Limiting Competition under SAT-VALD ForceDecks_HT942525Q0017 Brand Name.pdf

CUI

Control Number: 25-01-1688

CUI

Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4

JAN 2024

Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), Fort Detrick, MD.

2. Description of Action: The Behavior Biology Branch (BBB) and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) requires a brand name, Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for human musculoskeletal equipment, software and licenses manufactured by VLAD Group Inc. This action is to support a collaborative research project entitled “Optimizing the Human Weapon System” to study sleep and fatigue in an operational context to evaluate soldier readiness.

Nature of Requirement

☒ New Requirement ☒ Purchase Order ☐ Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) ☐ Order against BPA # Click or tap here to enter text.

☐ Order against Multiple Award IDIQ Contract # Click or tap here to enter text.

☐ Order against Single Award IDIQ Contract # Click or tap here to enter text.

☐ Order against FSS Contract # Click or tap here to enter text.

☐ Follow-on Requirement to Contract/Order # Click or tap here to enter text.

☐ Modification against existing Contract/Order #Click or tap here to enter text.

Contract Type

☒ Fixed Price ☐ Time & Materials/Labor Hours ☐ Cost Reimbursable ☐ Hybrid Click or tap here to enter text.

Controlled by: Defense Health Agency (DHA) Controlled by: USAMRAA CUI Category(ies): Source Selection Limited Dissemination Control: FED Only)

POC:

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Funding

☐ Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E)

☐ Other - Click or tap here to enter text.

Fiscal Year:

3. Description of Services or Supplies:

This requirement will include the purchase of two (2) of each of the following:

ForceDeck (FDMax) Dual Force Plate System Force Deck (FDMax) Dual Force Plate System – 1 Year Software Licenses Human Track Movement Analysis System Human Track Movement Analysis System – 1 Year Software License Force Deck Carrying Case Human Tack Carrying Case The equipment is accompanied by a 1-year warranty and a 1-year software license to be renewed each year. A Base year with 4 Option Years for Force Deck (FDMax) and Human Track Licenses and Support.

Period of Performance: 3/28/2025 to 3/27/2030 (base year plus four one-year option years).

Period Start Date End/Required Delivery Date

Estimated Value

Base Period 3/28/2025 3/27/2026 Option 1 3/28/2026 3/27/2027 Option 2 3/28/2027 3/27/2028 Option 3 3/28/2028 3/27/2029 Option 4 3/28/2029 3/27/2030

Total Estimated Contract Value:

4. Authority:

☒ FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name, or industrial mobilization).

Or

☐ FAR 16.505(a)(4) Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer

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☐ FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) Urgency ☐ FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) Only One Awardee is Capable ☐ FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C) Logical Follow-on ☐ FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(D) Minimum Guarantee

5. Reasons for Authority Cited:

This requirement is for brand name ForceDeck and Human Track manufactured by Vlad Group Inc. The VALD ForceDeck/HumanTrak human musculoskeletal analysis equipment, software, licenses requirement is part of a funded, ongoing research project “Optimizing the Human Weapon System (OHWS)” where U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command- Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) has been the lead organization for the collaborative project.

WRAIR has shifted to become primary lead on this project and as such requires the same hardware and software the currently being used for the project.

VALD hosts an ecosystem where the technologies feed into a centralized database, which allows for seamless exporting of data.

The Vlad human musculoskeletal equipment, technology and datasets are required for continuity of research.

Utilizing another brand would cause discontinuity in research results and processes. The study would be set back by approximately 1.5 years as previously gathered data would essentially become void.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions:

The public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203:

☒ Apply and will be followed.

☐ Do not apply due to the contract action falling below the threshold in FAR 5.101(a)(1).

☐ Do not apply due to the following exception: FAR 5.202(a) Enter applicable exception from FAR 5.202(a).

Brand-Name justifications in accordance with FAR 13.105(c), or FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A):

☐ Not applicable ☒ Brand-name justification will be posted with the solicitation ☐ Action is a brand-name restriction in accordance with FAR 16.505 and under $30K, no posting required.

7. Market Research: Market Research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10 from May 2024 until October 2024. An internet search was conducted to determine if there were any distributors of the name-brand equipment and a request for quote was submitted through the company. A Request for Information (RFI) was posted to SAM.gov on 03 December 2024 with a closing date of 26 December 2024. There were three (3) small businesses resellers, Morgan Ingland, LLC (Cage 9QB27), BHPE, LLC (Cage 9SWS7) and VCloud Tech (Cage Code 77T86) found capable of offering the required brand name VLAD Group equipment and software to meet this requirement. Therefore, it is recommended this action be competed as a set-aside for Small Business.