Brand Name Justification.docx

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS

Subj: BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

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

The subject of this procurement is for eight (8) VIS/NIR spatial imagers (cameras) and associated lenses. The purpose of these imagers is to take real-time imagery of the local background area around a US Navy vessel in the full Visible and Near-Infrared electro-optical range (400-1000 nm) binned into four colors; Red, Green, Blue and Near InfraRed (RGB-NIR). These measurements must be of high sensitivity and precision, accurate, and able to be performed real-time in the maritime environment.

The Brand Name Requirement is for eight (8) of the JAI Fusion Series Camera, 2 (Bayer, NIR) 1/1.8" CMOS sensors, 2048x1544 resolution per sensor, 123fps, 10GBase-T interface, C-Mount, with eight (8) > 61 degree Field of View (FoV) LM6NC3 Kowa lens 3CCD Video Lens, 1/2" format, 6mm F/1.8, manual focus and iris, with locking screws, C-mount and relevant factory calibrations for each camera.

The Delivery Requirement is for December 2021. Manufacturer of Camera:

JAI

6800 Santa Teresa Blvd, Suite 175 San Jose, CA 95119 United States

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR BRAND NAME BASED ON CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION

The project this acquisition is under has the task to collect spatial and spectral data of the background of a fielded U.S. Navy vessel, in real time while positioned on the vessel.

This requires a sensor or series of sensors that can gather differences spatially (over the area of the background) and spectrally (different wavelengths, or colors, of light). It is necessary that this is low noise, accurate information collected and processed in real time.

It is also necessary that the collected imagery be as sensor agnostic as possible. The light wavelength data should be accurately ‘binned’ into Red, Green, Blue or NIR wavelengths without significant gaps in the spectrum from 400nm to 1000nm. This allows for both accuracy in scene analysis and the ability to re-process the collected data to mimic multiple threat sensors.

There is a class of sensors, spectrometers, which have a higher spectral accuracy. However, they cannot simultaneously give any spatial information.

There are also other imaging devices in the market that do collect spatial and spectral data. However, none were found to be simultaneously suited to the purpose of color binning (wavelength responses to RGB and NIR), accurate (signal response, noise, and dynamic range per pixel), and also able to survive and physically fit in the intended environment.

Due to the need to view as much of the background water as possible, the sensors need to be mounted up and out from the vessel as much as reasonable. This does limit the size of the sensor package. With 2 housings, and 3 sensors in each housing, this task can be completed with 6 sensors if the FoV is >61degrees in the horizontal. The LM6NC3 Lens when combined with the JAI camera meets the required FoV, form factor, adjustable f-stop, and transmissivity over the spectrum being captured.

There is significant support from JAI on this camera and documented in other publically available resources.

There is also significant support from Kowa on this lens.

The performance of the combination of this lens and camera was physically demonstrated and tested in our lab.

Therefore, based on the above unique qualities of the JAI FS-3200D-10GE 4-Band 3.2 Mp camera combined with the Kowa LM6NC3 lens and the below market research, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) (1)(i) the circumstances of this contract action deem only one brand reasonably available.

3. MARKET SURVEY

Other test hardware was researched as part of this process. Other equipment either did not cover the full bandwidth under test (not NIR), did not have the sensor sensitivity to be used as needed for this program (noise, bit-depth, dynamic range), or did not have the wavelength selectivity required (RGB and NIR). Of the systems physically tested in our lab only the JAI fully met the tested performance expectations and did not have potentially unresolvable systematic issues.

Lab tested data points include color response, short-term temporal noise, spatial noise and artifacts, effective FoV, power draw, and a limited drift over time test. Also confirmed were the software control interface and data output being in a standardized format capable of interfacing with the proposed local network and processing and control software.

Limited lab testing was done to ensure the manufacturer stated specifications were accurate, fill in knowledge gaps where there was no stated specification, and ensure there were no risky assumptions about how the system behaves. This is a non-standard camera system being used in a non-standard way, so it was necessary to lower risk by confirming the system works as assumed in the required configuration.

Not lab tested was the long-term drift in response over time due to limited time and budget. Also not tested was the temperature response, shock, and vibration hardiness due to these being potentially destructive or damaging tests, and not appropriate for a system on loan. As these are standard industry tests, it is assumed the manufacturer published specs are accurate.

Of the lenses researched, only the Kowa LM6NC3 had the correct FoV, adjustable f-stop, high transmissivity out to NIR, and low distortion while also being the correct physical shape to work appropriately with the style of JAI camera technology.