Trimble_UAS_Brand_Name.pdf

FHWA-WFLHD Brand Name Justification (For purchase below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold)

1. Description of product/service being procured

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) consisting of the following components:

Qty Description COST 3 EA Trimble UX5HP UAS kit $108,000.00

1 EA Trimble Business Center Advanced software with Photogrammetry module, network license $7,400.00

1 EA Trimble Business Center Advanced software with Photogrammetry module, dongle license $7,400.00

1 EA Trimble Business Center Photogrammetry Module for existing advanced network license $5,400.00

3 PR MFR P/N UX-S00129-01, Lithium Polymer Battery (14.8 V) for Trimble UX5HP (Unit of Issue contains 2 each) $1,608.00

3 PG MFR P/N UX-S00172-01, LiPo Battery Charge Cable for Trimble UX5HP (Unit of Issue contains 3 each $528.00

2. Description of the need for the product/service

Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) is in need of a fixed wing Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to accurately gather digital photogrammetric survey data. The data will be used to provide base mapping for projects wherever project conditions and requirements are suitable.

The UAS is portable, can quickly be deployed, and provides much needed flexibility to the WFL Geomatics staff. A fixed wing craft is needed over a rotary because of higher flight speeds, better wind stability, longer flight durations, and ease of flying.

Trimble Business Center is a product which takes the photogrammetric data from the UAS and computes large numbers of individual coordinate triplets displayed as a spatially correct “point cloud”. This data is then imported to our current design software so the project can be developed.

3. Description of the limitation to one specific manufacturer

Market research identified 10 potential fixed wing drones from different manufacturers.

Fixed wing drones from Trimble, Sensefly, Falcon Unmanned, Precisionhawk, Roboflight, AgEagle, QuestUAV, Sentera, and UAV Systems, and 3D Robotics were examined. Of these, only the Trimble and Sensefly products utilize survey grade dual frequency GPS receivers for obtaining accurate positions of camera trigger events (photo centers). High quality GPS positions of photo centers enables photos to be processed with fewer ground control points.

The Trimble UAS was selected because of its size, camera, GPS method, and operational characteristics. Size is a factor when looking at flight performance under windy conditions such as are typically see in Montana, Alaska, and parts of the other states in our region.

Payload capacity of the Trimble UAS is greater than other fixed-wing models we researched.

The Trimble UAS is equipped with a substantially larger (full frame) camera than the other UAS unit in the considered price range which used a small “point and shoot” type. In addition, the camera on the Trimble is rated at 36 MP as opposed to 16 MP in the Sensefly Ebee which was also evaluated. This can translate into a Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) specification of as low as 1 cm with the Trimble versus 1.5 cm minimum with the Sensefly.

The Trimble UX5 HP uses a Post Processed Kinematic (PPK) process for obtaining highly accurate locations for camera trigger points during flight. This is a distinct advantage over the Sensefly Ebee RTK model in that the RTK process relies on a continuous radio reference link between a ground survey point and the UAS. If this radio signal is interrupted there is a chance that some of the data will need to be sorted and adjusted or that the UAS will simply abort the flight it is on and return to its takeoff point. Experience with ground based RTK radio links has shown this loss of reference data to be a relatively common occurrence.

Operating characteristics of the Trimble UX5 HP are an improvement over the Sensefly Ebee because the UX5 does not need to cut power to its motor in order to dampen the motor vibration. The Sensefly product needs to cut power to its motor and glide while each photo is taken which would result in a very large number of start and stop instances. The heavier weight and larger wing span of the Trimble UAS (6.4 lb./39.4 in. versus 1.6 lb./37.8 in.) give it an additional 10 km/hr. wind resistance over the Ebee (55 Km/h versus 45 km/h).

Trimble Business Center software is required for processing data from the Trimble UAS because of the interactive workflow the manufacturer has established. Photos from the UAS are tagged with their own GPS location which is then adjusted by the software according to reference data simultaneously recorded in a ground unit. Trimble software is needed to ensure this adjustment is performed properly on all photos.

4. Additional Information

This purchase is being undertaken for all three Federal Lands offices (Eastern Federal Lands, Central Federal Lands, and Western Federal Lands) in order to acquire and use the same UAS product. This supports the management policy of a Single Enterprise solution and ensures the maximum benefit of shared experience in obtaining and processing acquired data

5. Brand Name Specifications FAR Reference

FAR 8.405-6(b)(1) Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i) The contracting officer must justify restricting consideration to an item peculiar to one manufacturer (e.g., a particular brand-name, product, or a feature of a product that is peculiar to one manufacturer). A brand-name item, even if available on more than one contract, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer. Brand-name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand-name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. Additionally, I certify that the above information and the technical evidence supporting this justification are complete and accurate.

Larry Goble, WFL Land Services Manager Date

Robert Bell, CFL Survey Manager Date

Angel Pagan-Ocasio, EFL Survey and Mapping Engineer Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Since this effort does not exceed $150K, this certification serves as approval.

Douglas Taylor, Contracting Officer Date

7/22/2016

Robert.Bell Text Box 7/25/2016

Robert.Bell Text Box 7/25/2016 douglas.g.taylor Typewritten Text 7-25-2016