Redacted Combined RECAP JA.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

J&A No. 11-J13

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

a. Requiring Activity: Air Force Technical Applications Center/TTX Stephen C. Hart 1030 South Highway A1A Patrick AFB, FL 32925 321-494-9094

b. Procuring Activity: AF ISR Agency/A7KRA

1030 South Highway A1A Patrick AFB, FL 32925-3238

c. Purchase Request Number: F3KTK81173A002; F3KTK81160AG01;

F3KTK61104A001

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

This sole source justification is to procure data acquisition system components and associated hardware (i.e. cables, licenses) listed in the attached bill of materials all from Science Horizon, Inc (SHI) for a recapitalization effort. The purchase will be made against SHI’s GSA contract number GS-07F-014T; the prices for these items have already been established on the contract.

This equipment will be used to perform a data acquisition system upgrade of the seismic arrays in Korea, Vanda, 06X, Flin Flon, Thailand, Australia, Romania, 09X, 49X and Mongolia/ Kazakhstan. The signal obtained through the data acquisition system is then relayed via the communications network back to AFTAC and greatly contributes to the United States Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS) seismic network. The cost estimate is $4,221,218.19.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS

In 2002, as an alternative to the Science Application International Corporation (SAIC) Seismic Data Acquisition System (SDAS), SHI data acquisition systems were approved by Aeronautical System Center (ASC) as a suitable alternative due to delays on the SDAS system. This system was installed at eight stations in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2005, once it was decided that SDAS was no longer viable, a panel of experts was convened by ASC to look at alternative systems. It was decided at that time that only SHI equipment met both national and international requirements. (Please reference the supporting documentation attached at appendix A for a more complete explanation and analysis of the evaluated alternatives.) SHI equipment has now been installed at 30 seismic locations and six hydroacoustic stations. All the components of a digital acquisition suite must work together; therefore, the components in any array must come from the same manufacturer. You cannot mix components from different manufacturers, i.e., you cannot substitute a Geotech Station Processor into an array made up of SHI equipment, just as you cannot put a Ford carburetor in a Chevrolet engine. Since all sites currently have SHI digital acquisition suites, components may be swapped out on a 1-for-1 basis – entire suites do not need to be replaced. The intent is to continue the upgrade of the USAEDS Enhancement project using the SHI equipment suite. The following is the equipment being purchased for this buy.

a. Station Processor and License Files: Self-contained data forwarding and processing workstation designed for both remote and local operation of a seismic array. Provides a reliable way to forward data from a remote array to a National Data Center, International Data Center, or other host as specified. Interfaces directly with Science Horizons' Communications Interface Module (CIM), collecting data and buffering it on a local disk. The data is then converted to one or more stream formats. Supports the Center for Monitoring Research (CMR) CD-1.0 and CD-1.1 formats, allowing the processor to send data to any NDC or IDC supporting Science Horizons' DCC or CMR's Discloop Manager Software. It is also capable of forwarding raw Discloop data to another processor.

b. Downhole Field Station (DH-1, DH-3): The digitizer produces 24 bits of digital data from up to three channels of analog data. It resides with the sensor, usually part of an AQUINAS® array, enclosed in rugged containers for placement in a 4” borehole. Each digitizer requires a GPS receiver and a modem, which sends the data to the Communications Interface Module (CIM 3). It is comprised of a 24-bit analog-to-digital converter, an 18-bit calibration channel, a temperature-compensated voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) phase-locked to global positioning system (GPS) time, an Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA-232) configuration port, 256 flash erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), 512 KB SRAM (up to 8 MB SRAM in the AIM24S-3 model), and a user-configurable sample rate from 4 samples per second to 2560 samples per second. It has a high-speed EIA-232 or EIA-422 interface supporting synchronous or asynchronous Advanced Data Communication Control Procedures (ADCCP) communications. It is designed for very low noise performance at low frequencies, for application with broad-band seismometers and to provide up to three input channels.

