JOFOC_Matrix_X_Tools.pdf

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

Control #: ATF-20-0003 ARQ # DJA-20-ANCE-PR-0047 Page 1 of 6

1. Contracting Activity.

Office of Management:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Office of Management Property, Acquisitions and Safety Division Acquisitions Branch 99 New York Avenue NE, 3.S-125 Washington, DC 20226.

POC: Brian Wilkins 202-648-9120 E-mail: Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov

Requesting Office:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) 3750 Corporal Road, Bldg 3750 Huntsville, AL 35898 POC: Tom Hudson 256-261-7523 E-mail: Thomas Hudson@atf.gov

2. Nature of action being approved. Consideration of award will be limited to

Proposed Vendor Matrix X, LLC 524 Regatta Way Bradenton, FL, 34208

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

The estimated maximum dollar value (includes options, if any) is $398,286.00

Period of Performance: 12/01/2019 – 11/30/2020

This Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) authorizes and approves the issuance of a sole source, firm-fixed price purchase order for the acquisition of Matrix X explosives counter charge tools.

4. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition

41 USC 3304(a)(1), FAR 6.302-1. The supplies or service required are available for one

Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, FAR 6.302-1 mailto:Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov mailto:Thomas%20Hudson@atf.gov

Control #: ATF-20-0003 ARQ # DJA-20-ANCE-PR-0047 Page 2 of 6

5. Contractor’s Unique Qualifications.

The unique qualifications of the selected vendor include the Matrix X tool is a patented item. The only source of this tool is Matrix X LLC. The proprietor of Matrix X LLC is the inventor of the patent and holds the manufacturing authority. There is no other manufacturer of this device. This specific tool was developed and patented by the proprietor of Matrix X LLC and there is no other manufacturer for it or any similar tool.

Matrix X, LLC is a small business that has two U.S. patents and a foreign patent pending for an explosives charge known as Matrix X® and for the tool and techniques necessary to make the explosives charge.

The Matrix X explosives charge relates to an explosives matrix assembly (E.M.A.)

which is geometrically symmetrical in its design allowing it to be configured in multiple ways to perform many explosives tasks by law enforcement, the military, and commercial blasters to include neutralizing target explosives (Explosives disposal), as an explosives breaching charge, as a disruption or render safe charge for improvised explosives devices, as an initiating charge for point explosives and other less sensitive explosives, and for general use in blasting where a known amount of explosives is required to perform a specific amount of work for a specific amount of area. Matrix X can be used in manners that other explosives are limited and/or to cost prohibited. The Matrix X charge uses a patent pending technique combining anti-static polyethylene and detonating cord to make a pliable, efficient, predictable, and safe explosives charge. The pliability and tensile strength of the Matrix X allow it to be configured into many shapes that no other explosives in the world can be shaped including sheet explosives. Seventy-six different Matrix X charges can be constructed by the Matrix Big X Tool and 18 charges by the Matrix Mini X Tool. Charts are provided with the tools which give the net explosives weight for each charge size constructed, eliminating any required calculations by the user.

The Matrix X charge and tool are superior to the old Matrix charge and tool that has been taught and provided to students of the ATF Advanced Explosives Techniques School (AEDT) for the last five years. The old Matrix charge required the use of cable ties to hold the detonating cord in 90 degree angles after it was weaved and required tape on both sides of the detonating cord to hold the charge together after removal from the tool.

The new Matrix X charge does not use any cable ties to hold it in 90 degree angles and uses a patent pending process of anti-static polyethylene and adhesive to hold the charge together after removal from the Matrix X tool. The use of anti-static polyethylene makes the charge safer to build and use. Static is never good in the presence of explosives. The polyethylene is also waterproof which makes it desirable for use in wet environments.

The Matrix X charge is much more pliable than the old Matrix charge as it does not use cable ties, which makes the charge stiffer, and it uses polyethylene instead of tape, which makes it stiffer. This is demonstrated in the next slide. By eliminating the step requiring the builder having to force the weave into 90 degree angles and using cable ties, the

Control #: ATF-20-0003 ARQ # DJA-20-ANCE-PR-0047 Page 3 of 6

Matrix X charge can be built at far greater speed than the old Matrix X charge and at a lesser cost.

The Matrix X tool has precisely placed grooves that allow the detonating cord to be woven into 90 degree angles whereas the old Matrix tool does not. This eliminates the use of cable ties to force the detonating cord into 90 degree angles. The new Matrix X tool also has a patent pending dove tail slide that allows the tool to change sizes without disassembly and reassembly. The new Matrix X tool corners use a pinned fastener to hold them together that allows the corners to be quickly separated in order to easily remove the Matrix X charge from the tool. The old Matrix tool uses carriage bolts and wing nuts to hold the corners and sides together which requires disassembly when changing sizes and separating the corners. This is very time consuming, especially when making more than one charge. Loose hardware also allows for the possibility of the hardware sticking to the charge, therefore creating fragmentation.

Matrix X, LLC is the only company that has rights to produce this charge and tools and to provide training on the deployment of the Matrix X explosives charge. The purchase of the Matrix X tool comes with the permission to use the copyrighted material in classroom and hands on training for every 30 to 40 tools purchased.

6. Efforts to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

A notice will be publicized as required by FAR Part 5

7. Anticipated cost:

The anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part: 13.106-3(a)(2), the Contacting Officer has determined the prices proposed to be fair and reasonable based on a previous and priced proposed for the same product (See Below).

Contract Number Unit Cost DJA-16-AHDQ-P-0029 $400.00 Matrix X Tools and shipping at $150.00 per group of 30 to 40 students DJA-17-AHDQ-V-0043 $400.00 Matrix X Tools and shipping at $150.00 per group of 30 to 40 students

15A00019FAQ000151

$400.00 Matrix X Tools and shipping at $150.00 per group

15A00019FAQ000252

15A00019FAQ000260

Control #: ATF-20-0003 ARQ # DJA-20-ANCE-PR-0047 Page 4 of 6

15A00019FAQ000293

15A00019FAQ000317

8. Market Research.

Market Research consisted of Internet searches for any companies offering the specific Matrix X tool for sale.

Internet search did not produce any results of companies offering the specific or like model for sale.

There are no other government entities that are purchasing this item as the original Matrix tool was manufactured under a government (ATF held) patent.

Contacted Matrix X LLC directly to inquire about their business practices and distribution. Matrix X LLC does not ship tools to any dealers or distributors. The tools are available to government only by direct sale from Matrix X LLC.

There are no current procurement contracts issued by another government agency for these tools.

9. Other pertinent Facts:

None

10. Listing of Sources that expressed a written interest in this acquisition:

None

11. Barriers to Competition:

The Bureau makes every effort to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. Currently, with no other authorized providers of the Matrix X tool, therefore, to assist the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research in accomplishing their mission, awarding a purchase order to Matrix X LLC is in the best interest of the government.

However for future requirements, should the vendor subsequently allow authorized resellers or the requirement changes, the National Center for Explosives Training and Research will perform due diligence in an effort to identify other sources and continue to research the marketplace and communicate with other agencies, to determine if similar products or services can meet its needs in the future to remedy the restricted competition

Control #: ATF-20-0003 ARQ # DJA-20-ANCE-PR-0047 Page 5 of 6 on future requirements of this technical nature. Additionally, the Acquisition Division will continue to utilize bidding websites as well as other competitive procedures to promote competition to the maximum extent practicable.

Control #: ATF-20-0003 ARQ # DJA-20-ANCE-PR-0047 Page 6 of 6

CERTIFICATION:

I, the Acquisition Initiator, certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete.

Thomas Hudson 10/25/2019

Program Manager Date

Reviews and Approvals (See FAR 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, and ATF Order 1400.1 for review and approval requirements under specific circumstances. See attached Route Slip for routing purposes).

BRIAN WILKINS 10/25/2019

Contracting Officer Date