16r23_J A_Redacted.pdf

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL DOCUMENT

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Air Force Research Laboratory/RIK, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome

NY 13441-4514

PURCHASE REQUEST:

ITEM NAME: Microwave Radiometer

ESTIMATED CONTRACT COST:

TYPE PROGRAM: Supply

AUTHORITY: 10 USC 2304(c) (1) “Only one responsible source and no other supplies and services will satisfy agency requirements."

TYPE J&A: Individual

COORDINATION

Program Manager: _____________________________ ____________ Date Signed

Local Small Business Office: See DD Form 2579 for local Small Business Office approval.

APPROVED

Date Signed

CONTRACTING OFFICER

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Air Force Research Laboratory/RIK, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514, proposes to enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition.

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

AFRL/RITE requires a commercially available Microwave Radiometer with 4-channels to support ongoing research and development activity. This instrument has some very unique features such as: 1 s sampling rate, parallel data acquisition of all channels, beam width, software options for sun-tracking mode, etc.

These instruments are customized for the Government’s research needs. The Government purchased a similar instrument from RPG in 2012; therefore it can easily be integrated into the new RPG-LPR radiometers network with the other existing instruments. This justification is for a new Firm Fixed Price (FFP) supply purchase.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

The request for this system is based on the need to characterize the propagation channel for the development of W/V band satellite communication. The radiometer system will provide measurements of V and W band attenuation and liquid water path statistics. Failure to procure these radiometers would severely impact and jeopardize the success of ongoing research and development activity. The following items comprise all items:

1. Part number: 59000007, Qty. 2, Description: RPG-LWP-72-82-G4 Four-channel direct detection microwave radiometer with channels at 23.8 GHz, 31.4 GHZ, 72.5 GHz, and 82.5 GHz (bandwidth 230, 230, 2000, 2000 MHz).

2. Part Number: 41002000, Qty. 2, Description: Azimuth Positioner (for RPG-Std-MWR) including power supply for drive unit

3. Part Number: 41000004, Qty. 2, Description: IRR single-channel Single channel IRR with -150 °C sensitivity limit (for RPG Std. MWR)

4. Part Number: 41000008, Qty. 2, Description: IRR elevation-scanner Optional IRR elevation scanning motor drive (at time of order, for RPG-Std-MWR)

5. Shipping / Handling and insurance

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304(c) (1) 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)

The specifications listed in Section III include unique tolerances and ranges to the specifications of the Microwave Radiometer. ATS Meteorology USA Inc. is the only reseller in the US that offers the needed capabilities in a standard product requirement propagation channel for the development of V/W band satellite communication. The Sun-Switching mode of operation is required to provide calibration of attenuation retrieval algorithms. Multiple radiometers are needed to: (1) provide site diversity data and (2) the radiometer systems will be used in conjunction with the effort to provide calibration and backup to the ground terminals.

Currently AFRL/RITE has two specific uses for the radiometers, both of which are related to propagation studies for the development of a new satellite communications capability. In the near term they are making radiometer- only based measurements. Multiple radiometers are needed to do site diversity measurements.

Without them it would be a work stoppage. In the longer term; these radiometers will be used as part of the ground terminal system to calibrate the receivers that are receiving a signal from a satellite that will be launched in 2019. A number of these ground terminals will be located throughout conus. This program is called by the acronym WSCE (W and v band Satellite Communications flight Experiment). Failure to procure these radiometers would mean that the Government would not be able to do the site diversity measurements and would not be able calibrate the beacon receivers, which is a severe impact on this ongoing research and development activity. Not any radiometer can be used to make the measurements that AFRL/RITE is making. The W and V bands that they are characterizing are specific frequencies (81- 86 GHz, and 71-76 GHz). The RPG radiometers are the only COTS radiometers that operate in these frequencies. In addition, a specific mode of measurement that the Government can make with the RPG radiometers is a sun-switching measurement, which is not available in other radiometers. These are unique features of the RPG radiometers that meet this requirement. There are other more subtle characteristics as well as designed to allow simultaneous measurements of each frequency channel unlike other radiometers that make the measurements sequentially, which impacts the temporal resolution. The Microwave Radiometer from ATS Meteorology USA Inc. can meet all of these requirements.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS

MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

A Notice of Contract Action (NOCA) was synopsized as a Pre-solicitation Notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.FBO.gov) between 2 February and 17 February 2016. No responses were received.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

In 2012, the Government purchased a Radiometer directly from RPG Radiometer Physics, a Rohde & Schwarz company from Meckenheim, Germany, which is the sole manufacturer of this these particular instruments offered. RPG provided four (4) invoices of these instruments. The invoices are 1- 4 years old, and the prices are very close to what ATS Meteorology USA Inc. is asking for such instrument today. ATS Meteorology USA Inc., is currently the only authorized reseller of the RPG line of products in the USA, and no other sales representative for North America. ATS Meteorology USA Inc. has been representing RPG only for a short period of time and this is their first RPG product being sold in the USA.

The Contracting Officer will determine the price fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106- 3(a)(2)(ii) Comparison of proposed price with prices found fair and reasonable on previous purchases of the same or similar items in the same industry and FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(vii) Other than certified cost or pricing data in the form of invoices and sales orders with other customers for the same parts or similar custom orders as the AFRL’s contemplated purchase.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS, OR A

STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research of the products and associated characteristics required for a contractor to provide a Microwave Radiometer with the necessary performance characteristics has been conducted. Independent market research and evidence in Section VI, Pre-solicitation Notice, conclude the Government’s determination that no other known manufacturers or products exist that can fulfill this requirement.

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

COMPETITION

N/A

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

N/A

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

AFRL/RITE will continue to research the performance and capabilities of similar products towards future requirements, to avoid omitting other qualified sources. Also, in the event that our propagation research and development activities change, new requirements will be established.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature below evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

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