19R77_Digisonde_JNA_redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

Contracting Activity: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL – Rome Research Site

AFRL/RIKO

26 Electronic Parkway Rome, NY, 13441-4514.

Purchase Request/Local Identification Number: FA8751-19-R-077 Program Name (and Program Element, if applicable): Quad Transceiver Digisonde Portable Sounder Estimated Contract Cost (including options):

Type Program: Other Contracting Authority: 10 USC 2304(c)(1) Type Determination: Individual

Program Manager:

Date Signed

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

APPROVED:

Date Signed

18 38 -04 00 17-Sep-19

20-Sep-19

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

AFRL/RIKO, 26 Electronic Pkwy, Rome NY 13441

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

AFRL/RITF requires procurement of two sounding systems from Lowell Digisonde, Inc.to perform real-time measurements of fluctuations of the ionosphere, in support of ongoing HF communications research. All system components must come from the same supplier to ensure system compatibility.

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 Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directory is standing up a capability to measure both localized and oblique ionospheric conditions in real-time, necessitating dedicated measuring systems, to include all necessary antennas. On-site training from the manufacturer must be provided along with at least 12 months of warranty. These systems consist of a Quad Receiver Digisonde Portable Sounder (DPS4D) for vertical and bi-static oblique sounding, 4 receiving turnstile loop antennas, 4 polarization switches/preamplifiers, and dual delta turnstile transmit antennas, along with on-site system baselining/evaluation and training.

Key features of the DPS4D system include: Dual 150 watt transmitters, Automatic Real TIme Scaler and True height (ARTIST) processing with electron density profile (EDP) and Ionospheric Total Electron Count (ITEC) calculations, ionogram & directogram web displays, real time drift and skymaps with web display, and matching to the antennas specified by the manufacturer. Estimated value of this procurement for two systems, to include training and shipping:

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 stratify 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)

This DPS4D system, provided by Lowell Digisonde, is unique among competing ionospheric sounding device manufacturers. First, it offers a system consisting of a portable sounder matched with transmit and receive antennas. It is the only system capable of providing a real-time electron density profile as well as a vertical ionospheric total electron content count. It also provide real-time International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) profile shape parameters (B0, B1, D1) for 3D ionospheric modeling, and real-time plasma drift velocity evaluation. Further, the system is able to mitigate strong in-band HF interferers via their patented RF Interference Mitigation (RFIM) method. This system also provides the capability to “null” frequency bands during a scan (selectively omit frequencies). Finally, the USAF currently has an expansive network of DPS4D systems in use globally for R&D: utilizing systems directly compatible with these deployed systems will allow AFRL/RITF to align interests and seamlessly collaborate on USAF projects.

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) from 3 AUG 2019-07 SEP 2019 and no responses were received supporting the conclusion that no company, other than Lowell Digisonde International, LLC (LDI) could fulfill these requirement.

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

GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer anticipates the cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on a complete analysis of the contractor’s prices in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(vii) Other than certified cost or pricing data was analyzed (such as invoice(s)) from supplier.

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

STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research on the DP4SD system and supporting hardware was conducted by the end user via open literature searches in addition to conversations with colleagues, experts, and vendors on these types of systems. Research confirmed the government’s determination that no other known manufacturers or products exist that can fulfill the requirement for a turnkey, complete, end-to-end sounding system.

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

None.

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

Lowell Digisonde, Inc.

175 Cabot Street Lowell, MA 01854 978-735-4752

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

The laboratory program team will continue to research the performance and technical capabilities of similar products against each of their future requirements to avoid omitting other qualified sources. The market will be monitored for future availability of additional providers.

XII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signatures on 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.