FY23-MAY22-82 final signed JA_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

INDIAN HEAD DIVISION

3767 STRAUSS AVENUE

SUITE 201

INDIAN HEAD, MD 20640-5150

J&A No. FY23-MAY22-82 Code: 023

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), Contracts Division Office 023.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

Award of a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract on a sole source basis to:

QSA Global, Inc.

6765 Langley Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

Portable Betatron 7.5 MeV X-Ray systems will be employed locally and in forward deployed (OCONUS) environments for the purpose determining internal structures, fillers, fuzing and firing train elements of Captured Exploitable Materiel (CEM). Availability of the equipment in all locations is paramount to the safety and security of both command personnel and cooperating members of US and NATO uniformed / armed services members.

Estimated Dollar Value

FY23

RDT&E $441,571.00

J&A No. FY23-MAY22-82 Code: 023

Total $441,571.00

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

NSWC IHD Code D11 currently operates three portable Betatron 7.5 MeV X-Ray systems locally, and on deployed OCONUS missions. Each system has been mission upgraded for remote operation by the addition of Wireless Remote Handset and RF Extender to meet the unique safety requirements of industrial high energy x-ray operations against captured enemy explosive ordnance. Specific to these JME Ltd. Manufactured Betatron systems, the dose rate, or the biological effect on the human body from exposure to that radiation, is roughly half that of alternative X-Ray generators. This reduced dose rate results in a safer working environment and extends the service life of associated equipment such as imaging panels.

Betatron 7.5 MeV X-Ray Radiography systems have been in use by the D11 FMA&E cadre since 2002, supporting joint ground operations throughout the Middle-East and now in central Europe. D11 operates with, supports and is supported by a number of agencies that use the Betatron 7.5 MeV X-Ray radiography system. The fact that D11 operates the same Betatron 7.5 MeV radiography systems as collaborating agencies, means that we are able to trade system hacks for Betatron systems to produce hardware and software solutions, share spare parts, and join conference calls to the supplier when fixes are needed. In addition, interoperability between manufacturers is not plug and play. Each High energy x-ray radiography system is physically connected, calibrated and communicates through component systems that have been designed specifically to work with host system-matched components. In order for another manufacturer’s equipment (power supplies, cables, controllers, x-ray generators) to be “hot swappable”, it would have to have been manufactured to an exact replica standard.

The completion of collaborative work using this system in the field today determines when C-17 aircraft will arrive or leave in country, how much captured enemy ordnance will be processed and whether another DoD agency or field unit will be successful or fail in their mission. Based on available information, this systems’ cross agency compatibility, locally and forward deployed, can neither be replaced nor duplicated with any other manufacturer equipment.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

A Sources Sought notice was posted on 21 February 2023 to the beta.SAM website to satisfy requirements for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 206.302-1(c). No responses were received.

As required by FAR 5.203, the proposed action was synopsized on SAM.gov website on 18 April 2023. No companies expressed interest in the requirement.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NSWC IHD has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the type of supplies covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NSWC IHD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical and Requirements Cognizance:

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

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

Devon Gormley, Contracting Officer, 023

APPROVAL BLOCK (FAR 6.304 for Approving Official)

8/02/2023

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Contracting Officer for the Procuring Activity, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1).