DnF for OTFOC.doc

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: Starter-Generator System for Aviation Application

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

ThinGap, Inc.

4035 Via Pescador

Camarillo, California

93012-5050

CAGE Code: 71E99

SAM UEID: F5GQTBBYNKQ4

SAM Expiration: 08 September 2023 Business Size: Small

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: $217,725.00

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):

_x_ 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 & Propulsion (VICTOR) Essential Research Program (ERP) requires one (1) starter-generators, one (1) chassis-cooled inverters, one (1) air-cooled direct current-direct current (DC-DC) converters and associated technical support provided by ThinGap Inc. to be delivered to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) Maryland, 21005. The Government currently owns two (2) starter generator systems procured in Fiscal Year 22 in support of current unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) projects and requires an additional starter generator system. The starter generator system must be procured from the same source to meet the project goals. Even if another vendor was able to supply a starter generator system that meets mission goals, having mismatched units would cause numerous mechanical/electrical compatibility issues which would lead to project delays and increased project costs.

The Government identified eight (8) vendors that have developed a motor-generator (or starter-generator) system. The YASA system is designed for crankshaft axial flux design which does not meet the requirement of gearbox axial flux design. The Cascadia Motion motor-generator system that was assessed by ARL in its Phase I project does not meet the continuous specific power requirement of 3 kW/kg and the maximum specific power requirement of 6 kW/kg. Furthermore, ARL experienced control complications during its Phase I evaluation. The Honewell Aerospace starter-generator system is limited with its maximum speed of 12,000 revolution per minute (rpm) and is oversized (25 kW compared to the requirements of 7 to 10 kW). And its maximum power density of 1.3 to 3.3 kW/kg does not meet the Government requirements of 6 kW/kg. Raytheon Technologies needs to develop their starter-generator or motor-generator with a significant development cost. The EMRAX system is oversized for the current application. Their smallest model has 30 kW continuous power. Calnetix expressed that they are only interested in large system. Aveox expressed that they only sell components of starter-generator system such as rotor or stator. The ThinGap system produces 10 kW continuous power at the speed above 7,000 rpm, and 7 kW continuous power at 5,000 rpm. It has 6 kW/kg maximum specific power at and above 11,000 rpm and 3 kW/kg at and above 6,500 rpm, and with its maximum speed of 20,000 rpm. It has 95+% efficiency with its peak efficiency of 98.5%. It meets the starter-generator dimension requirement of 127 mm (D) x 177 mm (L) x 177 mm (H). The system operating temperature is -48 to 71 degC with respect to the requirement of -48 to +49 degC. Each component is air-cooled. The total system weight is estimated at 8.9 kg which meets the Government requirement of 9 kg.

Based on the aforementioned details, ThinGap Inc is the sole supplier capable of providing the required components, as they own all proprietary design information for the starter-generator system and the inverters and DC-DC converters from their collaboration partner, ESI Motion, and can offer them as commercially available hardware.

___ 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