c. Firmware: Firmware is the software contained onboard a device that operates the basic functions of the device. It can be changed and upgraded independently of the physical hardware of the device. Firmware upgrade only.

d. Authenticator (AIMA-PC): The AIMA-PC is a co-processor for the AIM24S series of digitizers and the Station Processor. The AIMA-PC uses a Fortezza PC Card for sensitive operations (private key storage and signature calculation). The Fortezza Card is certified to FIPS 140-1 Level 2, which ensures a level of performance and security for basic authentication operations. The AIMA-PC receives data from the AIM24S or Station Processor and produces digital signatures that are sent back for inclusion in the data stream.

e. DCC Workstation: The Data Collection Center workstation resides at the national and/or International data centers. It receives CD1.1 data from the Station Processor, archives the data, monitors the operations of the AQUINAS® system, and provides off-line data analysis, editing, and segmentation.

f. CIM 3: The CIM 3 is the communications interface between the field station and the local command and control. The CIM 3 provides multipoint and multidrop array control over standard radio modems, a more flexible TCP/IP connection that can be routed over longer distances, and a flexible network appliance using high-integration components with the power of the Linux Operating System. Important features of the CIM 3 include verification of remote commands, one diagnostic RS-232 port, and an Intel PXA (StrongArm) processor. The compact, multipurpose CIM 3 is the only COTS product that both satisfies current treaty monitoring requirements and provides a standard software development platform that will be able to easily satisfy future requirements.

g. Printer, SP Authentication Cable: Peripheral devices must be compatible with system hardware and software and is tested during Factory Acceptance Testing or engineering compatibility testing.

h. External Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Tape Drive with Cable: Peripheral devices must be compatible with system hardware and software and is tested during Factory Acceptance Testing or engineering compatibility testing.

i. Modem Cable, Down hole Cable Set: Down hole Cable Set consisting of: - Power

Connection Cable - Configuration/Intrusion Cable - GPS Connection Cable - Configuration Cable - Data Connection Cable - AMIA-PC Connection Cable. Current GSA pricing is $4,936.75 each for a down hole cable set.

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

10 USC 2304(c), as implemented by FAR 6.303-1(a)(2); only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements.

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF

THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY)

(1) SHI is the only responsible source currently capable of providing the highly specialized equipment suite. The system is a combination of proprietary software and hardware designed to collect, monitor, and analyze field seismic data. Equipment within the suite currently meets the international community certification requirements and has gone through extensive waveform characterization, equipment type certifications, and calibration comparison testing. These test and certifications are critical to ensure compliance with both AFTAC’s and the International Monitoring Systems basic detection and reporting requirements. (Reference appendix A for a comparison table of various DAS systems examined.) The data also is critical to AFTAC’s mission and to ensure worldwide compliance of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The sustainment support elements for this equipment is established to include configuration management, sustainment engineering, field and depot maintenance, technical documentation, engineering drawing packages, and training. This unique requirement to monitor field seismic data lead to a very small commercial base to select from of which SHI is currently the only vendor to meet all the requirements outlined in this justification. A standard configuration must be maintained for the 35 stations across 7 continents where this equipment is installed.

Therefore, this acquisition is for continued sustainment of a highly specialized equipment suite.

(2) As the International Monitoring System’s primary field seismic analysis equipment integrator, SHI is the sole responsible source and US developer of software and hardware to collect, monitor, and analyze field seismic data that currently has been verified as meeting all AFTAC requirements for borehole seismometers. In addition SHI is the only contractor capable of integrating data produced by US and providing the necessary authentication capability required as part of the International Monitoring System’s requirements. In order to use the existing data and equipment standards for field seismic system collection, monitoring, and analysis as well as maintain required configuration control SHI’s proprietary hardware and software needs to be used as the data acquisition system.

