Attachment 2 - Bassoon - SSJ.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

November 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 1 of 4

Section A: General Contract Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: 21 CONS/PKB

Project/Program Name: USAFA Band - Instrument Purchase - Contraforte Bassoon

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: TBD

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The Air Force Band at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is in need of a Contra Bass wind instrument for it's bassoon members to perform with in a variety of Air Force musical ensembles.

The ContraForte is built to order by Guntram Wolf with seasoned sycamore maple body, connectors with conical clamping and O-ring, wear free bearing system, stainless steel axles and spring and customized with keys, rollers, flageolet cables, and condensation tubes, peg, stand, and sturdy cases.

Gutrum Wolf Contraforte Bassoon is a professional level instrument with 4 octave range (A1-G5), push rods for easy key action without friction, half-hole mechanism for a clean, noise-free octave jumps for F# and G3, automatic octave keys from Ab3 to F4, wide bore design, enlarged tone holes, redesigned acoustical concept with a precisely shaped bore taper for exact intonation.

The ContraForte Bassoon must meet the following characteristics, as well as those stated in performance requirements:

- Must have a four (4) octave range (A1 - G5)

- Must have low-friction push rods and pivot screws in synthetic sleeves for silent key action

- Must have half-hole mechanisms for F-sharp3 and G3

- Must have automatic venting keys from A-flat3 - F4

- Must have wide bore design

- Must have enlarged tone holes

- Must have redesigned acoustical concept with precisely shaped bore taped for exact intonation

- 3rd Harmonic Key

- Additional rear A-flat key for right thumb

- Additional alternate E-flat buttons for right index finger and right thumb

- Additional E/F-sharp trill key

- Hardcase with wheels

- Game Stand

- Standing Peg

- Left hand front, half-hole key, E/F# trill key, rollers on left second and third finger keys and little finger low Eb key, Sub-contra A key, Automatic first and second octave key, right front hand Bb key, Left thumb: Low D-C-B-B flat key, c# key, octave key (first octave and second octave automatic switching), flageolet 1 and flageolet 2 key with additional c# double roller button. The Contra Forte is custom made and the producer works with the buyer to ensure the instrument being built meets their needs. The following are also required:

- Right hand in front: alternative Eb thumb, Front Bb key

- Right little finger: F key with roller, A flat key with roller and front F sharp key with large double rollers

- Right thumb: 3rd flageolet pusher, bb pusher with roller, E pusher, back F# pusher with roller, back Ab pusher

- Adjustment screws for low D-C-B-Bb pushers

- Flap transmissions by new play-free, ball-bearing, adjustable ball-head push rods

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- Automatic condensation drainage and additional conventional water valve

- Stable, infinitely adjustable spike with a rubber end ball, which ensures a secure footing at all times

- High-gloss silver-plated keys

- Tecon Covercraft “Lightcase” case with transport wheels

- "Hardcase” case with wheels

- Brass (M10) S-bocal (#2 length)

- Adapter sleeve for normal contrabassoon reeds

- Contra-forte tube with tube box

- Silver cleaning cloth

- Replacement felt set for automatic condensate drainage

- Fingering chart

- 3rd harmonic key

- Brilliant gloss finish (dark red-brown tone)

- Extension spike (for playing while standing)

The manufacturer does provide a two (2) year warranty with the purchase of the Bassoon, and offers the ability to purchase two (2) additional years of warranty for a total of four (4) years rather than the standard two (2) years. After speaking with the vendor, a Bassoon specialist, it was explained that the instrument is the most volatile in the first two years of its life. The warranty is to cover the volatility of the instrument in the first couple of years of its use. After the first several years of use, the instrument, with regular maintenance and care by the player, can last a minimum of 20 years. It is not standard industry practice to offer more than four (4) years of warranty for a Bassoon because the volatility period of the instrument is over by then. The instrument health after warranty period is dependent upon how well the player takes care of their instrument. The two (2) year warranty that comes with the Bassoon will be detailed in the quote as will the Option for two (2) additional years of warranty coverage and the quote with this information will be added into the contract.

