ARC4_-_Single_Source_Justification__Redacted.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Section A: General Contract Information Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? NO Contracting Activity: 1 SOCONS/PKC Project/Program Name: ARC4 Clip-on-Heads-Up Situational Awareness Kit Purchase Request/ Identification Number: F2FT139249AW01 Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required AFSOC requires a wearable information systems solution that enables SOF personnel to acquire time-critical geo-spatial information with their heads-up and eyes-out on the environment. The type of system required shall enable SOF teams to perform tasks with high awareness of their surroundings, in close coordination with each other, and with enhanced safety and speed.

Augmented Reality, Command, Control, Communicate, Coordinate (ARC4) Clip-on-Heads-Up Situational Awareness Device mounts to the warfighter’s helmet rail and provides situational awareness through virtual icons overlaid on the real world as viewed through an optical display. The ARC-4 will increase speed, safety, and prevent possible fratricide by providing on-the-move navigation, tracking of air and ground assets, marking of points of interest to include targets and friendly positions in the battlespace. The ARC4 module melds already existing military equipment such as the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), radios, optical devices, into a working AR system. Thereby eliminating the “heads-down” posture created by chest-mounted devices.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source The ARC4 made by Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is the most mature and accurate augmented reality system on the market, as demonstrated by multiple operational assessments conducted by SOCOM, AFSOC, USASOC and PEO Soldier (reports on file). As such, the U.S. Army PM IVAS awarded ARA a sole-source contract, W91CRB19C0006, in January 2019 for unlimited ARC4 software rights to integrate the ARC4 software into current and future Army vision systems and/or device displays. Purchasing the ARC4 module will allow Special Tactics to remain compatible with other service components in the joint battlefield environment. In addition, AFSOC assessments to date successfully completed using with SOCOM ARC4 assets. The next phase requires ARC4 systems to be evaluate in order to ensure SOCOM compatibility.

The ARC4 interfaces to daytime see-through displays and night-vision goggles. The augmented reality in the ARC4 incorporates advanced head tracking sensors and algorithms, network management software, and an intuitive user interface to overlay iconic information on the operator’s environment.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition Market Research was conducted utilizing a sources sought notice to industry, the internet to include GSA search, review of the Army’s contract W91CRB19C0006, and the aforementioned operational assessments. Findings show that there is not another AR system, offering the same degree of accuracy or capability, which is at a comparable technology readiness level (TRL) as the ARC4. ARA was also contacted to find potential small business resellers/distributors. ARA confirmed there are no authorized resellers/distributors of the ARC4.

Additionally, it is not in the best interest of the government to seek AR software when it already owns unlimited rights to ARC4 software under the aforementioned Army contract.

The ARC4 module/kit is a hardware solution with the software preloaded by ARA. The existing Army ARC4 contract allows for integration support for current and future hardware and any required software upgrades.

Price Point: The ARC4 module is system agnostic, meaning the module is able to tie together existing equipment from multiple venders to construct an AR system. Other AR systems are proprietary in terms that all ancillary items must match the specific companies’ products, thus driving up the total cost for a less capable AR system.

A sources sought was issued on Federal Business Opportunities on 13 September 2019. One response was received from Applied Research Associates, Inc., the manufacturing company. ARA confirmed they are the sole provider of the requested items and do not have authorized resellers at this time.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards Through multiple means, AFSOC/720 STG will continue to monitor market information/sources and technical publications to determine whether other sources can meet our requirements or until USSOCOM or AF SW SPO establishes this system as a Program of Record, thus providing life-cycle sustainment. Currently, ARA does not have small business resellers for ARC4 supplies. However, ARA provides instructions on how to join their small business program for providing services and certain supplies to the Federal Government. https://www.ara.com/company-information#Federal-Contract-Vehicles

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 one source is reasonably available.

Date

20190919