17Q0008_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-70270015

Project/Program Name: Spatial Distributions and Particle Structures of In-Bowl Soot in A Diesel Engine

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options): $98,842

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

This project aims to enhance fundamental understanding of soot distributions and particle structures within the flame inside the piston-bowl of the diesel engine. The outcomes will directly support US Army Research Laboratory's current effort on laser-based imaging diagnostics of diesel combustion and provide additional capability of soot particles sampling and structure analysis.

This project will perform complementary diagnostics of planar laser-induced incandescence (PLII) imaging and in-flame particles sampling in an optical diesel engine. Planar laser-induced fluorescence of fuel and hydroxyl (fuel-/OH-PLIF) will also be performed to provide additional information about the mixture conditions and high-temperature reaction zones surrounding the soot clouds. The laser-based images will be post-processed to obtain temporal and spatial evolution of soot during the main combustion event at which the formation and oxidation occur simultaneously. The thermophoresis-based soot particles sampling and subsequent image analysis with transmission electron microscopes will be used to show particle structures of both aggregates and primaries as well as nano-scale internal patterns. Detailed soot size and structural information can help understand the stage of soot formation and oxidation and the status of particle reactivity within the flame. The state-of-the-art of this technique is the direct sampling of soot particles from the flame developing within the piston-bowl, enabling the direct comparison between the laser-imaged sooting flame and micro-/nano-scale particle structures. These diagnostics have never been combined in the literature. The laser-based imaging diagnostics will be performed for various crank angles covering the entire combustion stages and thereby showing both the spatial and temporal development of sooting flames. The soot sampling locations will be varied so that the temporal evolution of particle structures can be visualized as the flame develops within the piston bowl. How this changes with the fuel injection conditions will be investigated to demonstrate the practical value of the new diagnostic capabilities.

The duration of this Research and Development is 12 months with an option for an additional 12 months. This acquisition will be a firm-fixed price purchase order in the amount of $49,421 for the basic period and $49,421 for the option 1 period, the total amount of $98,842.

The proposed contractor is: (the principal investigator (PI)) A/Prof Shawn Kook School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Room 402E, Ainsworth Building (J17), Gate 14, Barker Street, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia Tel: +61 2 9385 4091 Fax: +61 2 9663 1222 Email: s.kook@unsw.edu.au

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source

ITC-PAC program manager Dr. Robert Kania, found this project from a lead given to him by Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Command (TARDEC)/Army Research Lab (ARL) Vehicle Technology Directorate (VTD)researchers while he was searching areas of his expertise for potential sources of basic research. Dr. Kook and his group have exceptional expertise in soot distributions and particle structures within the flame inside the piston-bowl of the diesel engines and have developed unique test equipment and facilities. This research is the only source directly relevant and related to the current efforts being worked by ARL as identified by ARL’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) Kenneth Kim. Dr. Kook, and his team plan to investigate soot formation process in a diesel engine utilizing a very unique approach. Previous studies of investigating soot formation found in literatures lack either providing detailed particle structures or spatial distribution with limited measurement points in a combustion chamber are of great interest to ARL-VTD.

This funding is for research and development project titled “Spatial Distributions and Particle Structures of In-Bowl Soot in A Diesel Engine”. Because this project will feature the latest scientific innovation in this field studied on unique lab equipment, there is no parallel value to be found in the commercial sector. ITC-PAC certifies the price of $50,280 for the first year, with an additional $50,279 for the option, as a fair and reasonable for this type of project. This certification is based on the following facts:

The funds will be used to support research and development efforts at the University of New South Wales, by Shawn Kook with collaborate work with Army Research Labs (ARL) in Aberdeen, MD. The cost estimates are as follows:

Basic Period Grad. Student Labor $20,214 Post Doc. Researcher Labor $21,113 Equip. & Facilities $758 Material and Consumables Charge $909 Travel cost $2,766 University Overhead @ 8% $3,661 Total: $,49,421

Option 1 Period Grad. Student $20,214 Post Doc. Researcher $21,113 Equip. & Facilities $758 Material and Consumables Charge $909 Travel cost $2,766 University Overhead @ 8% $3,661 Total: $49,421

The above-mentioned cost is based on the following and considered to be fair and reasonable.

• Graduate Student Labor are for:

Graduate Student scholarship stipend in lieu of Research assistance (Full time).

[Details provided in attachments: Budget Details.docx]

Total expenses Graduate Student Labor = $20,214 These expenses for Graduate Student Labor are fair and reasonable.

• Post-Doctoral Research Assistant Labor are for:

Postdoc level A step 6 at $84,451/yr, 3 months per year.

[Details provided in attachments: Budget Details.docx]

Total expenses Post-Doctoral Research Assistant Labor = $21,113 These expenses for Post Doc Labor are fair and reasonable.

• Equipment & Facilities are for:

UNSW Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) Unit will provide access to their TEMs at a very competitive rate of $30.32/hr including the training of the graduate student and postdoc.

[Details provided in attachments: Budget Details.docx]

Total expenses Equipment & Facilities = $758

• Material and supplies are for:

The TEM grids for the proposed soot sampling experiments are required for this project. Costs are estimated based on ordering equipment from our usual suppliers and from costs associated with similar projects currently being run at UNSW.

[Details provided in attachments: Budget Details.docx]

Total expenses Material and supplies are = $909

• Travel costs are for:

PI will visit US Army Research Laboratory at the conclusion of each of basic and option 1 period to report the outcomes and share the newly developed diagnostics skills and how to implement them on ARL lab equipment.

[Details provided in attachments: Budget Details.docx]

Total cost for travel = $2,766

• University Overhead Costs are for:

UNSW Sydney charges 8% indirect costs on U.S. Federally funded grants to cover costs associated with preparing the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-133 audit.

Total expenses for University Overhead are = $3,661 These expenses for overhead are fair and reasonable and in-line with what other universities in Australia charge.

The Government will receive deliverables such as:

• Project Proposal

• Project Interim Report

• Project Final Report

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

ITC-PAC program manager Dr. Robert Kania, found this project from a lead given to him by TARDEC/ARL researchers while he was searching areas of his expertise for potential sources of basic research. Dr. Kook and his group have exceptional expertise in soot distributions and particle structures within the flame inside the piston-bowl of the diesel engines and have developed unique test equipment and facilities.

This research is the only source directly relevant and related to the current efforts being worked by Army Research Lab (ARL) as identified by ARL’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) Kenneth Kim. Dr. Kook, and his team plan to investigate soot formation process in a diesel engine utilizing a very unique approach. Previous studies of investigating soot formation found in literatures lack either providing detailed particle structures or spatial distribution with limited measurement points in a combustion chamber. are of great interest to ARL-VTD. Dr. Shawn Kook is the only source identified expressing interest in developing proof of concept studies on this research and development project.

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 3 Mar 2017

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Certifying Official

KENNETH EVENSEN

Director, US ARMY ITC-PAC

Signature of Certifying Official

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