JOFOC_Final_SEA_Multi-Element_Probe.pdf

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL DOCUMENT

(also known as Justification Review Document)

Contracting Activity: AFTC/PZIOA

Purchase Request/Local Identification Number: F1T0EB5098A002

Project/Program Name:

SEA Multi-Element Probe Plus Option

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): $ 187,604.00

Type Program: Other Contracting

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1

Type J&A: Individual

Contracting Officer: ____________________________________________ Vernon N. Valigura, GS-12, DAFC AFLCMC/PZIOA

DSN: 872-0334 COM: (850) 882-0334

Project Lead / Program Manager: _____________________________ _______________

Jackie (Dwayne) Bell, Chief 782 TS/RNWP

DSN: 872-4610 COM: (850) 882-4610

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

The Contracting Activity is the Operational Contracting Flight, AFTC/PZIOA, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6862.

The 96th TW, specifically the McKinley Climatic Center (782 TS/RNWP) located and operated within the 96th TW. The Procuring Contracting Officer is Vernon N. Valigura. This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition. Purchase Request Number: F1T0EB5098A002.

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

The requirement will provide equipment through a firm-fixed contract with Science Engineering Associates, Inc. for two (2) SEA Multi-element Probes. The first unit will be purchased out right with all new components. The second will be purchased as an option to the contract but will be a partial trade in with the Government receiving a credit due to some of the parts being reused and upgraded. They cannot be purchased at the same time due to ongoing tests in the McKinley Climatic Center as the current trade in is in current use and we would need to receive the new one to continue testing with no delay to the time line. Given the current tests going on it would cost the Government about $1M a day to stop the tests and provide the trade in items.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS

The components to be acquired under this contract:

The first all up system:

#400900 SEA HV WCM-2000 System $92,935.00 Includes: WCM-2000 Control System (400220)

WCM-2000 HV Power Supply (500221) WCM Probe (400201) WCM Power System High Voltage (400213) WCM Control Cable-1 (400230) (Stnd 10') WCM Control Cable-2 (400242) (Stnd 40') WCM Power Cable-3 (400253) Stnd 40')

#400201 SEA Multi-element Water Content Sensor Head (Spare) $13,130.00 #400260 SEA WCM Strut Probe Mount – McKinley $7,500.00 #400261 SEA WCM Strut Probe Mount Temperature Controller $2,300.00 #400262 SEA WCM Strut Temperature Communication Cable (150") $935.00 #400263 SEA WCM Strut Temperature Probe End Cable (30') $250.00 #999 Extension Cost for 400230 from 10' to 20' $640.00 #999 Extension Cost for 400242 from 40' to 150' $2,280.00 #999 Extension Cost for 400253 from 40' to 150' $2,280.00 Storage Case $516.00X2 $1,032.00 Estimated Shipping Charges $650.00

The Option second trade in/upgrade unit:

#400900 SEA HV WCM-2000 System $92,935.00 Includes: WCM-2000 Control System (400220)

WCM-2000 HV Power Supply (500221) WCM Probe (400201) WCM Power System High Voltage (400213) WCM Control Cable-1 (400230) (Stnd 10') WCM Control Cable-2 (400242) (Stnd 40') WCM Power Cable-3 (400253) Stnd 40')

#400261 SEA WCM Strut Probe Mount Temperature Controller $2,300.00

#400262 SEA WCM Strut Temperature Communication Cable (150") $935.00 #400263 SEA WCM Strut Temperature Probe End Cable (30') $250.00 #999 Extension Cost for 400230 from 10' to 20' $640.00 #999 Extension Cost for 400253 from 40' to 150' $2,280.00

Storage Case $516.00X2 $1,032.00 Estimated Shipping Charges $650.00

The Government Provided Equipment that the Government will be getting credit for on the option to buy:

#400201 SEA Multi-element Water Content Sensor Head $-13,130.00 #999 Extension for 150’ 400240 towards converting to 150’400242 $-720.00 #400210 SEA Multi-Element Power Box $-13,500.00 #400220 SEA Multi-Element Control Box $-9,500.00

Temperature Controller and RUI $-500.00

TOTAL COST: $187,604.00

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

10 USC 3304(c)(1) or 41 USC 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(1).

Only Science Engineering Associates, Inc. produces the needed acceptable components. It is in best interest of the Government this vendor be used for purchasing this material.

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF

THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY)

The McKinley Climatic Laboratory is the world’s largest climatic test facility. Nearly every type of weather found in nature can be simulated in the facility on full-scale, operational equipment, including airplanes, helicopters, and jet engines. Several types of icing conditions are currently simulated; specifically ground fog and high speed in-flight icing. These icing conditions are composed of super cooled liquid droplets (droplets that are colder than 32 deg F, but are not frozen into ice). There are aircraft safety regulations regarding icing which includes mixed phase (some liquid, some ice crystals) and fully glaciated (all ice crystals) clouds. MCL currently has a capability to create these kinds of conditions, but will ultimately need to either modify existing icing equipment, or design and fabricate new icing equipment in order to create the needed environment.

Even with the latest technology, there are only two instruments known in the world which attempt to measure these cloud parameters in-situ inside icing clouds; the Russian developed Skytec Nevzorov Probe and the American developed Science Engineering Associates Multi-element Probe. They both used heated wire elements to catch, melt, and evaporate cloud particles. Then by using true airspeed, barometric pressure, and static air temperature, the wire power consumption may be correlated to the appropriate cloud parameters. The Nevzorov uses a single wound wire element in a forward facing conical configuration for liquid plus ice measurements and a single wound wire element for liquid measurements. The SEA probe uses a single element in a forward facing half cylinder configuration for liquid plus ice measurements and dual smooth wire elements for liquid measurements.

