DJA-23-ALAB-PR-0189 - JOFOC Under SAT - Redacted.pdf

JOFOC No.:

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2. Nature and Description of Action Being Approved. Describe the action being approved include the name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

The ATF Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) conducts experiments in support of Arson investigations. Those experiments are documented using a High Definition (HD) Video Recording System (VRS). The HD videos recorded during arson experiments are provided to ATF Special Agents, Prosecution Attorneys, Defense Lawyers, Judges and Juries during the legal process and is some of the most vital information collected during an experiment.

The FRL’s current VRS is comprised of 24 input channels of HD video and multiple output channels that broadcast to video monitors and the National Lab Center’s (NLC) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system. The VRS was installed in 2003 and 3G copper cabling was installed to transmit the video signals from one device to another. In 2003 the broadcasting standard was Standard Definition (SD) video, for which 3G copper was more than sufficient to broadcast over long distances. Over the past 20 years the FRL has upgraded its broadcasting standard to HD video. The original 3G copper cabling installed in 2003 is not reliable to transmit the HD video over the long distances between equipment in the various laboratory spaces and the VRS tech core. The tech core is the room where the majority of the VRS hardware is located. The Office of Science and Technology (OST) Infrastructure Services Branch (ISB) will be replacing the existing 3G copper cabling with fiber optical cabling. The switch to fiber optical cabling will allow the FRL to reliably record HD video over the long distances and allow for future upgrades to Ultra-High Definition (UHD) video formats.

Video cameras broadcast a digital signal when transmitting information. For the signal to be transmitted along a fiber optical cable it must be converted from a digital signal to an optical signal. Conversely, when the optical signal reaches the VRS tech core, it needs to be converted from an optical signal back to a digital signal. OST ISB will be installing the fiber optical cabling and terminating the ends, but they will not be supplying or installing the equipment that converts the video signal as necessary. Due to the complex nature of the VRS, the installation of this equipment needs to be done by Human Circuit, who is the original system designer and integrator and who has the contract to maintain the system.

Proposed Contractor: Human Circuit, Inc. (Small Business) Address: 9346 Gaither Road; Gaithersburg MD 20877-1422

3. Description of Supplies and Services. Describe the supplies/services to be acquired.

Provide the estimated total value (including options, if any).

Table 1 shows the various locations and number of input and output channels that will require digital to optical and optical to digital conversion. Each Video Recorder Input Channel (Total of

138) will require digital to optical conversion equipment installed at the camera end of the transmission line and optical to digital conversion equipment installed at the tech core end of the transmission line. Each Video Monitor Output Channel (Total of 92) will require digital to optical conversion equipment installed at the tech core end of the transmission line and optical to digital conversion equipment installed at the monitor end of the transmission line.

All conversion equipment needs to be compatible with Single Mode OS2 Fiber and accept LC fiber connections.

Table 1. Optical Channels Required at the Various FRL Locations.

The total estimated value of this acquisition is $151K.

Period of Performance is from date of award until completion of project. Estimated completion is less than one year from date of award.

Location Room Number Video Recorder Input

Channels Video Monitor

Output Channels Total Channels

Per Location

Recommended Optical Fiber

Strands Large Burn Room - North LBR 8 2 10 12

Large Burn Room - South 1 LBR 8 2 10 12 Large Burn Room - South 2 LBR 8 2 10 12 Large Burn Room - East 1 LBR 8 2 10 12 Large Burn Room - East 2 LBR 8 2 10 12 Large Burn Room - West 1 LBR 8 2 10 12 Large Burn Room - West 2 LBR 8 2 10 12

Medium Burn Room - North MBR 8 2 10 12 Medium Burn Room - South Round FPC MBR 8 2 10 12 Medium Burn Room - South Square FPC MBR 8 2 10 12

