Attachment -Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

v1.6_FEBRUARY2021

BRAND NAME SPECIFICATION

Broadband, Low Noise Hydrophone

PR # 1301050292

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT), Code 15, Underwater Sound Reference Detachment (USRD) is tasked with conducting acoustic calibration to US Navy fleet towed arrays. A multi-million dollar capital investment is required to continue operations at the existing calibration facility (USRD Leesburg). A production ready capability to calibrate towed arrays at the Newport, RI Building 1246 Test Tank Facility provides a path to reduce non-recurring and recurring cost for this service, while also simplifying logistics, providing environmental protection, and improving responsiveness to fleet requirements.

Under an FY23 219WFD internal investment a new technique is being developed to conduct acoustic calibrations in a tank environment. The technique requires many components to complete the new capability. A principal item among these components is a reference hydrophone. The reference hydrophone must receive in-water acoustic signals with wide frequency coverage and low noise and then pass it to a Navy developed signal processing and analysis system. The NUWC development team has used the Teledyne TC4034 and TC4032-2 in past projects. An FY22 internal investment project was used to demonstrate a small scale proof of concept of towed array calibration in a tank environment. Reference hydrophones were borrowed to conduct that demonstration. Additionally, the team developed software tools to acquire and process the data from the hydrophones. A dedicated set (and larger quantity) of hydrophones is one of the objectives for the FY23 219WFD internal investment. Use of the existing software tools will keep the development on track. A n alternative brand hydrophone and subsequent new software tools will require a larger effort in developing the in-tank calibration capability.

The total estimated dollar value of this procurement is $53,005.00.

Hardware/Materials:

Part # Item Description Qty. Unit Cost Total Cost

TC4034-1

Ultra broadband spherical hydrophone,

- 1 Hz-470 kHz

- cable length: 10 meters, $2,815.00 $11,260.00

EC6081 VP2000 Mk2 voltage preamplifier 4 $2,825.00 $11,300.00

TC4032-2

Low noise sea-state zero hydrophone,

- 1 Hz-120 kHz

- cable length: 10 meters, $4,350.00 $17,400.00

TL8144-1 Cable, 10 meter length, for TC4032 4 $1,415.00 $5,660.00

EC6076 EC6076 Active Input module, rechargeable battery 4

$1,790.00 $7,160.00

Shipping 1 $225.00 $225.00

BRAND NAME SPECIFICATION:

The hydrophones listed above have previously been used to conduct in-tank acoustic calibrations while using existing Navy developed software tools. The driving factor in their procurement is having the sensor data stream be compatible with the existing Navy developed processing and data management software. Specific hydrophone signal levels as a function of frequency have a direct impact on the processing outcome. The TC4034-1 and TC4032-2 acoustic response profiles (relating to linear frequency range, receive sensitivity, vertical directivity, horizontal directivity, and impedance) have been incorporated into the Navy developed software.

Transferring to a different manufacturer will result in the creation of new software or at a minimum significant modification of the existing software. This will result in project delays and an associated increase in cost.

Based on the above, the existing infrastructure of the in-tank acoustic system is designed to integrate with the Teledyne product. The Government estimates the associated cost with moving to another model would be as follows as well as a failure of mission critical acceptance testing:

Element Cost Schedule Impact Modification/Replacement of existing infrastructure and Software

$50,000 4 Months

Labor to train new product $10,000 4 Months Service Cost Center Services

$4,500 4 Months

Total Cost $64,500 NA, most of these events can take place concurrently.

It should also be noted that this purchase satisfies the known requirement for at least the next 10 years.

Based on the above, it is not reasonable to conclude the potential savings from competition can offset the duplicative cost and schedule/mission impact associated with purchasing a new brand name product. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the government to solicit this requirement on a brand name only basis.

RESELLERS:

Market research has identified Teledyne authorized resellers of these hydrophones. Authorized reseller or authorized partner status is necessary to ensure that legitimate items are procured.

Requiring Department:

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a Brand Name Specification basis. I certify the technical data which form the basis of this justification are complete and accurate.

Date

APPROVAL:

Contracting Officer:

Based on the above, I have determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only this brand can fulfill the requirements. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

3/20/23

3/20/23