(3) AFTAC’s critical mission is supported by highly specialized equipment and cannot afford to deal with untested equipment and data standards. AFTAC believes there would be a substantial duplication of cost to the government with unacceptable delays in fulfilling AFTAC requirements through open competition. Open competition would require vendors to provide a certifiable seismic system that meets international requirements and comply with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, also any seismic system chosen must have an authentication capability. Equipment certification is performed by Sandia National Labs, where extensive waveform characterization and type certification of each major component of the system is performed. Certification costs for a new vendor are anticipated to cost $250K, and take between 6-9 months to complete. Following certification the equipment is normally placed in a real world test scenario and monitored for 1 year. A one-year test is crucial to ensure equipment meet mission reliability requirement and to perform calibration comparisons on the equipment as it goes through seasonal changes. This testing should cost approximately $50K. Changes to current configuration would require an additional analytical review of data quality and timeliness to ensure compliance with International Monitoring System and AFTAC mission requirements. Logistics and supportability elements would need to be revamped to support a different equipment suite, impacting sustainment engineering, field and depot maintenance, documentation, and training. The total delay would most likely extend between 3-5 years depending on the outcome of the certification testing and the life cycle and product support planning and implementation.

The total cost would be on the order of $275K for the test phase of the certification alone.

These delays in procurement would drastically impact AFTAC’s ability to sustain the current system and ultimately cripple AFTAC’s mission to ensure worldwide compliance of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

(4) Accordingly, Science Horizons, Inc is the only firm capable of providing the supplies described in Section III above, to include the necessary authentication capability required for international monitoring community, without the U.S. Air Force experiencing unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

There is only one responsible source. No efforts can be made to solicit competition from other sources as the existing software that collects, monitors, and analyzes field seismic data is SHI proprietary. The Air Force Technical Applications Center and the International Monitoring System both utilize this SHI proprietary software. In addition the current equipment data standard follows a carefully calibrated data path through equipment that had to be standardized and certified by both the international monitoring community as well as Sandia National Laboratories.

AF ISR Agency/A7KRA published a sole source synopsis, solicitation number FA702210TBD, for identical SHI equipment in the FedBizOpps on July 9, 2010. The government stated it would consider any responses from capable sources received within 10 days after the date of publication of the synopsis. While one response was received, Geotech Instruments LLC, it was deemed not capable in meeting the requirements of the effort due to configuration control and equipment compatibility issues. Since this synopsis was posted a year ago, a new synopsis will be publicized in FedBizOpps at www.fbo.gov for 15 days in accordance with FAR 5.2.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

In accordance with FAR 6.303-2(a)(7) the Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable, based on previously negotiated GSA prices under SHI GSA contract number GS-07F-014T.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT

CONDUCTED

Science Horizons, Inc AQUINAS Digital Field Station Hardware Components. PO Box 758 12505 Mason Rd., Licking, Mo 65542, phone: 573-674-3036 (Local address: 1333 Gateway drive, Suite 1028, Melbourne Fl, 32901, phone: 321-951-0700) is the only manufacture/brand name which will meet our current mission requirements.

(1) A small business search was conducted of NAICS code 334519 – Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing using keywords ‘seismic equipment’, ‘digitizers’, and ‘station processors’. Geoteh Instruments LLC and Cyberware Laboratory Inc. were returned as results from this search. Geotech Instruments LLC was deemed not capable as described in Section VI above. Cyberware Laboratory Inc. develops equipment to scan the surface of the human body, not seismic events, and is determined to be not capable.

(2) An internet search was conducted keying on seismic equipment, digitizers for seismic equipment, and station processors for seismic equipment. This search failed to result in finding another manufacturer that produced all the required equipment. Additionally, the search failed to find a manufacturer that produced any component which would meet AFTAC and international monitoring community requirements.

