A16_J_A_HIF-LaseSoleSource_20240703_Approved_Redacted_2_1.pdf

Sole Source Justification and Approval for Acquisition Under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold FAR 13.501(a) for Upgrading a Laser Doppler / Phase Doppler Anemometer (LDA/PDA) with Time-

Resolved (TR) – Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Reston Acquisitions Branch, Reston, VA, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.501 (a).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. The requested procurement is for a single award of a new firm fixed price contract to Dantec Dynamics. The estimated delivery time is 3 months or less and is a single equipment award with no options.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) requests an award of non-competitive procurement to Dantec Dynamics for the purchase of maintenance replacements and enhancement upgrades to an existing 2D LDA/PDA system purchased approximately 15 years ago for the USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory in Golden, CO. The enhancements will provide 3D measurement and PIV capabilities.

The equipment will be shipped directly to the USGS HIF, 27 Kirkbride Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. It will be used in support of the HIF’s main function as the USGS’s calibration laboratory for water measurement instruments belonging to the Water Science Centers.

The enhanced equipment can then be used to collect high frequency/ high resolution water velocity measurements both at a point and within a small sampling volume around the instruments. The measurement data are both spatially dense and time-constrained.

The collected data will be used by the USGS, usually in cooperation with Federal, state, and local water resource experts, to gain a greater understanding of the water flow characteristics for supporting water quantity/quality management decisions related to drinking water sources, recreational uses, and ecosystem health.

The maintenance replacements and upgrades for the LDA/PDA system are 100% compatible with the existing Dantec Dynamics system. This request specifically includes the following components (italicized numbers in parentheses denotes quantity):

System Maintenance Replacements.

‐ Interference filter for 532 nm wavelength (1).

‐ Interference filter for 561 nm wavelength (3).

‐ FiberFlow Laser Transmitter 1st component, 532 nm 300 mW for 1D, 2D and 3D systems (1) with fiber manipulators (2).

‐ FiberFlow Laser Transmitter 1st component, 561 nm 300 mW for 1D, 2D and 3D systems (1) with fiber manipulators (2).

‐ BSA Flow Software SUA reinstatement after 4 years (1).

System Upgrades: Going from 2D to 3D Capabilities.

‐ Upgrade of a 5-beam probe to a 6-beam for 3D FiberFlow at 532/546/660 nm; upgrade includes adding an extra fiber, transmitter plug, and splitter (1).

‐ Modification of the 3-Color Separator for 532/561/660 nm wavelengths (1).

‐ Interference filter for 660 nm wavelength (1).

‐ FiberFlow Laser Transmitter 1st component, 660 nm 300 mW for 1D, 2D and 3D systems (1) with fiber manipulators (2).

System Upgrades: 2D/3D Time-Resolved PIV System 100-kHz Upgradeable to TomoPIV.

‐ 10-Watt DPSS YAG Continuous Laser (1).

‐ Light Sheet Base Module for Lasers and Light Guide Arms (1).

‐ Entrance Module P7.4 mm (1).

‐ Angle Module 2 (2).

‐ Angle Module 4 (2).

‐ Variable Focus Module to focus the laser light sheet from 200 mm to 4000 mm (1).

‐ 90-degree mirror unit (1).

‐ FlowSense BCX 5M-250 cameras with 2448x2048 pixel resolution, 12 bit, 250 fps, CoaXPress 12 interface, 5m cables and C-mount front (2).

‐ CoaXpress12 4-channel Frame Grabber for FlowSense FCX Series (1).

‐ Zeiss Milvus 50 mm f2.0 Macro Lens, F-mount with 67-mm thread and adapter for 62-mm filter (2).

‐ High Performance Filter for 527 nm and 532 nm with 90% transmission efficiency up to 20 deg angle of incidence (2).

‐ 1-Axis Scheimpflug mount for FlowSense BCX 5M – 250 for FlowSense BCX, Nikon F-mount lenses (2).

‐ Mounting Bench, 1000 mm, for LDA and PDA Probes (1).

‐ Two Level, Double-Sided 3D Target, 270mm X 190mm (1).

‐ Two level, Double-sided 3D target. No traverse needed. 270 X 190 mm (1).

