Brand-Name JA Profihubs_20250430(1)_Redacted.pdf

J&A No. 0233-25-220-00 months from the date of the award. The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), sole source (including brand-name) acquisition under the authority of Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The Anybus brand is the only responsible brand, and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirements based on unique characteristics that are essential to the Government. The procurement of Anybus branded Profihub hardware is necessary in support of the MCS Tech Refresh. This equipment must be procured on a brand-name basis from an authorized AnyBus reseller in order to provide critical communications between the field sensors and the control system found both in the lab environment and shipboard. The LHD/A MCS Tech Refresh is transitioning from a Versa Module Europa (VME) chassis design to a VME Peripheral Component Interconnect (VPX) chassis design. Historically, the Profibus functionality, that the AnyBus brand-name Profihub will be providing, was provided by VME compatible I/O Cards.

Through the modernization of both the Chassis and the I/O Cards, this functionality was removed from the I/O Cards and replaced with the standalone Profihub. This transition from VME to VPX requires a Profihub to act as the main Profibus communication arrangement allowing the DAU to communicate with other MCS systems as well as a repeater to connect multiple Profibus channels creating an internal communication network. The AnyBus Profihub hardware listed above is essential to fulfilling this requirement.

The specifications are unique to the AnyBus brand-name Profihub hardware. Specifications that are critical to the LHD/A MCS Tech Refresh include the dimensions, built in termination resistors, five (5) channel connection points, Bus-in and Bus-out connectors and integrated connections for diagnostics. The dimensions of the AnyBus Profihub are critical to the LHD/A MCS Tech Refresh due to the Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) and Gas Turbine Workstation (GTWS) enclosures now include sliding rack trays that have been designed to support very specific 113mm x 35mm x 167mm (WxHxD) dimensions that no other brand has been found to satisfy. These trays are designed to allow the Profihubs to be more easily accessible, simplifying the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and replacement processes. The built-in termination resistors allow the end user to remove power from the Profihub without requiring the entire enclosure to be powered off. The five (5) channel connection points allow for isolated segmentation of communication channels while the Bus-in and Bus-out connectors allow for multiple Profihubs to be daisy chained together. The integrated connection for diagnostics is critical for troubleshooting and resolving issues shipboard and in the lab.

Through market research, other brands’ equipment, namely the Bartec 07-7311-97WP Profibus and InduSol MultiRep Profibus DP 5-Port Repeater, were identified as potential alternatives to the Anybus brand equipment listed above. Upon review of the specifications, Bartec was removed from consideration due to their device only supporting four (4) channels, the dimensions being incompatible with the enclosure sliding rack trays, and the lack of built-in resistors – all of which are required and only provided by the Anybus brand equipment listed above. InduSol was removed from consideration also due to dimension incompatibility and the lack of flexibility in channel configuration, comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, and redundancy options.

Deviation from the AnyBus brand-name Profihub hardware would negatively impact mission critical goals as the Tech Refresh team would not have an acceptable hardware replacement for the aging legacy components. Without this modernized equipment, the legacy components would continue to become inoperable until there are no replacement parts available, halting mission objectives, software testing, and deliveries until functionality is no longer viable.

Communication and system monitorization deterioration would result in serious risk to the safety and performance of the ship, as the sailors would not be able to send or receive critical information relating to systems health, hygiene and status. Thus, the AnyBus brand-name Profihub hardware is essential to the Government’s requirements.

Alternative brands are unable to match the specifications of the AnyBus brand-name Profihub.

Therefore, consideration of the alternative brands would potentially require approval from stakeholders, a redesign the MCS software, MCS enclosures, network infrastructure and re-consideration of all connected devices, which is not possible at this time.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

Efforts to solicit offers were completed in three phases: the first phase was contacting vendors that had provided technically acceptable proposals to FY23 contract N6449823P5105, to which this new procurement is a follow-on; the second phase was completing internet research to identify authorized resellers and/or websites that offer the exact same brand name materials, and other brands for evaluation; and the third was soliciting a Request for Information (RFI) on SAM.gov.

The proposed requirement is a follow-on to FY23 contract N6449823P5105. The FY23 solicitation received four (4) proposals, three (3) of which were technically acceptable.

Technically acceptable proposals were received from GridConnect, VPrimeTech and WiseCom Technologies for the same AnyBus brand Profihubs. In an effort to conduct market research and solicit offers for this procurement, all three (3) of these vendors were contacted for cost estimates. GridConnect and VPrimeTech were able to provide cost estimates. Multiple attempts were made to contact WiseCom, through January & February 2025, but as drafting of this J&A, a response has not been received.

Internet research was conducted and led to requesting cost estimates from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), HMS-Networks, which is a parent company of AnyBus, and two web stores that had this material listed on their websites, Radwell International and Electrical.com.

HMS-Networks confirmed they would not be providing a cost estimate and provided direction to work with GridConnect. Radwell International did not respond, despite multiple attempts to make contact, January & February 2025. Electrical.com was unable to provide a cost estimate for this material.

An RFI was posted to SAM.gov on 04 March 2025 for the Anybus brand name Profihubs. Three

(3) vendors responded to the RFI: BHPE LLC, SITEC Consulting LLC and Kijero LLC. The responses provided by BHPE and Kijero expressed interest in the opportunity, but did not provide any information or evidence to suggest they had the capability or capacity to support this opportunity. SITEC Consulting’s response provided adequate information and evidence that they are capable of supporting this opportunity.

Through these efforts to solicit offers, three (3) vendors – GridConnect, VPrimeTech and SITEC Consulting LLC – were identified as viable options for the procurement of the AnyBus brand name Profihub hardware.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies covered by this Justification will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NSWCPD has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NSWCPD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

TECHNICAL COGNIZANCE:

REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE:

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.