DnF for OTFOC - Gaven (Redacted).doc

BRAND NAME DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: Purchase of Custom Gaven Industries High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse Container

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Original Equipment Manufacturer:

Gaven Industries Inc.

6655 North Noah Dr Saxonburg, PA 16056

UEID: RP5XBG7N1G19

Business Size: Small Business

CAGE: 1DVX9

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: $[REDACTED]

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

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 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:

The Context Aware Processing Branch at Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC) is in immediate need of procuring High Altitude Electro Magnetic Pulse (HEMP) Containers from Gaven Industries. [REDACTED] It is crucial that the purchase be made directly from Gaven Industries, as other mission partners already employ their equipment. Gaven Industries is the exclusive provider and manufacturer of HEMP-hardened equipment cabinets, making them the sole compatible source due to the proprietary design, including meeting the input/output filtering requirements of MIL-STD-188-125-1 protection standards for ground-based facilities engaged in critical, time-sensitive missions.

Moreover, various Government agencies collaborating with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), [REDACTED], currently utilize Gaven Industries HEMP containers. To ensure Experimental Continuity across systems and uphold mission safety, it is imperative that ARL procures the same HEMP containers manufactured by Gaven.

HEMP Containers play a vital role in safeguarding their interior from specialized attacks, particularly given the growing dependence on digital infrastructure. Shielding against electromagnetic threats is imperative, and HEMP-Shielded Containers offer unmatched protection against electromagnetic pulses. They serve to safeguard sensitive electronics, data storage systems, operational technologies, and other critical systems, ensuring their integrity and functionality remain intact.

Implementing alternative HEMP options would necessitate replacing containers across all the previously mentioned organizations. This undertaking would incur costs exceeding $[REDACTED] and demand over 36 months for configurations and training on new equipment. Consequently, Gaven Industries stands as the sole source capable of providing compatible HEMP containers to ensure Continuity of Operations under Office of Science & Technology Policy/Office of Management and Budget (OSTP)/(OMB), Directive 16-1, Classified Annex C.

Market research was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 by [REDACTED], a program analyst with 30 years of experience in the Army Research Laboratory ARD directorate. [REDACTED] research involved exploring existing contracting vehicles within category management. However, searches under tier 1-3 Contract Vehicles yielded no vendors capable of meeting the Government's requirements.

Additionally, [REDACTED] conducted internal searches on websites such as https://mosequipment.com/products/mission-darkness-shielded-window, https://hollandshielding.com/en/emi-rfi-shielded-boxes, and https://www.ets-lindgren.com/products/shielding. Unfortunately, none of these internet searches yielded products that met the Government's minimum requirements outlined in MIL-STD-188-125-1 protection standards for ground-based facilities engaged in critical, time-sensitive missions.

Furthermore, the purchase of HEMP containers must align with other ARL research partners and ensure experimental continuity. Therefore, it is in the Government's best interest to sole source this requirement to Gaven Industries, as they are the only logical source capable of providing HEMP Containers that meet compatibility requirements with existing systems.

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