C14 - Redacted SSJ.pdf

MEMORANDUM

Subj: SOLE SOURCE MEMORANDUM TO ACQUIRE Shearwater Petrel 3 Dive Computers with Test Equipment

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification.”

This is a sole source justification. Contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), 110 Vernon Avenue, Panama City, FL 32407-7001.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This action will award sole source, firm fixed price purchase order pursuant to Shearwater Research (CAGE L9402) to acquire Petrel 3 Dive computers running the Thalmann Algorithm along with a custom-designed testing apparatus (PO2 emulator) for use at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

(including the estimated value). The contract effort is to acquire the following:

Part Number Qty Description

14002

5.0

TPS Dive CAN Diver6 Male+Female – Single Tank

11322

15.0

Petrel 3 DiveCAN Controller SRI – Dev Only

N/A

1.0

Engineering Design

10000

1.0

Shipping

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST:

This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures with a total estimated value of greater than $25,000.00. The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements.

4. Identification of the justification rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), 10 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)(B). Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements FAR 6.302-1.

The equipment listed above is provided by Shearwater Research, and they are the only source that meets this requirement for the following reasons: The Shearwater Petrel 3 computer is integrated into several different underwater breathing apparatuses (UBAs) currently used during interoperability diving exercises. An alternative product cannot be used because the Petrel 3 dive computer is hardwired to the UBAs of interest. There is no viable method to swap the Petrel 3 for a different unit. Planned execution time of this project is March of 2024. Therefore, it is imperative that this equipment is acquired from Shearwater Research immediately to meet Government technical and scheduling requirements.

Furthermore, as the OEM of the Petrel 3 dive computer, Shearwater is the only company capable of modifying the firmware of the Petrel 3 dive computer to run the U.S. Navy Thalmann Algorithm instead of the ZHL-16C Buhlmann algorithm loaded in the commercially available version of the dive computer. Further, Shearwater is uniquely poised to facilitate a device to emulate the oxygen control monitoring signal provided on their proprietary CAN bus from a commercial off the shelf UBA to a hardwired Petrel 3 dive computer. This device will allow NEDU researchers to simulate real world dive situation without the cost, risk, and overhead of placing divers in real world environments.

As such, the government does not expect significant savings through competition and it is more advantageous to the Government to award on a sole source basis to Shearwater Research the Petrel 3 dive computers and custom spoofing apparatus.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

For the reasons specified in paragraph 4 above, Shearwater Research is the only source that can meet the Government’s needs. This requirement will be synopsized in the government point of entry sam.gov because it is estimated greater than $25,000.00.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

As stated in paragraph 4 above, Shearwater Research is the only source that can meet the Government’s needs.