F1T0AR8303A101_Single_Source_-R.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

March 2018 Page 2 of 3

#FA2823-05-P-3155; contract #FA2823-07-P-3071; contract #FA2823-08-P-0184; contract #FA2823-08-P-0239;

contract #FA2823-13-P-0063; and contract #FA2823-15-P-0030. After the 2007 purchase, all subsequent contracts were sole sourced to I/O Universal Technologies. After the initial purchase of I/O Universal Technologies, Inc.

components, it was the starting point of an improvement and modernization effort to GRDCS. This current contract action will support the sustainment of the installed control panel components for future GRDCS development, test, and evaluation.

The award of a contract to I/O Universal Technologies, Inc. represents the best value to the Government in that they are the only manufacturer capable of providing components which not only satisfy the requirements set out by the 96 RNCS/ RNCET, but are also compatible with the current hardware suite installed on all GRDCS. Past performance indicates that the components currently being used by GRDCS have performed according to expectations. The overriding factor in making this acquisition is that no other known manufacturer produces the pushbutton control panel components that are a drop- in- replacement in terms of form, fit, and functions for the hardware currently installed in GRDCS. Secondly, these control panel components will ensure compatibility and commonality with GRDCS, were reviewed and accepted by the GRDCS Configuration Review Board (CRB), and are the approved configuration currently in operational use. I/O Universal Technologies, Inc. is the only known company that can provide the pushbutton control panel components that meet the minimum size and performance requirements of the government.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Originally, our engineers tested two prototypes and decided the modules from I/O Universal Technologies, Inc would provide the unique capabilities we require. The other prototype from Control Panel Design (previously awarded Contract FA2823-05-P-3154), did not meet our capabilities after considerable testing. The form and fit of the modules as well as their lack of scalability (inability to be “programmed” to GRDCS mission specifications) rendered them completely unsuitable for our needs and mission requirements.

Our recent market research indicates the possibility of additional providers (ScreenKeys.com, NKKSmartSwitch.com, and RJSElectronics.com) for the material required, however, the cost to prototype/customize to operational specifications, as well as the time needed to evaluate, test, and accept the new product (with approval from the GRDCS CRB) unreasonably outweigh the benefit of continuing with I/O Universal Technologies, Inc. An alternative vendor's product would require a minimum of 2-3 months of system integration, software modifications and testing, with an estimated cost of $ in required labor.

None of these sources proved to be viable alternatives because the components provided by these manufacturers does not meet the form, fit, and function replacement requirements set out by 96 RNCS/RNCET:

Screenkeys.com has the RGB Screenkey (p/n: RGB24T) with a 36 x 24 resolution RGB ScreenKey, RGB LED; Tactile switch mechanism with a synchronous serial data interface. Although other requirements appear to be met, the resolution does not provide the capability of the switches provided by I/O Universal Technologies, Inc. and it only offers the serial data interface.

Likewise, NKKSwitches.com offers the Wide View/Long Travel LCD 64 x 32 SmartSwitch (p/n: IS15DBFP4RGB) and the Wide View Compact LCD 64 x 32 SmartSwitch (p/n: IS15ESBFP4RGB), but only RGB (64 color) LED Backlighting and both only offer a serial (RS232) interface. Several vendors: Powell Electronics, Swedesboro, NJ; Digi-Key Corporation, Thief River Falls, MN; and Mouser Electronics, Mansfield, TX use NKK Smart Switches in their product offering.

RJSElectronics.com offers switches (p/n: Q5-100) whose footprint is similar to Screenkeys.com and I/O Universal Technologies, Inc., however, it only offers a serial (RS232) interface.

The conclusion was that I/O Universal Technologies, Inc. best met the performance, footprint, interoperability, scalability, and flexibility required for the GRDCS consoles currently in operation.