DnF for OTFOC.pdf

Template last updated 4/23/2018

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: The Lethal Mechanisms Branch (LMB) of the

Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires the procurement of one (1) MatchID Software License.

The Period of Performance (PoP) is as follows:

Base Contract: December 1, 2023-November 30, 2024 Option Year One (1): December 1, 2024-November 30, 2025 Option Year Two (2): December 1, 2025-November 30, 2026 Option Year Three (3): December 1, 2026-November 30, 2027

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

MatchID Leiekaai 25A 9000 Gent, Belgium

CAGE: B8177

POC:

Tel:

Email:

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE:

Base Year:

Option Year One (1):

Option Year Two (2):

Option Year Three (3):

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.

___ 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:

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

_x__ 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.

_X__ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

The Lethal Mechanisms Branch (LMB) of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires the procurement of one (1) MatchID Software License for the use of characterizing and quantifying behind armor deformation of personal protection systems. This software will be used to support the warfighter by advancing protection systems that are currently in place and is necessary for the continuation of mission requirements.

The ARL currently has mission partners including Johns Hopkins University, Colorado

School of Mines, and New Mexico Tech that utilize MatchID software for their own requirements. These mission partners have been using MatchID for 3D motion and deformation measurements to further progress our advancements of personal protection systems for the warfighter. Comparing results from these University partners has greatly reduced the need for redundant research efforts. In addition, given the ubiquity of MATCHID software in aforementioned mission partner facilities who solely support the MATCHID software, switching to an unfamiliar product that is not supported across expected testing facilities would cause a lapse in continuity of research results negatively impacting ongoing improvements of personnel protection systems.

ARL LMB currently holds certifications to work with and analyze data that is produced by using the MatchID software. ARL has previously invested time and funding into training programs to certify LMB personnel to be equipped for using this software, which includes an estimated cost of of Government spending and 120 hours for training. In addition, analysis packages have been created for specific use with the MatchID software. If a different software was used, not only would the LMB personnel need to be recertified, but they would also need to collect new data sets to meet the needs of the new software. This would result in more costs for the government and delays in meeting mission requirements.

Using a similar functioning software solution would impact ongoing testing and research results, causing detrimental delays in supporting mission critical data at ARL. While additional suppliers for similar software to MATCHID exist such as Correlated Solutions, Inc. Trillion, Inc., and LaVision, Inc., these companies do not offer solutions that meet the Government’s minimum requirements of optimization studies on analysis parameters, synthetic image deformation, and material identification that include a virtual fields