FY22-27882 Brand Name JA Coupling Redacted.pdf

Brand Name/Sole Source Justification under $250K

PMD Number: FY22-27882

Department: Cooperative Engagement Capabilities, A82

Company Name/Brand: Hydraflow

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

Couplings and Quick Disconnect fittings which are utilized in the Planar Array Antenna Assembly (PAAA). In a word, this is a request for a specialized connector. Hydraflow quick disconnect fittings provide a fast and easy way to connect and disconnect fluid lines while preventing leaks without the use of tools. Each set is comprised of a male and female end. They are a specialized item explicitly chosen for the application of mating the connection from one part of the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system to another. More specifically, they are needed in order to attach the PAO Hose (Hose transferring polyalphaolefin, aka PAO, which is a common major synthetic base oil used in industrial lubricants) from the Antenna Environmental Control Unit, or AECU, to the to the PAAA Backplane (Antenna) on which the mating end can be found.

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 current equipment involved is the Planar Array Antenna Assembly (PAAA), and the Antenna Environmental Control Unit (AECU). The connection between the two assembly’s is accomplished via 4 mating ends which are the requested Hydraflow quick disconnects (2 Male, 2 Female). In order for these two assembly’s to work in junction with one another, a pair of hoses affix to the back end of each assembly and that connection is secured to specifications by connecting a male and female quick disconnect to each hose. These quick disconnects connect a dry air hose and a polyalphaolefin (PAO) hose to the AECU and PAAA units to allow a fast and easy exchange of dry air and PAO while preventing leaks and without the need for additional tools. This exchange of dry air and PAO is required for the antenna to function properly.

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 Planar Array Antenna Assembly’s (PAAA’s) come as manufactured GFE and require the requested items to be used in conjunction with the antennas. Since the mating ends of the quick disconnects affixed to the antennas require the requested Hydraflow quick disconnects (QD’s), this connector set is essential in order to maintain compatibility. The alternative of switching to a different QD brand would require replacement of not only the QD’s being requested – with the intended use of attaching to the hose ends which run dry air and PAO to the PAAA - but additionally, the quick disconnects that come preinstalled on the antenna (PAAA). Moreover, it is not uncommon for these QD’s to become faulty over time as the ball bearings housed inside the QD’s become degraded and corroded from constant, longstanding exposure to the elements.

Switching brands would, amongst other things, precipitate an increased quantity of quick disconnect/couplings needing to be requested since the mating ends on the antenna would necessitate replacement in order to be compatible with the mating hose ends that provide an exchange of dry air and polyalphaolefin from the Antenna Environmental Control Unit (AECU) to the antenna. Not only would a brand change bring about additional material procurements, it would entail engineering changes which would bring about an extensive amount of time, research and labor for engineering to redesign drawings for the Planar Array Antenna Assembly to meet the current specifications with an alternative coupling, followed by a series of prototype testing, in addition to various other unforeseen complications which may arise from switching manufacturers of quick disconnects. Since the drawings are proprietary, it is difficult to say exactly how long it would take to find another manufacturer that can provide a comparable substitute. However, according to the lead CEC technicians and engineers and based off previous efforts and historical knowledge derived by obtaining quotes from alternate vendors for similar, yet non-substitutable specialized quick disconnects, procuring an alternative brand would take, at best, no less than one year and easily result in a substantial duplication of cost in excess of $100k that is not expected to be recovered through competition. An even graver concern is the fact that if there were to be a year or more delay, ships that currently utilize the CEC system would be without a functional antenna and thus, a functional CEC system.

Market Research Conducted:

Researched requested couplings/quick disconnects through OneTouch Naval Supply, Haystack, GSA Advantage, Fedmall, and Unicor (Please see attached supporting documents). My research at the aforementioned yielded no vendors outside of Hydraflow that could support the requirement.

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.

Contracting Officer:

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

WYNN.ARTHUR.P.JR.10804808

Contracting Officer Signature:

Digitally signed by

WYNN.ARTHUR.P.JR.1080480870

Date: 2022.02.10 13:59:01 -08'00'

Arthur Wynn, Contracting Officer, Code 0271, 805-228-6111 Date

Legal Counsel:

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

SURANE.JULIANNE.MARIE

.1522887796

Legal Office:

Digitally signed by

SURANE.JULIANNE.MARIE.1522887796

Date: 2022.02.10 15:24:11 -08'00'

Julianne Surane, Assistant Counsel Phone No. 805-228-8520 Date