A13 - JA FAR Part 6 (AUG 2022) over SAT - Redacted.pdf

Program/Equipment: Lock and Dam 22 Fish Passage Improvement Project ARIS Sonars and accessories

Controlled Unclassified Information - (Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

1 MAY 2024

Justification Review Document for Other than Full and Open Competition - FAR Part 6

Program/Equipment: ARIS Explorer 1800 Sonars (2), ARIS Explorer 1200 Sonars (2), AR2 Rotator Package (4), Concentrator Lens (4), Cable with Reel and Transit Case (4).

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirement. This authority is applicable to brand name justifications in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c)(1).

Amount:

Prepared by:

Typed Name:

Title: Contract Specialist

E-mail:

Contracting Officer:

Typed Name:

E-Mail:

Technical Representative:

Typed Name:

Title: Civil Engineer

Requirements Representative:

Typed Name:

Title: Senior Technical Specialist

Program/Equipment: Lock and Dam 22 Fish Passage Improvement Project/

Controlled Unclassified Information

MAY 2024

Reviews

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

Title: Program Manager

Typed Name:

Signature:

Title: Legal Counsel

Typed Name:

Signature:

Controlled Unclassified Information

Brand Name Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition – FAR Part 6

1. Contracting Activity:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Rock Island, Illinois (CEMVR-CT)

2. Description of Action:

A brand name Justification and Approval is required for new ARIS Sonars and Accessories as part of the larger Lock and Dam 22 Fish Passage Improvement Project (LD22 FPIP) construction contract. The construction project will be solicited as competitive full and open requirement. A best value trade-off source selection strategy will be utilized. The type of funds to be utilized for the contract are FY 24 Construction General.

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

LD22 FPIP is the first of a series of five projects to restore longitudinal habitat connectivity for the many species of native migratory fishes in the Upper Mississippi River.

Through various USACE studies it was determined that enabling long distance migration in the Mississippi River is important to fulfill seasonal and life stage requirements for river fishes. Fish undergo seasonal movements in rivers for reproduction, feeding, and for finding thermal refugia during winter. Fish migrations are the annual movements of fish populations between different habitat areas. The fish passage can allow movement of fish past an obstacle, such as a dam in a river, and fishways are constructed channels designed to provide hydraulic connections suitable for fish to pass dams without undue stress, delay, or injury. It is anticipated that millions of fish, including up to 160 species in the fishway will be annually monitored through the use of the ARIS sonars.

The primary purpose of the LD22 FPIP is to increase opportunity for upriver fish passage, thereby increasing access to upstream mainstem river and tributary habitats. Increased access to upriver habitat should result in an increase in the size and distribution of native migratory fish populations. The secondary purpose of this project is to monitor, evaluate, learn from, and adapt future fish passage projects using lessons learned from this initial project. There are significant gaps in knowledge for this project given our limited understanding of: natural fish movements, fish movements in response to flow conditions, the diversity of fish species and their habitat requirements, and the novelty of a fish passage for the Upper Mississippi River. This information is needed for project planning and design to determine if the project objectives are met and to apply lessons learned to future fish passage projects through adaptive management.

The acquisition of underwater ARIS (Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar) sonars (with accessories) is needed to remotely monitor and count fish as they exit the fishway at the LD22

Controlled Unclassified Information

FPIP. Sonar uses sound waves to map or locate objects in the surrounding environment by emitting acoustic beams in the water and if the signal “bounces” off an object, the system will record/create images and map objects in the water. The ARIS sonars are unique in that they are multibeam imaging sonars that form many small acoustic beams at once, allowing the sonars to detect objects in turbid waters to record images of moving targets, like swimming fish. No other commercially available sonars are able to match the performance of the ARIS 1800 to constantly detect and record objects in turbid waters. Because the exit of the fish passage way will be turbid, and because the secondary purpose of the project is to count fish using said passageway at all hours of the day, this performance element is critical. The ARIS sonars also have dual frequencies which allows them to detect fish at different distances with clarity. At the higher frequency of 1.8 MHz, the ARIS sonar imaging technology provides detail sufficient for thorough inspection up to 15 meters. At the lower frequency of 1.1 MHz, the ARIS sonar’s clarity makes it an appropriate tool for detecting targets with high resolution up to 35 meters.

ARIS sonars are ideally suited for detecting and inspecting underwater structures and targets.

Because part of the LD22 FPIP’s purpose is for fish counting and data collection, ARIS Sonars’ dual frequency makes them the ideal sonars for this requirement. Sonar detection and recording will be needed for both short and long distances, and the clarity will need to be such that the produced data can be trusted to have accurately counted fish.

