JA.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS VALUED BELOW $250K

· FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Soliciting from a single source ☐ FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii) Brand name specification

PURCHASE REQUEST NUMBER:

11612953

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION:

☐✔ New Requirement

· Modification ESTIMATED VALUE (inclusive of options):

FUND TYPE: YEAR:

RDT&E (2040) FY 2021

1. NAME OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTOR / BRAND NAME MANUFACTURER:

AB Dynamics, Inc., 48325 Alpha Drive, Suite 120, Wixom, MI 48393, and 8FMB5

2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED AND THE INTENDED USE:

U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center requires purchase of a brake pedal robot that is used for control of vehicle braking during specific automotive performance tests. The brake pedal robot makes the tests much more repeatable and consistent than having different human drivers at the controls. The AB Dynamics manufactured model RBR1500-PowerDuo Brake Robot meets all performance and interface requirements.

3. UNIQUE SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS THAT LIMIT AVAILABILITY TO ONLY ONE SOURCE, WITH THE REASON NO OTHER SUPPLIES OR SERVICES CAN BE USED:

AB Dynamics manufactures several steering and pedal robots which can all be combined into an integrated robotic driving system. The model which meet ATC’s requirements is the RBR1500-PowerDuo Brake Robot. The pedal robot is capable of meeting the pedal force, pedal velocity, and stroke requirements for both air and hydraulic brake systems.

4. REASON WHY CONTRACTOR IS THE ONLY SOURCE CAPABLE OF MEETING MISSION REQUIREMENTS; SPECIFICALLY, THE REASON NO OTHER SOURCE CAN MEET THE UNIQUE CAPABILITIES IN SECTION 3:

The selected brake robot from the same developer of the existing steering and pedal robot system is compatible with existing equipment and may be used in conjunction to perform robotic driving tasks such as autonomous path-following. It may also be used to conduct coordinated, synchronized testing with ATC-owned AB Dynamics soft-car and pedestrian

Is this a follow-on contract? yes☐ no☐✔ If yes, provide contract number:

If another source is selected there would be additional costs due to operator training time, the fabrication and/or purchase of new interface cables, and cost of time required to integrate systems. Full integration to include cooperative operation with existing ATC-owned robots would not be possible.

5. MARKET RESEARCH:

The Market research for the automotive performance testing began with a specification comparison of potential candidates. There are only four known companies that manufacture steering and pedal robots which are intended for track testing (i.e. allowing a driver to be present and override the robot), to include Heitz Automotive Testing, Anthony Best Dynamics, Vehico, and S_E_A. The Market Research report provides the details of the research.

6. TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which is included in the sections above, is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.