B08 JA DPS4D Sounder Kit Redacted.pdf

Control No: JA-21-Toby-025 Contractor: Lowell Digisonde International, LLC

Program/Equipment: Quad Receiver Digital Portable Sounder Kit, Part Number: DPS4D656L-1H.

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FAR Subpart 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items – Sole Source Justification and Approval

1. Contracting Activity: Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Tobyhanna Division

ATTN: CCAP-CCT

11 Hap Arnold Boulevard Tobyhanna, PA 18466-5100

2. Description of Action: TYAD requests a firm-fixed-price (FFP), indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with Lowell Digisonde International, LLC (LDI, LLC).

The Government projects award in January 2021. Army Working Capital Funds will be used.

An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

Quad Receiver Digital Portable Sounder Kit, Part Number: DPS4D656L-1H.

The DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit includes the following items:

Qty (1) - Quad Receiver Digisonde Portable Sounder (DPS4D) for vertical and bi-static oblique sounding Qty (1) GPS Receiver Qty (1) Lightning Suppressor for receive antennas and transmit antennas Qty (1) DPS4D Manual Qty (4) Weatherproof Receiving Turnstile Loop Antennas Qty (4) Polarization Switches/Preamplifiers Qty (1) Dual Delta Turnstile Transmit Antenna o must withstand 140 mph wind load (no ice) or 130 mph wind load with 0.5 inch radial ice on mast and 0.25 inch radial ice on wires that are diameter of 0.31 inches or less

Qty (1) Set of Critical Spares to include:

o DPS4D Tracker Card, Receiver Card, Transmitter Card, Pre-

Processor Card, BIT Card and Power Card o DPS4D Antenna Switch Assembly o DPS4D Data Computer CPU Fan o DPS4D Data Computer Backplane with voltage regulators o Resistor Set o DPS4D Preamp/Polariz Box o Fan Axial, 92mm and 60mm o Air Filter o 8 Amp Fuse

Program/Equipment: Quad Receiver Digital Portable Sounder Kit, Part Number: DPS4D656L-1H.

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

The DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit is a vertical incidence sounding system used to obtain information about the ionosphere directly overhead the location of which it is deployed.

The DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit is able to provide real-time ionospheric electron density profiles utilizing ionograms, vertical ionospheric total electron content and other legacy real time ionospheric characteristics. The system provides real-time International Reference Ionosphere profile shape parameters for three dimensional modeling of the ionosphere. Once the data is gathered, the system is able to provide real-time evaluation of plasma drift velocity. TYAD will be working with the USSF in the rapid deployment and installation of the DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit in verified locations around the world.

This requirement is for a FFP, IDIQ contract with a five-year ordering period for a minimum guarantee of one (1) each and maximum of six (6) each DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kits. There are no options. Delivery requirements will be established with each individual order. All orders will be firm-fixed-price.

The total estimated price for six kits is

4. Authority Cited: Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, 41 U.S.C. 1901 (or 41 U.S.C. 1903 for Special Emergency Procurement) as implemented by FAR Subpart 13.5:

Other: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a) LDI, LLC has led the scientific community in developing and improving ionosonde technology since 1969. LDI, LLC’s DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit is the only available ionosonde system that measures all parameters of the ionospherically reflected high frequency radio signals and automatically calculates the local ionospheric electron density profile in real time. LDI, LLC’s Sounder Kit houses a two-channel transmitter, power amplifiers, half-octave filters, signal synthesizers, receivers, and digital signal processors. LDI, LLC obtained the following patents: US4030033A “Method and Apparatus for Transmitting Messages To and From Remote Locations” and US6850552B2 “Iterative Precision Spectrum Analysis”. These patents specifically cover the DPS4D656l-1H Sounder Kit.

The DPS4D656L-1H is the only Sounder Kit that currently meets the stringent requirements laid forth by the Air Force 557th Weather Wing in conjunction with the Air Combat Command’s 24/7 Global Mission Support Cell (GMSC) and other DoD end item users in the field. These requirements include signal transmission, signal receipt, signal processing, packaging data into a proven format for the end user and allowing for remote access to the on board computer capable of connecting to a Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). The Sounder Kit must be able to be installed within a two acre plot of land connecting to 120 VAC, 60Hz power. The transmission

Program/Equipment: Quad Receiver Digital Portable Sounder Kit, Part Number: DPS4D656L-1H.

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY worldwide. LDI, LLC is the lead scientist in this specific field; any alternative sources would require the TDP in an attempt to recreate a DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The Contracting Officer will publish the notices required by FAR 5.201 and any quotes or proposals received shall be considered. The Contract Specialist posted a Sources Sought Announcement (SSA) W25G1V-21-R-0013 to https://beta.SAM.gov on 13 October 2020 for 10 days. No responses were received.

The Contract Specialist also posted a pre-solicitation notice to https://beta.SAM.gov on 30 November 2020 for 10 days. To date, only LDI, LLC stated that it can satisfy the requirement. No other sources expressed interest.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Every effort was made to increase competition for this action. TYAD’s D/Production Engineering technical experts will continue to monitor the market place to identify other potential sources for the required equipment.

8. Market Research: Market Research was conducted in accordance with FAR 10.002 from October 2018 through November 2020 by TYAD D/Production Engineering technical experts and PM IGS. Market research on the DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit and supporting hardware was conducted through conversations with colleagues, experts, and vendors on these types of systems. TYAD performed market research by utilizing internet tools, web searches and meeting with knowledgeable Government and industry personnel. Emails and telephone calls were used to reach out to knowledgeable technical experts familiar with the ionospheric sounding industry.

Market research identified one potential source, Astra Lite, Inc., 282 Century PL STE 1000, Louisville, CO 80027, which was evaluated by the PM IGS. Astra Lite, Inc. has produced a Quad Receiver Digital Portable Sounder Kit. However, PM IGS has not yet validated this Sounder Kit as a usable source. Most of the components are new and untested in environments that the Sounder Kit is placed. Astra Lite, Inc.’s Sounder Kit is currently at a technology readiness level that PM IGS is not comfortable deploying. PM IGS will continue to monitor Astra Lite, Inc.’s Sounder Kit until it is proven through actual successful mission operations. Currently, there is no timeframe established for completion.

On 13 October 2020, the Contract Specialist posted a SSA to https://beta.SAM.gov for a period of 10 days with the intent to sole source the DPS4D656L-1H Sounder Kit. The SSA instructed interested offerors to contact the Government and submit a capability statement. To date, no responses have been received.

On 30 November 2020, the Contract Specialist posted a pre-solicitation notice to https://beta.SAM.gov for a period of 10 days, stating the Government intends to negotiate and award a contract on a sole source basis to LDI, LLC. Only LDI, LCC responded to the pre-solicitation notice. A competitive procurement strategy is not feasible because market research did not yield any additional potential sources that can meet the Government’s requirement.