ECMP Mettler Toledo - JA - final_redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

INDIAN HEAD DIVISION

3767 STRAUSS AVENUE

SUITE 201

INDIAN HEAD, MD 206405150

J&A No. FY24-APR16-53

Code: 026

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), Contracts Code 026.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

Award of a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, on a sole source basis, an in-situ particle size unit, specifically the ParticleTrack G600Ex in-situ analytical instruments.

Mettler-Toledo AutoChem, Inc.

6708 Alexander Bell Dr.

Columbia, MD 21046 Cage Code: 1P8Y0

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

NSWC IHD has a need for an in-situ suite of analytical tools that includes particle size and count tracking instruments capable of monitoring mixing in real-time without the need to open the mixing vessel and/or pull samples that may disturb the mixing kinetics. The unit has the following characteristics:

Probe requirements: Units must work with probe-based technology to gain in-situ, real-time analysis without disturbing reaction kinetics. Probe wetted parts compatible with typical organic ingredient and solvents at temperature conditions (-10 to 120 °C) and pressure (total vacuum 10 bar).

The probes must be adaptable to interface with standard 6” and 8” flanges on a 100-gallon slurry mixer or be equivalent to those available at NSWC IHD without interfering with mixer agitation equipment. Probes must also adapt to interface at different locations inside of the 100-gallon slurry mixer.

The fibers of the unit shall be housed in protective conduit to minimize possibility of damage. The fiber and probe assemblies shall be designed to be fully disassembled so that any failed component can be individually repaired, replaced, or upgraded.

Hazardous environment: The particle measurement unit must be designed to operate in ATEX/IECEx Zone 1, Class 1 / Division 1 hazardous locations.

FBRM sensitivity: The particle measurement unit must be able to measure from the submicron to 1 millimeter range without changes to the system. The analysis technique must not assume a particle shape. The unit and associated software must trend statistics over time with sensitivity to size class ranges such as fine particulate (0.5 – 10 μm) or coarse particulate (300 – 1,000 μm). The particulate measurement unit must interface with existing in-situ microscope unit to directly link critical shape information along with particle measurements.

The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

Estimated Dollar Value

FY24

Total

Total $500K

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open

Competition

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 – Only One Responsible Source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Extensive market research was conducted. There were three contractors -- Remspec, Microtrac and Horiba -- who provide particle size analyzer. Only Mettler-Toledo AutoChem can provide all the components meeting all the necessary requirements as well as their integration into a complete system.

The government currently utilizes Mettler-Toledo AutoChem in-situ particle size analyzers at the laboratory scale and pilot-scale for energetics synthesis. Data from laboratory scale experiments must directly correspond with data from pilot and small scale manufacturing scale to properly evaluate the effect of scaling on reaction kinetics and particle size. Use of Mettler-Toledo AutoChem analyzers and software will ensure direct comparison of data between scales. The continuation of Mettler-Toledo AutoChem equipment will also allow the direct overlay of data via software to allow real-time evaluation.

Personnel are currently trained and proficient in the setup, use, and data analysis of the Mettler-Toledo AutoChem equipment. Because the analyzers, probe configuration and setup, and software are the same, additional training and practice using the proposed systems will be limited.

In addition, the costs to the Government would be substantial if the supplies were to be acquired through an alternate means of acquisition. Based on this, Mettler-Toledo AutoChem is the only responsible source that will satisfy agency requirements.

6. Description of Efforts Made To Solicit Offers from as Many

Offerors as Practicable

To further broaden market research and to satisfy the requirements of DFARS PGI 206.301-1(d), a Sources Sought notice was posted on SAM.gov website on 02/28/2024. The posting yielded one (1) result, from the sole source offeror.

As required by FAR 5.203, a pre-solicitation noticed was publicized on the SAM.gov website on 28 February 2024. One (1) response was received, from the sole source offeror.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the supplies covered by the J&A are fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NSWC IHD Contracts has no plans at this time to compete contracts for the types of supplies covered by this document.

For future efforts, in order to change conditions that preclude the use of full and open competition, the procuring activity intends to perform market research. If through market research, it is deemed that one or more potential candidates have the technical capabilities, then a qualification contract may be competed to develop a second source.

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.

Combined Technical Re uirements Co nizance:

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is le all sufficient.

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

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

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

APPROVAL

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Contracting Officer, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1).

Jamie L. Brown Date Contracting Officer

4/24/2024