling design and fabrication for a different manufacturer's equipment.