SSJ_FBO.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Section A: General Contract Information

Contracting Activity: U.S. Army International Technology Center Pacific (ITC-PAC)

Purchase Request / Identification Number: W90GQZ-61040026

Project/Program Name: Understanding Phonon-Based Contrast in Heterostructured Materials.

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options): $50,000 USD

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

This requirement is to provide financing in support of the research project titled “Understanding Phonon-Based Contrast in Heterostructured Materials” led by Dr. Paul Dastoor, University of Newcastle.

The project is to characterize the contrast mechanisms operating during scanning helium atom microscopy and to apply them to the imaging of organic electronic circuits and devices. Scanning helium atom microscopy is a new technique developed to use helium atoms as the probe of a surface instead of light or electrons as in other microscopy methods. The helium atoms interact with a much thinner layer of the surface than other methods, providing unique information not otherwise attainable. This project will deliver a unique imaging tool for imaging delicate soft materials at high resolution and with chemical contrast.

The main tasks of this project include the following milestones.

1. Milestone 1: Topographical heterostructure characterized.

2. Milestone 2: Chemical contrast of heterostructured materials variables characterized.

3. Milestone 3: Sub-surface imaging of heterostructured materials demonstrated.

Funding the proposed effort enables the proposed technology to be fully assessed against the Warfighter needs.

This acquisition will be a firm-fixed price purchase order in the amount of $50,000.

Duration of this Research and Development is one year (12 months).

The proposed contractor is:

Dr. Paul Dastoor University of Newcastle Physics University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia Phone: +61 2 4921 5426 E-Mail Address: paul.dastoor@newcastle.edu.au mailto:paul.dastoor@newcastle.edu.au

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source In evaluating the content of the Research and Development Program it has been determined that the research and development project will focus specifically on attainable means by which investigators from the Pacific Rim and the U.S. military research institutions may maximize collaborative effort in addressing the scientific challenges inherent in the topic.

Our endorsement and support for this project will help to attract attention to ITC-PAC’s presence (and for our outreach objectives) as well as to demonstrate the interest.

ITC-PAC Director of Material Science, Dr. Christopher Drew, found this project while searching areas of expertise for potential sources of basic research. He searched for all sources that they identified as technically capable and promising. He found that the primary/lead organization for this project is Dr. Paul Dastoor, University of Newcastle, who is considered a leading research scientist in the area of helium atom microscopy. University of Newcastle is the only source expressing interest in developing helium atom microscopy on this research and development project and the only source with the facilities, ideas and expertise.

This fund is for research and development project titled “Understanding Phonon-Based Contrast in Heterostructured Materials”. Because this project will feature the latest scientific innovation in this field, there is no parallel value to be found in the commercial sector. ITC-PAC certifies the price of $50,000 is fair and reasonable for this type of project when compared to similar projects of other Government agencies. This certification is based on the following facts:

The funds will be used to support research and development efforts at University of Newcastle by Dr Paul Dastoor. Cost estimates (in US dollars) are as follows:

Personnel cost $34,500 Material and lab operation $2,000 Equipment operation $2,500

Travel $1,000 University Overhead $10,000

Total: $50,000

The above mentioned costs are based on the following information. All costs are provided by the PI. Personnel costs are consistent with typical Australian salary ranges posted on the Australian Research Council website. Material and lab operation are priced within typical prices for chemical and material suppliers. All costs herein are considered to be fair and reasonable.

• Personnel Costs are for:

Post doctoral fellow for 0.40 man years: $34,500 for 12 months.

The post doc fellow will perform the experimental and evaluation work. Data analysis and report writing will also be done by the post doc. Based on the publicly available Australian salary data, this amount is commensurate with the proposed labor. Thus this amount is considered fair and reasonable.

Director of Material Science of ITC-PAC determines that $34,500 for all labor is sufficient based on the levels of effort.

• Material and Lab Operation are for Standard samples to study heterogeneous nature of substrate: $200 Cleanroom clothing(disposable), filters, and other supplies: $1,000 Microscope substrates: $300 Glassware and consumables: $500

A review of other contracts in Australia, as well as chemical supplier prices such as Sigma-Aldrich (www.sigmaaldrich.com), chemical equipment suppliers, such as VWR (www.vwr.com), all indicate these costs are typical for such a chemistry-based research project. Thus they are considered fair and reasonable.

• Equipment operation are for 25 samples for electron microscopy at the ANFF $2,500

A review of other contracts in Australia, indicate these costs are typical for such microscopy. Thus they are considered fair and reasonable.

• Travel Cost is for:

Travel for 1 trip for 1 person for 1 week within Australia from Newcastle to the ANFF in Melbourne. This cost is comparable to similar travel of government employees booked in DTS.

• Overhead Cost is for standard University of Newcastle overhead (https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/resources/grants/apply/preparing-research-budgets) on research funds (Attachment):

25% of other costs: $10,000. Overhead at Australian Universities is typically in this range.

The Government will receive deliverables such as:

• Project Proposal

• Project Interim Report

• Project Final Report

• Project Financial Report https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/resources/grants/apply/preparing-research-budgets https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/resources/grants/apply/preparing-research-budgets

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition ITC-PAC Director of Material Science, Dr. Christopher Drew, identified this project while reviewing current energetics chemistry research in the region. University of Newcastle has great experience with the technique at the center of this project necessary to conduct the experiments. Therefore, they are uniquely suited to perform this work. This research was the only direct source associated with a completed collaboration effort among ITC-PAC, ARL, and Dr. Paul Dastoor, University of Newcastle in the area of helium atom microscopy.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards This is a one-time purchase action, but ITC-PAC keeps searching areas of expertise for potential sources of basic research.

Section F: Determination Technical/Requirements Personnel’s Certification:

As evidenced by signature below, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein which is their responsibility is both accurate and complete.

Date Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Technical Personnel

KENNETH EVENSEN

Director, US ARMY ITC-PAC

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 Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer Signature of Contracting Officer