DiffScanCal LSJ Redacted.pdf

Control No: CAO-20-0180

Version – February 2017

3. Description of Services or Supplies:

PR&DB is currently modernizing their facilities to streamline energetic characterization and testing. In alignment with new Army priorities to increase readiness this instrumentation is critical for screening and analyzing new materials. To support this effort, state of the art instrumentation is required. Acquisition of a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermogravimetry Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA), sometimes referred to as a Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA), are a critical component to fulfill this mission. The DSC measures the heat flow to/from a sample as it undergoes transitions in a thermally controlled environment. The TG/DTA measures both the difference in temperature between the sample and the reference and the changes in mass of a sample as a function of time/temperature. This technique is useful for distinguishing the difference between phase transitions and chemical reactions. PR&DB requires both units equipped with all necessary accessories and components required for operation.

The proposed contractor shall provide the following:

• The contractor shall deliver the instrument on site, set-up IAW the manufacturer's specifications, and provide basic operator training to the workforce IAW a training program/plan.

• The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, and supplies necessary to deliver, unload, install, connect and power-up the instrument. This includes personnel protective equipment (PPE) that the contractor personnel must wear to ensure their safety.

• The Contractor shall install the equipment in accordance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regulations.

• The contractor shall provide training of the equipment for Government Armaments Center personnel. This training is to include operation of equipment and preventative maintenance.

• The contractor shall employ training instruction (e.g., manuals), training criteria (e.g., desired learning outcomes and performance goals), and evaluation methods and metrics to verify training effectiveness in accordance with criteria (e.g., performance measurements such as number of tasks correctly completed within a prescribed time). The contractor may use MIL-HDBK-29612-2A - Department of Defense Handbook, Instructional Systems Development/Systems Approach to Training and Education (Part 2 of 5 Parts), 31 August 2001 as guidance. The contractor may conduct Usability testing as part of the training as a means of verifying training effectiveness IAW the training criteria.

Period of Performance:

Total Value:

4. Authority:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

5. Reasons for Authority Cited:

The Propulsion Pilot Plant Building 1301 is a research and development facility where several laboratory-scale and pilot-scale operations occur to meet the needs of the Propulsion Technology Division at Picatinny Arsenal. This facility contains several laboratories where small-scale research is performed; this research is essential for characterizing and screening propellant ingredients and formulations before scaling up towards propellant manufacturing, qualification, etc. Part of the research necessitates the utilization of various types of analytical equipment, such as Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analyzers (TGA), etc. Currently, the Propellant R&D Branch and the Propellant Pilot Processes Branch have been transporting samples to other branches at CCDC-AC (such as the Propellant Surveillance & Energetics Analysis Branch in Building 3028, or the Explosives Research Branch also in Building 3028) for analysis because the Pilot Plant capabilities are in the process of being improved upon and developed; however, this technique has proven costly and time-consuming. In addition, it is essential that samples are analyzed in the same building as they are generated to limit the amount of materials (inert and energetic) that need to be transferred between buildings.

Each piece of equipment is manufactured by several vendors. Perkin Elmer is the manufacturer of all current DSC units at CCDC-AC Building 3028, which is a material characterization hub from which data are obtained for qualification purposes, etc. The Propellant Surveillance & Energetics Analysis Branch currently possesses several Perkin Elmer DSCs, including a DSC 4000, and the Explosives Research Branch currently has a Perkin Elmer Perkin Elmer

The chemists in Building 3028 at Picatinny have devoted much effort to developing appropriate methodologies of inert and energetic analyses using Perkin Elmer The chemists in Building 1301 require analogous instruments with identical capabilities in order to provide consistent outputs of data akin to data produced by chemists in Building 3028. If a DSC and/or TGA is purchased from a different vendor, this would require comparison and validation studies of this other unit which would possess different technology. These studies would be time-consuming and labor-intensive, and would considerably increase the total cost of purchasing this analytical equipment, which would be much higher than simply purchasing the Perkin Elmer equipment. The chemists in Building 3028 and in Building 1301 have researched and determined that the Perkin Elmer heat flux DSCs and TGAs are the sole units that are able to properly fit into the Propellant Pilot Processes Branch laboratories.

Failure to purchase the Perkin Elmer equipment will result in the use of dissimilar methodologies, the production of non-identical data, the time-consuming disruption of operations, and the burden of excessive costs.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For FAR Part 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 do not apply due to the $ threshold, apply and will be followed, or do not apply due to an exception at

5.202 ______________________.

Requirement to post justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), FAR 13.105(c), or FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A)

Action is NOT a brand name restriction and is under $150K, no posting required

Action is a brand name restriction, under $25K, no posting required Action is a brand name restriction, over $25K. It will be redacted and posted with the solicitation.

Action is a brand name restriction over $25K but will not be posted due to exception:

FAR 6.305(f) FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(A)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(B) FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(C) FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii(C)

7. Market Research:

Market Research was conducted by

This research was conducted between 16 July 2019 and 26 July 2019, and was completed by querying Government databases, using Internet tools and performing web searches, and by posting a Request for Quote (RFQ), RFQ I.D.:

1378581; opened 16 July 2019, closed 26 July 2019. Four (4) potentially suitable units were identified on GSA Advantage, however, none of the businesses responded to the RFQ. The market research also revealed that the equipment could not be purchased through GSA, as none of the vendors could meet the Government requirements.

However, a manufacturer was identified through web searching, Perkin Elmer, that offers the DSC and TG/DTA that can meet all Government requirements to provide the equipment, installation and operator training. The requirement cannot be set-aside for small business as no capable small business have been identified.

8. Other Facts: N/A

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

10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon a price analysis between the proposed prices and the Independent Government Cost Estimate.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a sole source is in the best interest of the Government. Additionally, I approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.