Brand_Name_Justification_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901

SOL # D17PS00629

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

This document is a brand name justification for the Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior

Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Division IV, Branch III, on behalf of the Office of Aviation Services (OAS).

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

This action is a new requirement for the brand name purchase of 3DR Solo drones

(Quadcopters) and associated equipment, where multiple small business vendors have been identified as potential sources.

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Item Description Part Numbers Quantity/Kit Extended

Quantity

3DR Solo w/Controller SA11A 1 150

3DR Solo Gimbal GB11A 1 150

3DR Solo Backpack BP11A 1 150

3DR Solo Flight Batteries BT11A 6 900

Spare Propeller (Set) PP11A 2 300

Estimated value:

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition.

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain

Commercial Items. The statutory authority permitting a brand name acquisition is 41U.S.C

1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

3D Robotics Solo unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have proven to be valuable and reliable assets to the DOI UAS fleet. DOI has the responsibility to manage, protect and sustain

America’s lands, water, wildlife, and energy resources, honors our nation’s responsibilities to tribal nations, and advocates for America’s island communities. As part of this mission, DOI

SOL# D17PS00629

utilizes UAS’s. DOI missions can be hazardous to personnel, require persistent presence, and often need to be conducted without disturbing native species or visitors to our lands.

OAS has an operational need and demand for up to 150 additional units for use by DOI

Bureaus for the capabilities of the Solo to provide remote sensing products.

The Solo offers an uplink and downlink frequency that is a secure digital data frequency at

2.4 GHz with AES encryption (FIPS compliant) while utilizing the pixhawk autopilot. The

Solo offers sensor options that include: Full Motion Video (FMV), natural color camera, thermal Infrared (IR) camera and multispectral.

The Solo’s combination of flight planning software, autopilot and sensors allow for the following types of missions: basic aerial imagery, archeological survey, wildlife survey, vegetation surveys, emergency response, facilities management, multi/hyperspectral imagery, search and rescue, invasive species management, law enforcement and security, geographical measurements, and wildfire reconnaissance and suppression.

DOI has developed training specifically for the Solo, and has also developed workflows for the multiple sensors that are being utilized for data collection. DOI has developed a 40 hour, one (1) week course for the Solo, training 30 individuals with another 100 expected operators in the next year. The course development required six (6) months to complete with six (6) personnel involved.

The cost of transitioning to a different platform at this time is more than just financial, in short such a transition could potentially impact the DOI wide schedule moving forward.

Financially, there are significant expenses every time the Government transitions from one platform to another, to include:

Travel for training of four (4) OAS inspectors = $6,000 (miminum)

The cost of the manufacturer training, per student (x4) = $6,000.00 (minimum)

Training for Bureau personnel = $1,500 - $2,000

Another consideration is time. The time to develop the training material from one week to many weeks depending on the platform and Bureau involvement. It also takes time to become familiar with an aircraft and know its performance and reliability.

DOI has identified the 3DR Solos in an effort to adhere to DOI Policy as stated in OPM-11

“As with manned aircraft, Department operations of commercially available UAS is most efficient when acquisition is limited to a few proven systems that allow standardized training and procedures as well as simplified logistics.” These systems have been vetted by NASA and the DOI Bureaus with over 800 missions this last year.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

As permitted under FAR Parts 12 and 13 for commercial items, a combined synopsis/solicitation will be posted to FedBizOpps (FBO) as a total small business set-aside.

Additionally, the redacted brand name justification will be posted as part of the combined synopsis/solicitation.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer determines that the anticipated prices will be fair and reasonable based on competition and historical pricing data.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

After a review of the previous acquisition of similar equipment, and current market conditions, multiple responses are expected as a result of solicitation D17PS00629. In addition, the following databases were queried and determined not to be viable sources:

GSA Advantage and NASA SEWP.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

At this time there are no other products meeting the Minimum Requirements combinations of the 3DR Solo – specifically, the combination of the autopilot, GPS systems, along with the ability to decline automated file sharing.

While many commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) drones have autopilot and GPS capabilities, many also collect and automatically share flight telemetry data and imagery. OAS uses drones for sensitive missions including law enforcement, endangered species research, and surveying archaeological sites, making the ability to decline (or opt-in to) file sharing an essential security feature.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

Due to unique and specialized functional and technical configurations required, the 3DR Solo quadcopter is the only product capable of supporting OAS at this time. Competition will be obtained to the maximum extent possible.

12. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

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

13. Requirements personnel certification.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government’s minimum needs.

14. Reviews and Approvals

Concur

Concur/Approve