Attachment 2 - Brand Name Justification-Roland.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

April 2021 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 3 printer. Lastly, the HP Latex 115 was considered; it does meet the size and resolution requirements however it only prints using water-based pigment inks which are not suitable for all rigid substrates and require specifically coated materials which poses an issue for long term durability. Due to the required usage for stencils and decals on various airframes, a latex pigment will not withstand the conditions that the airframes fly under.

For the reasons listed above, the Roland LG-540 is the only 54" UV-curable printer that offers the 1200 dpi resolution needed to maintain the decals and stencils necessary IAW Air Force technical regulations and guidance.

This acquisition will replace a failing Roland VersaCamm 300i 30-inch printer/cutter, which is nearing complete failure and severely impacting the ability to meet production demands, especially for large-format items like B-52 aircraft decals. A 54-inch replacement utilizing advanced UV curing ink technology will not only resolve this immediate capacity issue but also significantly improve production speed, color quality, and ink stability, vital in Mojave's harsh environment. The UV curing system also eliminates manual print head cleaning, further reducing downtime and material waste associated with maintenance. The Roland TrueVIS LG-540 is built for long-term service, with a projected operational life of 5 -7 years under standard usage conditions. Its modular design and replaceable components support extended lifecycle sustainment.

This printer is a mission-critical asset used to produce high-resolution, durable decals required for aircraft identification, safety markings, and mission-specific insignia. Its integrated print-and-cut capabilities ensure precision, speed, and consistency across a wide range of substrates, including those used on aircraft exteriors and interiors. Without access to the LG-540, units may experience the following:

1. Operational Delays: Aircraft awaiting updated or replacement decals may be grounded or delayed, impacting sortie generation and mission readiness.

2. Degraded Quality and Durability: Alternative printing methods may not meet the environmental durability standards required for aviation use, leading to premature wear, fading, or detachment of decals.

3. Regulatory Non-Compliance: Aircraft markings are subject to strict DoD, FAA, and NATO standards such as AFI 21-105AFMCSUPS. Inaccurate or missing decals could result in inspection failures or safety violations.

4. Increased Labor and Cost: Manual workflows or use of legacy equipment may require additional personnel hours, retraining, and increased material waste, driving up sustainment costs.

The Roland LG-540 UV Printer/Cutter is a mission-essential asset required for the production of aircraft decals. In addition, the printer must operate with two different softwares; SAI Flexi will cover the Decals Aspect of printing, and Gerber Omega will cover the Stencil Production. Immediate access to this printer, along with a sustained supply of compatible consumables such as ECO-UV ink, cutting blades, and maintenance kits, is critical to maintaining aircraft readiness and compliance. The LG-540 enables the creation of high-resolution, durable decals that meet stringent DoD, FAA, and NATO standards for identification, safety, and operational markings. These decals must withstand harsh environmental conditions including UV exposure, fuel, hydraulic fluids, and abrasion, while maintaining precise color fidelity and adhesion. Without this capability, aircraft may be delayed or grounded due to missing or non-compliant markings, leading to regulatory violations and failed inspections.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Following market research, it was determined that there are multiple small business vendors with the potential to satisfy the Brand Name mission requirements. As a result, this will be proceeding as a Total Small Business Set Aside open to all small business sources with the ability to meet the Roland brand name requirements.

Several other manufacturers were considered and compared for operability, size and resolution requirements that can meet the intent of TO 1-1-8 and DAFMAN 21-105 AFMC Sup. Research showed that there were no other printers on the market that could