19QT010_Sole_Source_FAR_13_redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

25 May 2018 Page 1 of 4

NOTE: If a Justification was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved Justification for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant Justification. This applies to Justification staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor Justification will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Funding level for this acquisition: >SAT and < $700K > $700K and < $13.5M

Contracting Activity: 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick AFB, FL 32925

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: F3KTK79025A001

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM)

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other Contracting

Authority: AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2304a, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): Justification Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

22 Apr 2019

Program Manager / Requiring Activity Rebecca Albo

AFTAC/SDBC, 321-494-

Signature

Date

22 Apr 2019

Contracting Officer Iris Dagani

45 CONS/PKB, 321-494-

Signature

Date

30 Apr 2019

Flight Chief, Installation Support Jose Plasencia

45 CONS/PKB, 321-494

Signature

Date

06 May 2019

Competition Advocate Marco A. Mendez

45 CONS/CD, 321-494

Signature

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

16 May 2019

Chief of the Contracting Office (COCO) JASON M. HOLMAN, Lt Col, USAF

45 CONS/CC, 321-494-

Signature

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

25 May 2018 Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

Iris Dagani 45th Contracting Squadron Patrick AFB, FL 32925

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

The 24th Analysis Squadron (24 ANS), branch of the 709th Surveillance and Analysis Group (709 SAG) at the Air Force Technical Application Center (AFTAC) request the sole source acquisition of a TESCAN MIRA3 FE-SEM with SharkSEM automated software on a firm fixed priced purchase order using procurement/investment (3080) funding available on purchase request number F3KTK79025A001.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

24 ANS requires a computer-controlled Variable Pressure Schottky Field Emission (FE) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with the following minimum requirements:

- Compatibility with SharkSEM application programming interface (API) protocol algorithms

- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Rotating Chord Algorithm functionality

- Fully motorized compucentric 5-axis stage

- Ability to maintain scan linearity at all scanning magnifications

- High quality imaging of non-conductive materials

Training: One on-site training class at the Government's location and three additional "SEM school" training classes at the contractor's site must be included to provide adequate understanding and hands on experience.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

There are multiple manufacturers and models that can meet the measurement and performance standards required by AFTAC. However, only the TESCAN MIRA3 LMU has the software and algorithm functionality needed to meet mission requirements.

The existing automated particle analysis system from ASPEX Corporation is reaching the end of its lifecycle and requires replacement. In order to meet quality control and analysis requirement, an SEM for automated particle analysis using an FE source in order to perform preliminary analysis of environmental samples in their International Standards Organization (ISO) 14644-1 (ISO-4) or Class 10 (Federal Standard 209E Equivalent) cleanroom.

To meet these quality standards and controls, the data must be transferred to NIST for analysis and tracking. Because the data and information received from (and provided to) NIST must also allow for compatibility with AFTAC's system, the NIST Rotating Chord Algorithm (RCA) extension was developed to provide rapid and flexible automated particle/ feature search and analysis functionality.

In 2010, NIST began an AFTAC-sponsored program to develop an improved SEM for automated particle analysis. This instrument would use a field emission source, multiple x-ray detectors, and an optimized stage for improved performance over the previously deployed automated instruments used in AFTAC laboratories. This effort led to the selection of the TESCAN MIRA3 and development of a customized automated particle analysis interface (SharkSEM API) and controls software (SEMantics) provided by NIST.

The SharkSEM API software was developed for tracking, analyzing, and measuring data, samples and techniques to

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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25 May 2018 Page 3 of 4 identify standards, protocols, and improvements to existing evaluation tools. The NIST RCA extension and the SharkSEM API software work together so AFTAC can provide data to NIST that will allow them to complete the protocols and process improvements with these tools. Without this software, SEMantics reports cannot be produced or read by AFTAC or NIST.

Per the statement provided by Mr. Anthony D. Owens, the Director of Technology at TESCAN, on 29 Jan 19, they are the sole distributor of TESCAN-branded equipment in the United States and do not have any authorized resellers.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

A sources sought was posted on FedBizOpps on 15 Jan 19 and closed on 4 Feb 19, with only one response received from the manufacturer, TESCAN.

Additionally, a notice of award to a sole source will be posted in accordance with FAR 5.301 to notify others who may have an interest in future similar requirements.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Methods available under FAR 13.106-3(a)(2) will be used to determine price fairness and reasonableness and shall be documented prior to award.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

A sources sought was posted on FedBizOpps on 15 Jan 19 and closed on 4 Feb 19, with only one response received from the manufacturer, TESCAN.

Per the statement provided by Mr. Anthony D. Owens, the Director of Technology at TESCAN, on 29 Jan 19, they are the sole distributor of TESCAN-branded equipment in the United States and do not have any authorized resellers.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The original NIST contract (DOCSB1341-10-SU-1106) was awarded to TESCAN after a full and open competition using simplified acquisition procedures as a commercial service to develop the software interface to support the unique AFTAC particle analysis requirements. The SharkSEM API is free of charge to all TESCAN customers and includes Python language scripting/library support, as well as support for advanced/extended functionalities on systems so equipped.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

TESCAN USA Inc.

765 Commonwealth Drive, Ste 101 Warrendale, PA 15086

DUNS/CAGE: 189489990/0FX68

SAM Expiration: 01/02/20 Business Size: Large (foreign ownership - Czech Republic)

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.

None at this time.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

25 May 2018 Page 4 of 4

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.