(3) AF ISR Agency/A7KRA published a sole source synopsis for identical SHI equipment in the FedBizOpps on July 9, 2010. The government stated it would consider any responses from capable sources received within 10 days after the date of publication of the synopsis. While one response was received, Geotech Instruments LLC, it was deemed not capable in meeting the requirements of the effort due to configuration control and equipment compatibility issues.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

(1) Historically the AFTAC requirement for a traditional borehole seismic station has been to configure the system with a down hole digitizer and seismometer. To meet International Monitoring System (IMS) requirements and comply with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, any seismic system chosen must also have an authentication capability. During the timeframe of 2000-2005, the only two systems that met both the down hole and authentication requirements were SAIC’s Seismic Data Acquisition System (SDAS) and the Science Horizon (SHI) System. The SHI system had been under development since the mid 1990s, while the SDAS system had been unsuccessfully deployed as part of the IMS. A first SDAS system was originally planned for installation in September 2001 but due to developmental delays AFTAC was not able to meet its stated installation schedule.

Due to mounting pressure on AFTAC from the international community to meet its commitments to provide a certifiable seismic system that meets international requirements, a source selection was held in 2003 to select an alternative to SDAS. This selection was chaired by Dr. Pres Harrington of Sandia National Labs and was overseen by ASC contracting (DET 3 out of AFMC at Wright Paterson AFB). The result of the source selection was the selection of the SHI data acquisition suite as the only field tested system that met all AFTAC down hole requirements. The ensuing plan installed and subsequently upgraded Science Horizons equipment at all critical down hole seismic sites over the course of the next few years. Currently, to maintain proper configuration control of AFTAC systems, only SHI data acquisition equipment may be installed. Further, SHI data acquisition systems are the only type of system that allows for down hole authentication capability, a requirement for IMS stations.

2) All the components of a digital acquisition suite must work together; therefore, the components in any array must come from the same manufacturer. You cannot mix components from different manufacturers, i.e., you cannot substitute a Geotech Station Processor into an array made up of SHI equipment, just as you cannot put a Ford carburetor in a Chevrolet engine. Since all sites currently have SHI digital acquisition suites, components may be swapped out on a 1-for-1 basis – entire suites do not need to be replaced. In the example of Table 1 (above), a single SHI CIM 3 could be replaced at a cost of $12,085.16.

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION

See Section VI above.

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

Currently R&D efforts are being pursued for the next generation system. A research array is being developed at the Pinedale Wyoming seismic research site. The intent of this research array is to perform system level integration testing. One goal of this testing is to potentially qualify additional seismic equipment suites for consideration as alternatives to current technical solutions. The DAS suite will be a part of the systems evaluated. During this effort other companies and equipment are being evaluated in an attempt to foster vendor competition. The vendors must meet strict equipment standards and United Nation’s Provisional Technical Secretariat as well as Sandia National Laboratories certification requirements.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The Contracting Officer's signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that he has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his knowledge and belief (FAR 6.303-2(b)(12)).

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signatures all the Coordination and Approval Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete (FAR 6.303-2(b)).

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL DOCUMENT

(also known as Justification Review Document)

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: AF ISR Agency/A7KRA

PROGRAM: TT RECAP

DESCRIPTION: SHI Equipment – Seismic Array Systems Components/Hardware AUTHORITY: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 ESTIMATED CONTRACT COST (including options): $4,221,218.19 TYPE J&A: Individual

COORDINATION DATE

________________________ 27 Jul 2011

STEPHEN C. HART

AFTAC/TTX

DS854-9094

________________________ 27 Jul 2011

PATRICIA K. BOSINGER

Contracting Officer AF ISR Agency/A7KRA

DSN 854-0998

________________________ 4 Aug 2011

RICARDO ORONA

Chief of Contracting Office AF ISR Agency/A7KR

DSN 854-5067

________________________ 16 Aug 2011

MARTIN MCALWEE

45th Space Wing Judge Advocate Attorney-Advisor

DSN 854-7861

___________________________ 16 Aug 2011

PAUL BLACKWELL

AF ISR Agency Judge Advocate Attorney-Advisor

DSN 969-

___________________________ 16 Aug 2011

BRENDA W. DILLARD

Small Business Specialist AF ISR Agency/A7K

DSN 969-2453

APPROVED: DATE

____________________________ 16 Aug 2011

VERONICA SOLIS, GG-15, DAF

Chief, Contracting Division AF ISR Agency/A7K

DSN 969-2453