FY21-20045 Redacted JA.pdf

Brand Name Justification under $250K

PMD Number: FY21-20045

Department: Corporate Operations

Company Name/Brand:

Keyence Corporation of America Headquarters: 500 Park Boulevard Suite 200 Itasca IL

60143 PHONE: 888-539-3623

Description of Product, Supplies or Services required to meet the agency’s needs:

The Keyence VR 5000 Precision 3d measurement device and software to perform rapid automated comparative analysis and counterfeit detection.

Identification of Justification Rational:

☒ The Material or service must be compatible will aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed.

☐ A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

☐ These are “direct replacement(s)” parts/components for existing equipment.

☐ Urgency.

Identification of the Justification Rationale Explained: **If using form, fit, and function, describe the current equipment and how the new item/service must coordinate or interface.

**If using patent, copyright, proprietary data, describe the proprietary data. **If using direct replacement, describe this below.

The VR 5000 complements the currently installed VHX-7000 digital microscope allowing the user to use similar if not interchangeable software tools shared between the devices. This minimizes the amount of training time required for lab technicians.

Specific Characteristics of the Item or Service required that Limit the Availability to a Sole Source or Brand Name: **This is the most important section. Explain in detail why this company or brand are the only ones that can meet the requirement.

The Keyence VR 5000 is one of the most precise and automated 3d measurement devices on the market. It has the best software for rapid comparative analysis and counterfeit detection. Other 3d scanners either lack the precision, rapid processing, or permanent software licenses to make them cost comparable. Most 3d measurement devices require in-depth training to ensure proper positioning of sensors to produce the desired image, but the VR 5000 requires little training and virtually no setup time when compared to competitors. For example, as the VR 5000 will alert the technician to anomalies after scanning a wide area and conducting automated comparative analysis. Then, the technician will be able to put the sample under the high powered microscope to better diagnose the problem.

Further, this device will complement a digital microscope from the same manufacturer currently owned by NSWC PHD. As such, the similarities in software formatting make both devices easier to use and minimize training time. Additionally, the desired Keyence product(s) have a great level of automation and recording capability. This automation and recording is key when performing investigations. Recording information and automatically stitching together highly accurate 3d models provides conclusive evidence of substandard products. Such conclusive evidence is key to prosecuting counterfeiters and ensuring substandard manufacturers are held accountable.

The requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Measuring down to the sub-micron (1/1,000,000th of a meter) level of resolution, along X, Y, and Z axis (3 dimensional)

2. Computer Aided Design (CAD) model generation with automated comparative analysis software. The software should be able to rapidly compare items under test to known required measurements, known authentic products, or between items in the lot under test.

This will help determine if the items are counterfeit, don’t meet specifications, or have anomalies that should be further investigated with other test equipment.

3. Proven effective in industry with low to no recurring costs to include training on how to use the equipment.

No company produces a product that meets all the requirements in a single device. Other companies researched have products that can do only a portion of what is required but would need to be coupled with 3rd party devices or software. Even then, the level of resolution and automation required cannot be achieved. The VR 5000 has a fixed sensor and an automated, highly precise, calibrated table that moves the items under test as required. There is no other product on the market that has the precision, reliability, and software analysis tools in a single device. Additionally, no other product can provide the precision and comparative analysis at the speed needed to screen the volume of materiel coming into the command.

Market Research Conducted:

FEDMALL, GSA, Unicor, and Keyence (the original manufacturer) and technology postings were consulted. Technology postings confirmed that the VR 5000 was the only device on the market with the resolution and automation required. To go with other items would mean less resolution, higher training and software licensing costs, and less automation for testing. These other options would ultimately be less effective at detecting counterfeits, would cost more over time, and would slow the screening process of materiel coming into the command.

Statement of Actions, if any to Remove Barriers to Competition in the Future:

NSWC PHD Contracts Office will continue to conduct market research as warranted to provide a broader vendor base as applicable for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NSWC PHD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

Any Other Facts Supporting Justification:

The GSS market research estimate was obtained via the GSA Advantage website. Thereby GSS does have a contract with GSA.

Contracting Officer:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Signature:

Keith Shaner (805)228-0731 3/9/2021

SHANER.KEITH.A.1231 Digitally signed by

706379

SHANER.KEITH.A.1231706379

Date: 2021.03.09 11:57:56 -08'00'