The ARIS sonars are able to produce real-time, near video quality images in zero visibility and turbid environments, which is important to track movements and count fish in the Mississippi River. The ARIS sonars have adjustable imaging range scale which allows images to be taken 15-35 meters for the ARIS Explorer 1800, and 35-80 meters for the ARIS Explorer 1200. The ARIS rotator AR2 a 2axis underwater rotator allows for the imaging sonar to provide Pan / Tilt / Roll capabilities remotely. The underwater rotator provides a vertical perspective of the target and supplied with a joystick, allowing the operator to collect imagery during stationary deployment and mobile surveys for real time data collection. The Windows integrated ARIScope software is capable of operating both the imaging sonar and underwater rotator / pan-tilt mechanism via a single cable assembly running topside to surface allowing for movement during remote monitoring. Finally, the ARIS sonars have a low power consumption (15-20 w), allowing for extended unattended and remote operation, which is ideal of the LD22 FPIP, as monitoring will be conducted off-site by USACE biologists, and any other sonars that may be able to operate consistently use significantly more wattage, which would require the construction of more significant electrical wiring for a far greater distance, resulting in a significant increase in costs to the district.

Specific supplies (and quantities) include ARIS Explorer 1200 (2), ARIS Explorer 1200 (2), AR2 Rotator (4), Concentrator Lens (4), Cable with Reek and Transit Case (4).

points around the fishway to observe and count fish. Both medium range (ARIS Explorer 1800) and long range (ARIS Explorer 1200) sonars are needed to ensure complete coverage of the upstream opening of the fishway from the mounting positions available at the site.

These sonars require accessories including rotators, concentrator lenses, and cabling to collect the data needed for the LD22 FPIP. Sound Metrics is the only manufacturer that makes these components for these ARIS units. No other manufacturer makes compatible or interchangeable components. The ARIS sonar requires the ARIS Rotator AR2 to pan/tilt on 2 axes so it can be controlled remotely to view a wide area under the water. A specially designed concentrator lens will be added to these units to count fish in the shallow water at the upstream exit at a range of up to 35 meters. The concentrator lens is made specifically for ARIS sonars by Sound Metrics. No other commercial sonar has such a lens or ability to count fish in turbid, shallow water and no other manufacturer makes lenses that are compatible with ARIS sonars.

The ARIS sonars are controlled using multifunctional ARIScope software that controls the unit and analyzes sonar signals to create near-video quality images.

The ARIS sonars have unique picture quality when compared to other sonar brands, because other brands are not designed to create high quality imagery of fish (minimum of 15 frames per second) and record and deliver data continuously. The ARIS sonars are a highly unique product, with a range resolution down to 3 mm and a dynamic focus. No other brand of sonar can produce this quality of images in turbid water at this resolution. Additionally, the ARIS sonars can operate at dual frequencies of 1.8 MHz and 1.1 MHz (ARIS Explorer 1800), and 1.2 MHz and 0.7 MHz (ARIS Explorer 1200), which allows operators to eliminate double counting errors when the sonar beams from adjacent sonar units overlap. Due to these unique capabilities, the ARIS sonars are the most suitable sonar for biological monitoring the LD22 FPIP. No other available sonar has the combined technologies of the ARIS sonars which enable to the sonar to count fish 24 hours a day. This ability is essential to the monitoring purpose of the project.

The ARIS sonars are unique as it operates with low power consumption (15-20 w) for extended unattended periods of time and allows for remote operation. No other sonar available on the market is designed for continuous recording, and attempting to make them do so would require significant electrical construction to remote areas of the Fish Passage.. Even when the ARIS Rotator AR2 is used, the total the power consumption of the ARIS sonars does not exceed (35 – 40 w).

There are other multibeam sonars on the market, but unlike the ARIS sonars, these are not designed specifically to observe and count fish. The Sonoptix ECHO is used on remotely operated underwater vehicles for reconnaissance. Its wider angle increases the field of view but reduces quality of the image and its ability to count fish. Similarly, the Kongsberg M3 Sonar Multibeam is designed for sea floor mapping up to 4000 meters deep but is not designed to perform the functions required for monitoring the LD22 FPIP.

Due to the unique capabilities of ARIS sonars no other brand manufacturers would be able to meet the needs of this project, even with minor or major modifications, because of the advanced technical features of the sonar and its software. Other sonars can be modified to be used continually, but it is unknown if they would be able to perform at the levels that the ARIS sonars currently perform due to the unique design features and technology that Sound Metrics has designed and only they manufacture. It is in the best interests of the Government to acquire the medium range (ARIS Explorer 1800) and long range (ARIS Explorer 1200) sonars as they are the only known sonar and software system that can fully meet the requirements needed at LD22 FPIP due to the unique features of the fishway and the area that is being monitored.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

8. Market Research:

9. Interested Sources:

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history.

1.

11. 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.

Signature:

Typed Name: Title: Civil Engineer

12. 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.

Signature:

Typed Name: Title: Senior Technical Specialist

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on adequate price competition, therefore certified cost and pricing date will not be required.

Signature:

Typed Name: Title: Contracting Officer

14. Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Typed Name: Title: Contracting Officer

Approval

Typed Name: Title: Contracting Officer