A04 Sole Source Justification_GSSI_FINAL_Signed_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES

FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

UNDER FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) PART 12

1. AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: The Department of War, Washington

Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate, Defense Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Accounting Agency (DPAA).

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: WHS/AD proposes to issue a sole-source contract to

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc (GSSI )for the purchase, shipment, and support of a brand name GSSI SIR 400 HyperStacking 350 MHz ground penetrating radar (GPR) and accessories. Ground penetrating radar is utilized by the DPAA during forensic archaeological investigations to locate buried features such as mass graves and aircraft impact craters for future forensic archaeological excavations. The estimated value of this action is $38,729.64, which includes purchase and shipment of the below items in section 3, and will be funded by Operations and Maintenance (O&M) appropriation.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES: The DPAA has a requirement for the purchase of brand-name GSSI GPR equipment, specifically the SIR 400 HyperStacking 350 MHz GPR, and accessories. This specialized equipment will be utilized by DPAA personnel to conduct non-invasive geophysical and archaeological remote-sensing surveys. These surveys analyze investigative leads and scan potential military personnel loss sites (such as historic aircraft crash sites) to identify subsurface anomalies.

Identifying these anomalies guides ground-truthing exploration and subsequent recovery excavations in the agency’s ongoing mission to find and account for missing American servicemembers. Application of this remote-sensing device is essential under the DPAA mission to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. The GSSI UtilityScan Pro is the exclusive leader in the geophysical remote-sensing industry for archaeological pursuits to accurately locate the position and depth of underground metallic and non-metallic anomalies. The purchase of the GSSI UtilityScan Pro Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) System will allow DPAA to effectively meet modern scientific archaeological standards for Phase I & II field survey to identify subsurface anomalies efficiently.

of locating archaeological features.. Procuring equipment from an alternative contractor would require DPAA to half active operations to conduct a lengthy validation process and establish new data comparability standards. This re-validation effort is not timely, would introduce unacceptable operation delays, and would directly impact the DPAA’s ability to execute its recovery missions. If equipment is purchased from another manufacturer, DPAA would have to validate it and establish comparability of data results, which is not timely and would not fulfill the needs of the DPAA’s mission.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: From 09 March 2026 to 11 March 2026, the DPAA conducted market research into GPR units that meet the agency’s unique technical, regulatory, and ANAB accreditation requirements. Based on this market research, GSSI was identified as the only vendor and manufacturer capable or providing a system that meets all essential technical parameters and maintains DPAA’s established laboratory accreditation standards. No other vendor was compatible with our current equipment or has equipment that has been validated under ANAB. DPAA has previously established ground penetrating radar using GSSI equipment in a field forensic setting to meet its mission and satisfy DPAA accreditation requirements (meeting instrument specifications, scientific archaeological industry standards, and function) for the proposed application. Validation of consistent and comparable remote-sensing results is a time consuming and necessary component of applying remote-sensing technologies in a forensic field setting. DPAA has validated results generated using GSSI equipment are consistent across platforms and comparable to results generated by professional scientists who routinely use this exact system. No other equipment has been validated for comparability in this manner.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION: The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated prices will be fair and reasonable by using the techniques identified at FAR 15.404-1 to ensure award will be at fair and reasonable prices. Certified Cost and Pricing Data will not be obtained.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: Market research was conducted from 09 March 2026 to 11

March 2026 and no other vendors were found that meet DPAA’s specific requirements.

Due to the required capabilities and consistency of results, the Government reviewed contractor equipment specifications and determined that only GSSI manufactured GPR equipment can meet the Government’s requirement.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF SOLE SOURCE: Not applicable.

10. INTERESTED SOURCES: Not applicable.

11. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION: The Government determined GSSI is the only vendor capable of fulfilling contract requirements. GSSI equipment is the only forensically validated equipment of its kind. The equipment is manufactured and distributed by GSSI. The Government will continue to survey the marketplace to determine if there are any other sources that can fulfill our requirement.

12. Is this acquisition for a non-competitive follow-on acquisition previously awarded on a non-competitive basis?

Yes. A copy of the previous justification is attached. The actions to remove any No

APPROVAL

I, hereby, certify that the supporting data under my cognizance included in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

07/06/2026

Contracting Officer Date

DIGGS.JONATHAN.W.12

94357650

Digitally signed by

DIGGS.JONATHAN.W.1294357650

Date: 2026.07.06 12:09:00 -04'00'