Attch_1_Brand_Name_JA_Keysight_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity.

a. Requiring Activity: AFRL/RITE, 525 Brooks Rd, Rome NY 13441

b. Contracting Activity: AFRL/RIKO, 26 Electronic Pkwy, Rome NY 13441

c. Purchase Request #:

2. Nature and/or Description of Action.

a. Description of Requirement: Purchase of a Keysight Waveform generator

b. Brand Name company:

Keysight Technologies Inc / US PO Box 4026 Englewood CO 80155-4026 United States

3. Description of Supplies or Service.

This requirement is for the purchase of M8194A Arbitrary Waveform Generator 2 channels 120 GSa/s, a M9502A AXIe Chassis: 2-slot with Integrated System Module and a M9537A AXIe High Performance Embedded Controller on a brand name only basis. The total estimated cost is

4. Statutory Authority.

10 USC 2304(c)(1) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement.

5. Justification or Authority for Action.

In order to develop and validate novel THz-band channel models, ultra-broadband modulation schemes and synchronization techniques for ultra-high-speed data transfers, AFRL/RITE requires a state-of-the-art arbitrary waveform generator able to generate baseband signals with an analog bandwidth up to 32 GHz, a sampling rate of up to 120 GigaSamples-per-second (GSa/s) with 8-bit resolution, and can also handle 2 parallel channels. Such capability is essential to perform sophisticated signal mixing to enable ultra-broadband communications at terahertz frequencies. M9502A AXIe Chassis and M9537A AXIe High Performance Embedded Controller are the accessories required to set up the arbitrary waveform generator in the laboratory.

This requirement will form a crucial component of the terahertz laboratory which will run experiments with deliverables from VAULT (Viability Assessment of Ultra-broadband Long-range THz communications) program such as Indium Phosphide (InP) High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT)-based amplifiers, graphene-based plasmonic THz signal sources, detectors and antennas and antenna

Attachment #1

FA8751-19-Q-0274

arrays. Failure to procure the required equipment would negatively impact ongoing research and development activities for Terahertz (THz) communications experiments.

The Government has determined that the Keysight M8194A Arbitrary Waveform Generator is the only known arbitrary waveform generator in the market that can provide the required 32 GHz bandwidth per channel and 120 GSa/s, with software-upgradable up to 4 channels. There are no other known commercial products available on the market that can meet or be modified for this requirement. If the Keysight equipment and associated accessories described above are not obtained, it would delay the ongoing cutting-edge research and development activities in terahertz band communication systems. In addition, testing another brand with alternate specifications will jeopardize the validity of the results of the entire experiment. There is an urgent and compelling need to complete this experiment and if the Government were to gamble with alternate brand with inferior specifications, it will jeopardize the Government’s research VAULT program as well as result in unacceptable delays by causing the Government to miss yearly milestones. In addition, it will unnecessarily risk an investment of in labor and replacement equipment costs. Based on this, Keysight is the only manufacturer that can meet the needs of the Government.

6. Efforts Made to Ensure Offers are Solicited from as many Sources as Practicable.

The brand name requirement will be solicited on FedBizOpps as a small business set-aside total.

7. The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable through competition.

8. Market Research/Other facts.

Market research found several providers such as with Keysight. Keysight Technologies’ M8194A was the only arbitrary waveform generator found that can meet the requirements of an analog bandwidth up to 32 GHz, a sampling rate of up to 120 GigaSamples-per-second (GSa/s) with a minimum of 2 channels. In addition, the Government has toured the state-of-the-art laboratory conducting terahertz communications research at which utilizes a Keysight arbitrary waveform generator for ultra-broadband baseband signal generation and has proven that this particular model will work for the Government’s experiment. Informational quotes were successfully received from several of Keysight’s small business partners through NASA SEWP including

9. Any other facts supporting Other than Full and Open Competition. None.

10. List of Sources that have Expressed in Writing an Interest in the Procurement

11. Statement of Actions to Remove/Overcome Barriers to Competition. In the future we will monitor the market in order to identify opportunities to maximize competition in potential future requirements and in the event that the research and development activity changes, other products will once again be evaluated to determine their capability to support future projects.

12. 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.

13. Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification. As evidenced by the 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.

PROGRAM MANAGER

APPROVED / DISAPPROVED

CONTRACTING OFFICER

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION