DnF for OTFOC.doc

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: Prototype Piston Design and Manufacturing

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

MAHLE Powertrain, L.L.C.

23030 Mahle Drive Farmington Hills, Michigan

48335-2606, United States Unique Entity ID: M8KLDKAB11B9 CAGE Code: 4RTR5 SAM Expiration Date: 8 June 2022

Large Business Concern

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE:

MAHLE Piston Project

Engine build

$ 129,020.00

Schedule (Period of Performance: 18 Weeks)

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: The statutory authority permitting sole source is 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i):

✓ Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

___ Unusual and Compelling Urgency

___ Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert Services

___ International Agreement

___ Authorized or Required by Statute

___ National Security

___ Public Interest

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The item(s) listed in section one above is available from only one source and competition is precluded for reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

_X_ Compatibility: The item(s) must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. Describe the equipment you have now and how the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system:

The Versatile Tactical Power and Propulsion branch of the Computational and Information Sciences Directorate (CSID) of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires eight (8) modified diesel engine pistons manufactured by MAHLE Powertrain. These pistons will be modified from their standard compression ratio of 15:1 to a new compression ratio of 18:1. The base metal piston design, tooling, and cover plates are unique to MAHLE Powertrain. MAHLE Powertrain are the sole vendor to possess the proprietary expertise, and necessary equipment to modify the existing piston used in current Government owned Mercedes diesel engines.

The MAHLE’s base metal piston is a commercial piston developed for Mercedes diesel car engines. The Army’s intended system is using the similar engine from Mercedes’; thus, the piston’s major dimensions such as the bore diameter is the same as the MAHLE’s base metal piston. It is critical not to change the piston bore diameter due to the modified piston compatibility requirements to the base Government owned diesel engines. Failure to procure pistons that are compatible with the base diesel engines will cause the Government to purchase additional engines causing duplication of costs. In addition, failure to proceed with MAHLE Powertrain would cause unacceptable mission delays due to the development time required for another vendor to create the necessary equipment already possessed by MAHLE Powertrain. This development time would also cost upwards of $4,000,000.00, which would be passed onto the Government.

Based on the aforementioned, MAHLE Powertrain is the sole manufacturer that can meet the Army’s requirements for a modified metal diesel engine piston.

___ Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

___ Experimental Continuity: The item(s) must be consistent with prior materials in order to ensure experimental continuity. Describe the conditions that necessitate the use of experimental continuity:

___ Warranty: Purchasing item(s) from another manufacturer/provider would void existing warranty. Provide a brief explanation for the use of this reason and the impact that would occur if the item was purchased from another manufacturer/provider:

___ Direct Replacement: These are “direct replacement” parts/components for existing equipment and no substitutes exist.

___ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

6. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Template last updated 4/23/2018