CLIN Structure:

0001 - Delivery of Bassoon

1001 - OPTION: Additional 2 Years of Warranty Coverage Beyond Initial Manufacturer Warranty

This item is being procured using O&M 3400 funding

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

It is important for the the instrument to be customized to fit the member/player. If the Bassoon is not a good fit for the player ergonomically, it will lead to performance-related injuries such as tendinitis, carpel tunnel, etc. In addition, if the sound quality and intonation of the Bassoon does not meet the standards of the player, there would be an increased level of difficulty for the player and other members to blend and maintain the highest performance level. This will cause a strain for both the player and other band members to try and compensate for any issues caused by the instrument. The USAFA band holds status as one of the Air Force's two premier bands which requires that they strive for the highest possible level of sound quality.

The Contra Forte (which is only manufactured by Guntram Wolf) is a completely new type of contra-bass wind instrument with new technology that resolves all of the acoustical problems with its older outdated Contra bassoon "cousin" and enables the musician to perform their role with more physical ease, consistency, and efficacy than with the Contrabassoon.

The more widely available Contrabassoons manufactured by Heckel, Fox, Schreiber, and Mollenhauer companies are based on inferior 19th century designs that negatively impact the quality of the musical product they provide as well as severely limiting their efficacy and reliability in Air Force concert settings. This outdated instrument often fails to provide the minimum musical

November 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 4 qualities to enable Premier Bandsmen to consistency perform their musical mission with excellence.

Some benefits of the Contra Forte that set it apart from the common contrabassoon includes:

1.) A computer-designed bore that provides the volume (decibel range) needed to perform outdoors and in large venues.

2.) A redesigned bore taper that enables exact intonation and pitch stability superior to the contrabassoon which provides the consistency that is required to represent the Air Force at the highest professional level.

3.) A reconfigured body design that enables improved sound projection (radiation) to the audience. This is especially necessary when performing with ensembles in large concert venues during the band's recruiting and community relations tours.

4.) Redesigned ergonomic key work that reduces over use injuries and removes technique barriers, while enabling the performer to achieve higher levels of technical proficiency.

The United States Air Force Academy Band requires professional level instruments to do their jobs at a professional level.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

A sources sought was posted on GSA.gov and SAM.gov with salient characteristics to gauge vendor capability of other manufacturers being able to meet the needs of the requirement. No responses were received via GSA.gov and one was received via SAM.gov. Midwest Musical Imports was the only vendor who responded to the sources sought showing ability to meet the needs of the requirement. A second sources sought was posted on SAM.gov and GSA to gauge vendor capability of customizing a bassoon to meet the salient characteristics required. No responses were received.

The USAFA Band tested four (4) different models, of Contra Bassoons along with the ContraForte encompassing five (5) different brands while at the "MusikMesse" musical instrument makers convention. The following is a summarized list of the instruments tested and the associated outcomes:

1. Heckel Contra Bassoon - Requires additional maintenance to make the scale even and tuning accurate. The range, volume, ease of playing did not compare to the Contra Forte. It also does not perform well in outdoor weather.

2. Schreiber Contra Bassoon - Lacks dynamic range, presence of sound, consistent tuning across octaves, lacks a compelling tone quality, and accuracy in technical passage suffers.

3. Mollenhauer Contra Bassoon - Sounded muffled and thick. Unable to be effective in a flexible Air Force band performance context, lacked flexibility in quality of sound.

4. Fox Contra Bassoon - Lacks control in the upper register. The range, volume and ease of playing as well as the quality of sound did not compare to Contra Forte.

Market Research has confirmed conclusively that the Contra Forte is patented and produced by Guntram Wolf who is solely manufactured and produced by Midwest Musical Imports.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

The USAFA Band routinely does market research on instruments that will meet their needs and tests the various brands and models at conventions such as the "MusikMesse" musical instrument makers convention. Commercial Solutions Opportunity will be considered for the next band instrument requirement because it provides the opportunity for a streamlined process for the

November 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 4 of 4 band and Contracting. The next music convention is scheduled for July 2025 and the USAFA Band will be in attendance testing instruments. If they invite a Contracting Officer to attend with them, the CO would be able to make an award on site because there would be market research being actively conducted in a competitive environment. However, at this time, it is not feasible to decrease the barriers to competition because the instrument is custom built to the player playing it.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer Signature of Contracting Officer