In February 2005, the PWC 980 APU was tested at MCL. One of the test points to be attempted was a freeze out of a typical icing cloud in an attempt to evaluate the APU performance in a fully glaciated cloud. Since MCL did not own an instrument that could measure such a cloud, a Nevzorov probe was rented. Upon initial assembly, the probe provided erroneous readings which did not make sense (there is no such thing as a liquid water content measurement with a negative value). A number of phone conversations were made while the technical representative attempted to help us troubleshoot the problem and eventually (after several days) he had us actually rewiring components inside the controller.

Following his instructions very carefully did allow the probe to begin showing readings that were at least indicating positive liquid water content values, and MAY have been correct (could not be verified).

However, during checkouts after the rewiring, the probe suddenly stopped working. The sensor head itself (which is exposed in the icing cloud) had exploded and totally disintegrated. We have never been able to determine whether the cause was from an electrical overload or whether it was destroyed by impact from a piece of ice (which is unavoidable in our simulation environment). Either case is unacceptable. MCL reimbursed the company for the cost of a replacement sensor head.

Since 2003, MCL has used a Johnson-Williams Liquid Water Content sensor from Science Engineering Associates with excellent results. This probe has provided accurate, reliable readings since initial setup and it has proven to be exceptionally robust (it has survived many, many ice impacts with no damage).

The new Multi-element Total Water Content sensor is a very similar design and is, in fact, an extension of the same technology.

In addition to having proven reliability and survivability in our icing environments, there are a number of other features which make the SEA sensor more appropriate for our application. The Nevzorov probe has a single liquid sense element while the SEA probe has dual liquid sense elements. This is important because the same median volume diameter (MVD - another crucial measurement of icing clouds) can result from an infinite number of particle size distributions and it has been shown that having multiple liquid sense elements is useful in providing an indication that the particle size distribution is consistent.

This occurs because the readings from the sense elements is dependent on the collection efficiency which is a function of velocity, sense wire size, AND droplet size. Ultimately, due to the interception and retention characteristics, the ratio of the dual element sensor wire powers provides an indication that the particle size distribution for a given MVD is being repeated (i.e. indirectly it shows that the desired cloud is consistently being duplicated).

Additionally, the SEA system provides automatic identification of the sense head that has been installed and automatically loads the stored calibration coefficients for that sense head. Our systems are always purchased with a backup sense head so that testing is not compromised should a sense head be damaged. All sense heads have slightly different calibration coefficients. In the event that the wrong sense head were accidentally installed, the SEA system will automatically detect that and make the appropriate compensations.

Also, both Nevzorov and SEA systems are subject to measurement errors primarily caused by two phenomena; mass loss caused by large ice crystals bouncing off the sense elements rather than being melted and evaporated (which occurs for both systems), and small ice crystals getting wedged between the wound wires of the Nevzorov probe, potentially changing its collection efficiency (which does not occur for the SEA smooth wire elements). Over the last several years, NASA, FAA, and various companies have attempted to characterize the magnitude of these errors. It appears that the SEA smooth wire elements are much less susceptible to these phenomena, having sensitivity of approximately only 1% (whereas the Nevzorov sensitivity is believed to be as high as 10-15%).

In summary, the Nevzorov probe has been used by MCL with undesirable outcome. The system was never able to be operated successfully, zero data was gathered, and the system was totally destroyed almost immediately in our simulation environment. On the other hand, an SEA instrument (of nearly identical design to the Multi-element probe) has been use for the last 12 years with outstanding success.

It is used today for every single icing test and is crucial for all our icing work. The SEA designs have demonstrated exceptional reliability, accuracy, and have proved without a shadow of a doubt that they are extremely robust and are able to withstand multiple ice impacts without damage. The SEA muli-element system is far more appropriate to meet the needs of MCL.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

Market research was conducted for this acquisition to include Google searches, speaking with other industry professionals, and other climatic labs, along with NASA to determine if another manufacturer could provide this multi-element probe. No other vendors were located other than the 2 known sources.

Contact with the NASA indicates that the manufacturer SEA has provided services to NASA. As of January 2015, the NASA Icing Research Tunnel (IRT), which is the premier icing facility in the entire world, has adopted this instrument as the reference for all tunnel LWC calibrations. In addition to the testing mentioned in section V above of the Nevzorov system.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer anticipates the cost to the Government is to be fair and reasonable based on price analysis in accordance with FAR 6.303-2(b)(7). All proposals will be evaluated by the government technical representatives prior to award.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT

CONDUCTED

See section VI above.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

The Contracting Officer anticipates the cost to the Government is to be fair and reasonable. All proposals will be evaluated by the government technical representatives prior to award.

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION

See Section VI above.

XI. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO

REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING

SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITIONS FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

McKinley Climatic Center (782 TS/RNWP) will continue to monitor the industry through perusal of trade journals, technical symposiums, and contact with industry representatives. Any future requirements will be researched and if a product meeting the requirements is identified then a competitive acquisition for the requirement will be considered.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12)).

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signatures on the Coordination and Approval Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete (FAR 6.303-2(b)).