DnF for OTFOC - Luna Labs (Redacted).doc

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

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: One (1) Acuity Corrosion Monitoring System Bundle with accessories

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Luna Labs USA LLC 706 Forest St, Suite A

Charlottesville, VA 22903

CAGE: 8JML8

UEID: M6JVSYRQRYM9

Business Size: Small Business

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 Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

The Corrosion Team within the Materials Development and Transition Branch (MDTB) of the Science of Extreme Materials (SEM) Division is in need of acquiring Acuity Corrosion Monitoring Systems. These systems are essential for investigating coating degradation and corrosion rates of chemical agent resistant coatings (CARC) on different alloy substrates. The programs requiring these systems include coating development and vehicle armor.

Acquiring these systems will enhance the SEM Division's capabilities in monitoring and reporting corrosion rates and mechanisms in both accelerated and outdoor test environments. This improvement will benefit both internal and external customers by providing more comprehensive and accurate data regarding corrosion processes.

The Acuity Corrosion Monitoring Systems offer comprehensive monitoring capabilities, including air temperature, relative humidity, contaminants, surface temperature, and both free and galvanic corrosion rates. Additionally, they monitor the effectiveness of coated samples by tracking the performance of the coated barrier protection.

These systems feature custom-made sensors tailored to the alloys of interest to the SEM Division, thereby enhancing SEM's capabilities within situ monitoring of high-interest alloys and coating systems. The data collected through these systems will provide SEM with direct, in situ insights that were previously unattainable, thereby significantly advancing its understanding of corrosion processes and contributing to more informed decision-making in coating development and vehicle armor programs.

Moreover, Luna Acuity stands as the sole company producing corrosion sensing panels designed for both laboratory and field use, capable of measuring all necessary parameters as outlined earlier. Attempting to assemble a similar tracking system using sensors and setups from various other companies would necessitate multiple contracts, leading to a cost three times greater than the current option. Additionally, it would entail integrating several monitoring software interfaces, occupying a larger footprint, and introducing numerous potential points of failure. Therefore, relying on Luna Acuity for this comprehensive solution ensures efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability in corrosion monitoring for the SEM Division.

Furthermore, the Acuity system enjoys widespread adoption across various institutions such as the Navy Research Laboratory, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), the Air Force Research Laboratory, United States Corps of Engineers (USACE), and other industry collaborators. Leveraging the same system facilitates streamlined data comparison and fosters cross-agency collaboration. This is primarily due to the uniform utilization of the same software interface and technology, simplifying communication, data sharing, and collaborative efforts among different organizations.

[REDACTED] diligently conducted market research, a Materials Engineer in FCDD-RLW-MC, bringing eight (8) years of valuable experience to the table. The research spanned from 04 December 2023 to 18 March 2024 and employed a variety of techniques, including searching through Government-mandated sources, the GSA federal supply schedule, and vendor websites. Additional efforts involved scrutinizing company catalogs and reaching out to knowledgeable individuals or subject matter experts within both Government and industry circles.

Therefore, it was concluded that Luna Labs USA LLC. stands as the sole entity capable of meeting the Government's requirement. Luna Labs USA LLC. serves as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), with no authorized resellers available in the market. This thorough investigation underscores the critical importance of Luna Labs USA LLC. as the exclusive provider to fulfill the Government's needs in this domain.

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.

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