Tab_A10_J A.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Section A: General Contract Information

Contracting Activity: AFNWC/PZID Purchase Request/ Identification Number:

F2KBAD5049A101

Project/Program Name: AFRL/ Phillips Research Site Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

Under this effort, Lowell Digisonde International, LLC., will manufacture a model DPS-4D ionosonde and ship it to Kirtland Air Force Base. This system is designed to have fast scan rate, flexibility of operating modes, and allows passive observations to be made using transmissions from other DPS-4D and Nexion ionosondes operated by AFRL and AFWA, respectively. Both of these capabilities are crucial to several upcoming experiments including experiments conducted jointly under and International Cooperative Research and Development (ICR&D) project between the U.S. and U.K. Lowell Digisonde International, LLC.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source

To conduct multi-static RF propagation measurements, the system to be purchased must be fully compatible with existing DPS-4 and Nexion ionosondes operated by AFRL and AFWA. The DPS-4D unit requested fully meets these requirements and is capable of automatically synchronizing with the existing DPS-4 and Nexion sounders. No other commercially available ionospheric sounders are capable of synchronizing operations with the existing operational and research sounder networks operated by the Air Force. Recent experiments have required that we borrow compatible equipment from other organizations. In addition to preventing long-term operations, this also creates risk of experiment failure if the borrowed systems become unavailable. Also Lowell Digisonde International, LLC does not allow other companies to resell its products; it is the only provider for Quad Receiver Digisonde Portable Sounder.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Specific market research was not conducted, but as active researchers in the field we are well aware of the options for commercial ionosondes, and have participated in both funding and testing of competing systems.

No other commercially available ionosondes have the turn-key features of high-speed sounding and automatic oblique ionograms using signals from other systems that are standard in the DPS-4D systems requested.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards

We continually monitor developments in ionosonde technology and have even sponsored development of alternative ionosonde designs under SBIR contracts. None of these competing systems satisfy our requirements for ability to make remote synchronized ionograms using the operational AFWA Nexion ionosondes and AFRL's other existing DPS-4D ionosondes. There are no other commercially available ionosondes that provide turn-key oblique and high-speed ionogram capability and are compatible with the large network of existing systems operated by AFWA and AFRL.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

27-Mar-2015

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer

DENIS C. McGREW

Signature of Contracting Officer

Page of Section A: General Contract Information Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

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