JA Sole Source FAR Part 13.5 25Q0094 - Final Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-SSEL

Control Number:

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

W911QX-13-P-0354). The required equipment must be procured from Collin’s, as its software and hardware are proprietary in nature and is not able to interface with extruders manufactured by third party manufacturers. Awarding to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government (detailed below) that is not expected to be recovered through competition and would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the requirement.

In addition, this extrusion system designed by Collin will allow users to swap interchangeable system components, granting engineers the ability to facilitate a greater range of studies. Chief among these studies is the development of a more extensive film take-up system with machine direction orientation, stretching capabilities and performance specifications which will allow processing of a greater range of polymers than the system currently in place. Further, without the added functionality of the new extrusion system combined with the capabilities of the current system, all research on the HITS program would cease. There is no other equipment available as Collin uses a proprietary control interface. Therefore, manufacturers other than Collin are not able to integrate their equipment with ARL’s existing capabilities.

Failure to procure this system from Collin will detrimentally impact SEMD’s critical research due to incompatibility, schedule delays, and will incur costs for the Government in excess of based on the cost of existing Government-owned high speed mono-component fiber melt spinning system, multi-layer cast film line, and compounder acquired under previous contracts W911QX-12-C-0181, W911QX-13-P-0354, and W911QX-17-C-0043. Additionally, more than 250 manhours would be required to train engineers and laboratory personnel on the functionality of any new system and software. The time spent training personnel on a new manufacturing system would result in an unacceptable delay in research of four (4) to five (5) months compared to implementing the Collin equipment interface which personnel are already proficient with. This duplication of cost, time and effort is not expected to be recovered through competition. Therefore, only a five (5)-layer co-extrusion film system manufactured by Collin will meet the Government’s capability requirements while ensuring compatibility with existing Government-owned equipment. Further, awarding to an alternative source would negatively impact the warfighter by decreasing mission readiness while increasing current costs. Due to the aforementioned, it is in the best interest of the Government to sole source to Collin for this system.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: In accordance with FAR 5.201, a Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Synopsis was posted to SAM.gov from 02 April 2025 to 23 April 2025.

No interested vendors submitted a response to this posting. As required by FAR 5.201, any other bids or proposals received shall be forwarded to the approving official for consideration, and should additional information be received prior to award, it will also be considered.

a. Effective competition: Because this is a sole source action, effective competition is not applicable.

Control Number: JA-25-Adel-0422

CUI//SP-SSEL

b. Subcontracting competition: This procurement effort intends to procure the equipment directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM); therefore, it is anticipated that there will be no subcontracting competition available. If it should be later determined, however, that the Contractor intends to subcontract any portion of this acquisition, Collin. will be encouraged to utilize small businesses for subcontracting opportunities to the maximum extent practicable.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to monitor the market for other potential sources to increase future competition for this requirement. ARL will continue to pursue web searches and consultations with knowledgeable Government, university, and industry personnel to help locate other sources that can provide compatible equipment that equals or exceeds the Collin manufactured products.

Additionally, ARL will continue its ongoing search to identify any known sources that can provide compatible software and hardware to allow ARL to maintain and keep its current equipment. A source that is found capable will be sought after for competitive interest in the future.

8. Market Research: Market research was conducted from 01 February 2024 through 01 September 2024 by the technical office. Market research efforts included searching the General Services Administration (GSA) website, contacting knowledgeable subject matter experts (SME’s) within Government and industry, reviewing historical data for W911QX-12-C-0181, W911QX-13-P-0354, and W911QX-17-C-0043, and conducting internet searches. These market research efforts found no other source capable of meeting the Government’s minimum requirement. Furthermore, the technical office attended capability demonstrations conducted by PeakNano and 3M of their rail systems, cast film roller systems, and in-line diagnostic tools as potential sources for this acquisition. These solutions were deemed inadequate by the technical office due to low scalability and throughput of their systems. Additionally, incomplete systems will be costly and impossible to integrate with the Collin extrusion line. In addition, a Synopsis was posted to SAM.gov from 02 April 2025 through 23 April 2025. No sources other than Collin have expressed interest in the contract opportunity.

9. Interested Sources: To date, only the proposed vendor, Collin Lab & Pilot Solutions GmbH, has written to express interest in this acquisition.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history.

Contract: W911QX-17-C-0043 Original Equipment Manufacturer: Dr. Collin GmbH (CAGE D7556) Business Size: Other than Small Business NAICS & Size Standard: 334516; 1000 Employees Delivery Date: 01 May 2018

Control Number: JA-25-Adel-0422

CUI//SP-SSEL

Total Dollar Value: $882,009.00 Authority: 14 U.S.C. 1901(e) (2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Subcontracting: N/A

Contract: W911QX-13-P-0354 Original Equipment Manufacturer: Dr. Collin GmbH (CAGE D7556) Business Size: Other than Small Business NAICS & Size Standard: 333248; 500 Employees Delivery Date: 20 June 2014 Total Dollar Value: $1,750,810.00 Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Contract: W911QX-12-C-0181 Original Equipment Manufacturer:

Dr. Collin GmbH (CAGE D7556) Business Size: Other than Small Business NAICS & Size Standard: 333292; 500 Employees Delivery Date: 30 April 2013 Total Dollar Value: $466,270.70 Authority: N/A; Full-and-Open Competition, See FAR Part 6.1

b. Other Facts: N/A

11. Technical Certification:

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

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12. Requirements Certification:

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

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

This determination will be made using the following:

Cost analysis _X_ Price analysis Should-cost

_X_ IGE

Audit:

Other:

As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data:

will be required.

_X_ will not be required and the following exception applies (FAR 15.403):

Prices that will be agreed upon are based on adequate price competition.

Prices that will be agreed upon are based on prices set by law or regulation.

_X_ A commercial item is being acquired.

A waiver has been granted by the head of the contracting activity (HCA) in accordance with DFARS PGI 215.403-1.

The contract action is a modification to a contract or subcontract for commercial item(s).

The estimated cost of the contract action is less than the threshold for certified cost or pricing data.

CUI//SP-SSEL

14. Contracting Officer Certification:

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

CUI//SP-SSEL

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of one (1) five (5)-layer co-extrusion film system for an estimate of $1,390,040.00 on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.