‐ Performance Synchronizer with time resolution < 8 ns, minimum pulse width < 48 ns, and 32 Sync outputs, 4 Sync inputs, 4 analog outputs, 2 analog inputs, safety circuit, USB, and Ethernet (1).

‐ DynamicStudio Base network-based imaging software platform package (1).

‐ 2D PIV Add-on for DynamicStudio (1).

‐ Stereoscopic PIV add-on for DynamicStudio (1).

‐ Traverse Option for DynamicStudio (1).

‐ High Performance Imaging PC for a 2-cam imaging system (1).

‐ Laser Protective Eyewear for 532/561nm (4).

‐ Laser Alignment Eyewear for 532/561nm (2).

‐ Shipping and Handling (1).

‐ Installation and Training on-site 4-Days (1).

4. Estimated Dollar Value. The estimated value of this procurement is

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis in accordance with FAR

13.501 (a): “Sole Source” Requirements.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. A 2-Dimensional LDA/PDA system was purchased for the USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory approximately 15 years ago.

The components of the current LDA/PDA system include two laser transmitters, a beam splitter, transmitting/receiving optics, a photo detector, a signal processor, and a data analysis computer. The system continues to function adequately despite its age. The first aspect of this purchase is for maintenance replacement parts. Aside from the data analysis computer, which has already been replaced recently, the system components are original. Maintenance replacements will be provided for the two laser transmitters, along with their associated fiber manipulators and interference filters. The system software will also be updated. These system maintenance replacements will cost . Since a new 2D system can cost in excess of

, it is more cost-effective to maintain the existing system.

Building upon this base system, Dantec Dynamics will provide upgrades, along with a third laser transmitter and accessories, thereby enhancing the measurement capabilities of the system. The third laser will allow for measurements in the x-, y-, and z-flow directions, which are needed to compute turbulence values, the degree of flow field disturbance around sensors, and flow intake velocities for isokinetic sediment/ water quality samplers. The PDA computes the velocity components in a plane around the sensor. The requested upgrades are confirmed to be 100% compatible with the existing system.

In addition, Dantec Dynamics will provide further upgrades that will allow the system to perform 2D/3D Time- Resolved PIV. These new PIV capabilities will collect flow velocities in a plane around a sensor or structure, compared to the point measurements of the existing LDA. By purchasing the PIV components from Dantec, we are able to leverage aspects of the existing LDA/ PDA system. This includes the traverse that would be used to position the laser and cameras. In addition, the protocol and equipment used to calibrate the system, which often are developed external to the system (by the customer). Using the Dantec system would eliminate the need for designing, purchasing, and constructing a new calibration system.

The same applies for the post processing routines of the collected data. As expected, the data files are quite large and complex, requiring external development of special batch algorithms that read the data in and provide velocity data out. The continual use of the Dantec systems will allow us to use the already developed protocols.

Moreover, it will guarantee continuity of results allowing for the direct comparison between previously collected data and data to be collected in the future, on an apples-to-apples basis.

Replacement of a 15-year-old system in full is not required as it will be fully functional with this upgrade. No other manufacturer can offer the equipment that meets both the scientific data continuity requirements and offer to reuse parts from our old unit.

7. Other Information N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted. Since the premise of this sole-source purchase involves capitalizing on already-owned instrumentation to maintain compatibility and continuity of data, the market research focused on finding either resellers of Dantec products or interchangeable parts. Dantec neither has released their drawings and specifications to other companies that could provide repair services for Dantec products, nor do they authorize any independent repair facilities to service on their products.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. To promote competition, HIF continually tests new devices as they become available on the market. HIF routinely attends trade shows, meetings, and conferences where vendors are present. HIF also attends local Business and Procurement Expositions in order to make vendors aware of USGS needs and business opportunities. HIF encourages vendors to develop and submit products that meet

USGS requirements. In addition, HIF promotes visits from vendors to demonstrate and provide information about their products.

10. Recommendation Program Office. Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify that the above statements are true and correct.

Acting Chief, HIF Date

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer

a. The contracting officer has included a determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable with a comparison of previous awards made for similar or same item and market prices.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date

12. Concurrence by Competition Advocate > $25,000

Bureau Competition Advocate Date

13. Concurrence by Branch Chief >SAT

Chief OAG Reston

All signatures have been obtained.