B03_Non_Comp_Justify_Redacted.pdf

This is a Memorandum to the File documenting the justification for using other than full and open competition for a federal acquisition under the simplified acquisition threshold.

The acquisition is for National Instruments NI-9205 data acquisition cards required by NSWC Crane's laboratory battery test stations. The vendor is National Instruments, located at 11500 N Mopac Expy, Austin, TX 78759, with CAGE code 64667. The justification is based on the Brand Name exception, as National Instruments is the required and proprietary data acquisition device for the laboratory. The acquisition falls under the simplified acquisition threshold with a total dollar value that is redacted in the document.

The requirement involves replacing three failed NI-9205 cards needed as soon as possible by July 2026. National Instruments equipment is the sole compatible solution because the laboratory has customized LabView software that only runs on National Instruments cRIO devices and communicates exclusively with National Instruments data acquisition systems. The memorandum details that if competition were opened to other vendors, the Government would be forced to replace all 43 existing battery test stations and develop new universal test procedures and software at substantial cost. The contracting officer approved the single-source solicitation on 03/18/2026 based on the brand-name justification and the mission-critical nature of maintaining compatibility with existing laboratory systems and software infrastructure.