Solar_Panel_Single_Source_Justification_REDACTED.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Page 1 of 1Updated: 9 Jun 16

Section A: General Contract Information

Contracting Activity: AFLCMC/PZIBB

Project/Program Name: CubeSat Solar Panels

Purchase Request/Identification Number:

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) seeks identical sets of solar panels for two (2) CubeSat units, a total of eight (8) solar panels. Each CubeSat unit shall require four (4) solar panels, two (2) small panels, and two (2) of the larger panels, both detailed in the below description. The CubeSat units have been designed to interface with custom made solar panels. The solar panels will be used for actual flight missions, which requires certain materials, manufacturing processes, and testing for space applications.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

- The custom design of our CubeSat requires specific electrical connectors, wire harnesses, power generation, dimensions, and mechanical interfaces. The CubeSat currently uses electrical board and connectors produced by Pumpkin, Inc., in order to assist in the timely installation and cohesion of functionality required for a precision CubeSat, it would be imperative to purchase Solar Panels that are also produced by Pumpkin, Inc.

- The solar panels requested by the requiring agency, are a Pumpkin Inc. product. To move forward and purchase this material will reduce lead time, reduce the required engineering communication between the Government and the contractor, and eliminate the uncertainty in the solar panels ability to be "plug-and-play" for our custom design, as they will already match the existing components installed on the CubeSat.

- The delivery/launch date of the CubeSat on which these solar panels will be integrated is December of 2020. In order to properly test the workmanship, electrical characteristics, and mechanical interfaces, we need to receive the panels at least 6 months before delivery.

Therefore in order to avoid further delay of the launch of the CubeSat, as well as to avoid cost increases due to engineering adjustments on both the Government and the Contractor's part, it is in the best interest of the Government to procure these Solar Panels from a single source, Pumpkin, Inc.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

SolAero was a vendor considered but their non-recurring engineering for any "Flight Panels" is very time consuming. "Flight Panels" mean these panels will be used on a satellite that will be launched into space. That requirement produces extra cost for additional vendor testing to label them "Flight Panels". When producing custom panels, this testing has to occur every time. If a vendor has already produced these panels, the testing is minimal, as they have already verified the panels can meet flight requirements. Due to the custom nature of this requirement it is best to utilize a proven vendor with track record of providing us with product that will perform as designed and will mate with other CubeSat materials to avoid any errors due to in-compatible parts.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

Design modifications could be made on future revisions of the CubeSat to eliminate the similarities to Pumpkin's Solar Panels. This would only be performed if the design modification is an improvement and/or benefits the CubeSat mission. Unfortunately any design modification would result in more dollars spent on a new research and development and require a Solar Panel that would be custom and also require additional funding. However, should this purchase be needed again, market research will again be conducted to see if changes have been made to accommodate Government's need.

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 a single source is reasonably available.

Date

04-Nov-2019

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer

Michael R. Bonham, GS-13

Signature of Contracting Officer

BONHAM.MICHAEL.R.1473776

Digitally signed by

BONHAM.MICHAEL.R.1473776797

Date: 2019.11.04 14:33:12 -05'00'