Medium Burn Room - East MBR 8 2 10 12 Medium Burn Room - West MBR 8 2 10 12

Control Room GN-512 4 24 28 30 Observation Room 1N-960 2 12 14 18

Pyrometrics Laboratory GN-616 6 4 10 12 Small Electrical Laboratory GN-606 6 4 10 12

Calibration Laboratory GN-518 2 2 4 12 Video Storage Room GN-524 2 2 4 12

Large Electrical Laboratory GN-512 8 2 10 12 Gun Vault GN-304 8 2 10 12

Training Room 1N-940 4 2 6 12 Modeling Laboratory 1N-904 0 4 4 12

Cable TV System GN-332 0 10 10 12 Total Connections = 138 92 230 300

4. Identify statutory authority permitting limiting sources. Cite the authority under one of the exceptions listed under FAR 6.302.

FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

FAR 6.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency.

FAR 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability;

or expert services.

FAR 6.302-4 International agreement.

FAR 6.302-5 Authorized or required by statute.

FAR 6.302-6 – National Security

FAR 6.302-7 Public Interest

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring use of the authority.

The task of installing and integrating the conversion equipment for the fiber optic cabling is complex and requires intimate knowledge of the existing system. The VRS is comprised of many pieces of equipment and various software packages such as, digital video recorders, video routers, multiviewer equipment, GPS master clock, video recording software and video routing software. As shown in Table 1, the current VRS has multiple input and output connections (230 connections in total) that will require converters to switch between optical and digital signals and digital to optical signals. All of these connections either terminate (Input connections) or originate (Output connections) from the VRS video router, see Figure 1 and Figure 2. The other ends of all these connections are located at various locations throughout the FRL laboratory. Without prior knowledge of the system or proper drawings to determine the cabling route of each connection, it would be extremely difficult to be able to install the conversion equipment properly. To do this, the vendor will have to know where each connection terminates at the user end to reconnect the new system properly. This is not something that can be done by a vendor who does not have previous knowledge of the system.

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Figure 1. Existing Video Router with Connections.

Figure 2. Existing Video Router Connections

When the OST ISD contractor replaces the existing 3G copper cable with fiber optical cable they will also be increasing the number of inputs and outputs at the existing connection boxes located throughout the FRL laboratory spaces. Additionally, they will be adding new connection boxes to new locations throughout the laboratory spaces. Integrating the new input and output connections at the tech core will require new patch wiring at the tech core end of the system as well as reprogramming of the tech core hardware and various software packages that control the VRS. As the sole maintenance provider for the FRL VRS, Human Circuit is the only company that possesses the knowledge and source code to make the necessary reprogramming changes.

Human Circuit has a Sole Source contract to provide preventative maintenance and troubleshooting services for the FRL’s VRS. As part of that contract, they maintain all the VRS hardware to include providing warranty services for the hardware. If another company were to install the conversion equipment Human Circuit would not be able to honor the warranties for the VRS hardware.

In summary, Human Circuit is the original designer, integrator, and only service provider for the FRL’s VRS system. Human Circuit is the sole provider of support and service for these systems. The FRL VRS is a very complex system that includes various pieces of hardware and software components. Integrating fiber optical conversion equipment into the existing system requires intimate knowledge of all the various hardware and software components, which only Human Circuit possesses.

6. Certifications.

Co-Prepared by:

As the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Government’s Technical Representative (GTR), I certify the above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge and contains complete data/information necessary to support the recommendation and the basis for this justification.

Jason Ouellette, Program Office FRL Laboratory Section Chief

As the Contracts Specialist, I reviewed the information presented above by the program office, this information is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I recommend to the Contracting Officer it is in the best interest of the US Government to pursue other than full and open competition for this requirement.

Brian Palmer, Contracts Specialist Office of Management - Acquisitions

As the Contracting Officer and based on the information presented by the program office, the information is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and it is in the best interest of the US Government to pursue other than full and open competition for this requirement.

Amanda Boshears, Contracting Officer Office of Management - Acquisitions