BNJ REDACTED.docx

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS

From:

To: Code 02 Acquisition Branch Subj: BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES, ESTIMATED VALUE, AND DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

NSWCCD is seeking to award a SAP purchase order on a brand name basis, to the Fabrication and Technical Support Division, for the acquisition of a Nexa NXE 400 3D printer and associated components. This is in support of procuring an additional printer to provide the needed redundancy for the Division's current 3D printer capability and providing current, advanced technology.

The total estimated value of this acquisition is approximately $ .

The OEM is: Nexa 3D Inc, 1923 Eastman Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003. The OEM's sole distributor is NCS Technologies, Inc. 7669 Limestone Dr. Gainesville, VA 20155.

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SOLE SOURCE BASED ON CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION

Currently, the Division possesses one SLA printer capable of producing any 3D printing requirements for the various NAVSEA projects assigned to the Division. This printer has been in place for more than 20 years and features older technology. Additionally, the process using this equipment is extremely time-consuming and, in many cases, renders a prototype that does not feature the stringent specifications and durability demanded by the requirements associated with current projects. As a result, it is critical that a new machine be procured that is capable of providing 3D products that will enhance the Division's ability to meet current project requirements.

Acquiring the Nexa3D NXE-400 printer will ensure that the Division is able to provide better quality prototypes to customers that can be produced faster and at lower costs. Using this printer's advanced technology and capabilities, the Division will be able to produce prototypes that can be made of stronger, more functional high performance materials, which can withstand harsh environmental and higher temperature requirements of the various NAVSEA projects.

Additionally, this system's design capabilities will allow the Division to create products that would be difficult, or even impossible, to produce using the currently-owned SLA system.

Additionally, the Nexa3D NXE-400 utilizes proprietary Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing (LSPc) Technology and patented structured light matrix capable of reaching top speed of 1 cm per minute, drastically reducing 3D printing cycles of precision functional parts from hours to minutes. The print process starts with a uniform light source. The Nexa 3D proprietary UV light array - LSPc Optical layer combination ensures Light uniformity, the key for the optimal utilization of our LCPc High Contrast Mask. The LSPc HC Mask is responsible for projecting the 3D slices to the vat where the photopolymerization process is happening layer by layer.

Different from OLP where edge to edge perfonnance is a compromised due to optical distortions NEXA3D's LSPc HC Mask delivers unifonn, distortion free image to all areas of the build plate ensuring part to part unifonnity and accuracy. The last step in the process is the LSPc membrane. This proprietary membrane is self-lubricated. The self-lubrication creates a no-stick zone between the printed part and the vat enabling our market leading print speeds. The LSPc membrane also propagates resin replenishment ensuring the delivery of resin to every area of the print platfonn regardless of whether the printed part is a mesh or a solid object.

Based upon this, the procurement of the NXE 400 will ensure that the Division will be capable of producing products more efficiently; made of stronger, more durable materials; better designed; and at much faster production rates. And the faster production speeds provided by this system will allow the Division to meet, and often reduce, required NAVSEA project timelines.

Therefore, based upon the above discussion, the extensive research done, and in accordance with FAR 13.106-l(b)(l)(i) the Nexa NXE 400 3D printer was determined to be the only viable option to meet the Government's needs.

3. MARKET SURVEY

Based upon the discussion above, Code 621 has performed extensive market research to determine contractors capable of performing the work. The results of this research support this brand name justification.

4. ADDITIONAL FACTS

NIA

5. CUSTOMER SIGNATURE

I certify that the statements and information provided above, are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the processing of this sole source justification precludes the use of full and open competition.