Brand Name Justification - Comino for Posting.pdf

ERDC Log #FY23-2770

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (EDRC – CERL)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds:___RDT&E______

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $129,480

b. Ten (10) Comino RM V2S liquid-cooled edge computers.

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g. urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: This specific Comino brand computer system is the only system that will meet the requirements of the government’s autonomous vehicle research program based on a need for compatibility. Under a prior procurement two Comino RM V2S liquid-cooled edge computers were purchased and integrated with mobile robotic platforms. The integration efforts to date have focused on ensuring the platforms are capable of operating for prolonged periods of time in extreme environments including deserts and dam outlet works as part of an autonomous vehicle research program. The robotic platforms process enormous amounts of sensor data (roughly 20GB/min) in real time from multiple cameras, LiDARs, inertial measurement units, thermal cameras, and more.

The integration efforts to date have been highly successful, and now additional units are necessary. Changing computer systems at this point in the project will significantly delay the mission due to downtime required for re-engineering. The core features of the Comino RM V2S liquid-cooled edge computers that have allowed for successful integration are as follows:

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 32-Core CPU 128GB 3200MHz ECC DIMM RAM 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD Nvidia RTX 3090 GPU with 24GB VRAM Liquid cooling to CPU, CPU VRM, GPU, GPU GDDR, GPU GDDR VRM 2x DC-DC 48V Power Supply Unit (1200-1600W) 19” Rackmount 4U enclosure with sliding rail kit 2 year warranty

This specific generation of CPU/GPU features is critical for compatibility and continuation of operability of the robotic platforms in use by the autonomous vehicle research program. The liquid cooling feature is essential for the prolonged operating times in extreme environments.

Finally, the DC-DC 48V power supply unit (1200-1600W) and 19” rackmount enclosure with sliding rail kit enables the computer system to be powered by the robotic platform’s onboard batteries and allow easy accessibility for computer maintenance and swapping systems. The combination of the hardware architectures with liquid cooling of all the computer components, the 19” rackmount enclosure with DC-DC power supply make this edge computer system unique. Failure to procure these same systems will result in an unnecessary, timely, and costly rework of existing robotic and autonomous system computational stack.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: Market research has found that there are several entities that are authorized distributors of the required brand of equipment. A combined synopsis/solicitation will be advertised on the SAM.gov contracting opportunities website to ensure all that are capable of providing the required items have a chance to compete.

7. Market Research: The REO team has previous experience using OnLogic Karbon rugged computers. OnLogic offers a similar Rackmount server computer. However, they are not able to offer the following: (1) CPU with clock speeds required, (2) 24GB of GPU VRAM, (3) liquid cooling, (4) DC-DC power supply unit, and (5) 19” rackmount configuration. BSI Computers is another edge computing solution provider. However, they are not able to offer the following: (1) CPU with required clock speeds, (2) DC-DC power supply unit, and (4) Liquid cooling. Many of the edge compute systems research and found online do not have the combination of CPU core count and clock speeds, GPU with 24GB VRAM, 19” rackmount enclosure, and liquid-cooling.

The required computers appear to be available from a network of distributors that includes Digital Intelligence and Blue Tech. Market research was completed by the REO team on 03/07/2023.

The CERL acquisition program team researched availability of these computers on the Army CHESS website as it is a mandatory source for IT procurements. A RFQ was posted on CHESS for a duration from 22 MARCH 2023 – 29 MARCH 2023, and no valid offers were received.

Digital Intelligence and Blue Tech are both CHESS vendors, but currently these systems are not offered on CHESS. A statement of non-availability was obtained on 04/04/2023.

8. Procurement History: The prior purchase of a quantity of two (2) of these computers was performed via government purchase card by the ERDC-ITL branch. That purchase was made through a NASA SEWP procurement vehicle that is no longer available/active, and there does not appear to have been a replacement put in place.

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Purchase order or contract number:_SEWP RFQ # 237445 COMINO Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:______________________________________________________________________

9. Additional information to support the justification: None

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the brand name justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: Jeff Burkhalter Position Title: Branch Chief Email Address:Jeffrey.A.Burkhalter@usace.army.mil Signature:

Date:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this brand name justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Signature:______________ Typed Name:

Title:

Date:

BURKHALTER.JEFFREY.ALLEN.10

85543616

Digitally signed by

BURKHALTER.JEFFREY.ALLEN.1085543616

Date: 2023.05.17 13:25:10 -05'00'

Andrea Thomas

Digitally signed by Andrea Thomas Date: 2023.05.17 17:01:32 -05'00'