A17_JA_Drone_Amplified_JA_Final_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901

Solicitation: 140D0423Q0283

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification.”

This document is a sole source justification for the Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, Division II, Branch III, in support of the Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Fleet.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a new requirement for the establishment of a sole source Blanket Purchase Agreement with Drone Amplified, Inc. to fully integrate purchased Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) with the Drone Amplified Ignis plastic sphere dispenser (psd) payloads and gimbaled electro-optical(EO)/infrared sensors (IR) cameras all controlled by a proprietary application, and other integrations of direct and separately purchased UASs and other equipment needed for DOI operations (batteries, chargers, future Ground Control Stations, tablets, controllers, etc.).

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

The supplies to be furnished include fully integrate a purchased Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) with the Drone Amplified Ignis psd payloads and gimbaled EO/IR cameras all controlled by a proprietary application and other integrations of direct and separately purchased UASs. The Government reserves the right to bilaterally modify the agreement at a later date to include other items that DOI commonly uses, any future versions of the Alta X or other UASs, and other equipment needed for DOI operations (batteries, chargers, future Ground Control Stations, tablets, controllers, etc.).

The estimated total ordering value is $5,000,000.00 for a three (3) year ordering period.

Delivery of item(s) is expected to be annotated per call.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition.

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

All components utilized in this integration comply with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020.

The Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) drone complies with the Executive Order (EO) 13981., dated January 22, 2021, which prevents the procurement of ‘covered’ UAS. OAS Information Bulletin (IB) – No. 22-1 approves the continued procurement of “cleared” Blue Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) is delivered without a data transmission device, camera nor gimbal. Furthermore, the radio that the UAS is equipped with only performs command and control functions and cannot perform video. In order to meet OAS missions, it is essential that the Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) be integrated with the necessary equipment.

The Ignis psd is proprietary to Drone Amplified. It is a complete fire control system that embeds to drones for aerial ignition for backburns and prescribed fires. It carries a payload of ping-pong size chemical spheres that are deployed remotely with precise location. Aerial ignition is a vital tool in aggressively reducing fuels and fighting wildfire and allows for the access of remote areas with difficult terrain that is inaccessible from the ground.

Additionally, aerial ignition requires low-level flight, making it a hazardous mission with the use of helicopters. The use of the Ignis psd reduces the potential loss to life and makes it easier to safely complete the low-level flight as it is attached to a drone.

DOI has the responsibility to manage and protect the America’s natural resources; land, water, wildlife, and energy. The missions to fulfil this responsibility can be hazardous to government personnel, must be performed on a continuous basis, and conducted with minimal impact on vegetation, wildlife, and visitors using our national lands.

The DOI purchased 20 Ignis Version 1 payloads in 2018, contract number 140D8118P0028, outfitted on DJI Matrice 600 UASs. The DJI Matrice 600 UASs are coming up on end of life and are no longer supported by the vendor nor in compliance with DOI Secretary’s Order 3379. The Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) is replacing the DJI Matrice 600, which requires integration and replacement of previous Ignis payloads.

The fully integrated Alta X (Blue Kit) Ignis system and customization as well as other UASs, will positively impact every resource program by utilizing state of the art equipment. UAS derived data and imagery empowers scientists, incident personnel, and senior leaders to make informed decisions based on precise and real-time information. Data gathered along with tactical psd fire mission from the integrated Alta X (Blue Kit) is unique due to the ability of the aircraft to fly low, slow, night, inversions and for long periods of time mitigating the high risk crewed missions.

No other systems are currently established to meet the same or similar requirements of the Ignis. The application is vital for the ability to control all aspects under one application for standardization for both resource use of project and fire missions. The standardization saves the government time and resources to be able to train individuals on a single platform.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A notice will be publicized to the Government Point of Entry, SAM.gov for this action in accordance with FAR 5.202.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases and comparison to current price lists.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by reaching out to the following business vendor:

Drone Amplified, Inc.

1811 S Pershing Rd Lincoln, NE 68502

OAS reviewed other companies such as Inspired Flight and Raindance Systems. At this time, no other systems exist to provide the necessary customization needed for aerial ignition and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

Purchase order 140D0422P0192 was awarded on August 26, 2022 to Drone Amplified, Inc.

for the integration of one (1) Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit). A synopsis and redacted Justification and Approval was posted to SAM.gov on August 16, 2022 with an expiration of posting on August 24, 2022. No responses were received from any interested vendors for this procurement.

A BPA was awarded to Freefly Systems on February 24, 2023 for the purchase of Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) under award 140D0423A0045. This BPA is for the purchase of Freefly UASs only and does not include any requirement for integration. Freefly Systems has stated that Drone Amplified will be a reseller of Freefly System UASs in the future. As a result, it is the Government’s intent is to purchase the UAS, additional components and integration from Drone Amplified.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The Government will continue to evaluate to see if Drone Amplified authorizes resellers of their proprietary items. Additionally, the Government will continue to review other systems that are developed that may meet OAS’s requirements and use for the established OAS UAS fleet

12. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

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

Xanthe Otterstedt, Contracting Officer

13. Requirements personnel certification.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government’s minimum needs.

Steve Ramaekers, OAS UAS Fleet Manager

14. Reviews and Approvals

Concur

Mandy Ashmore, Branch Chief

XANTHE

OTTERSTEDT

Digitally signed by XANTHE

OTTERSTEDT

Date: 2023.03.16 14:41:04 -04'00'

Steven Ramaekers Digitally signed by Steven Ramaekers Date: 2023.03.16 15:39:23 -06'00'

Mandy M. Ashmore Digitally signed by MANDY

ASHMORE

Date: 2023.03.17 06:45:01 -05'00'

Concur

Rebecca Fentzke, Division Chief

Approve

Michael Farrell, Bureau Competition Advocate

MICHAEL FARRELL

Digitally signed by MICHAEL

FARRELL

Date: 2023.03.20 12:14:21 -04'00'

REBECCA

FENTZKE

Digitally signed by REBECCA

FENTZKE

Date: 2023.03.17 09:34:54 -06'00'