JA-SPRDL120R0268_Redacted.pdf

J&A SPRDL1-20-R-0268 (JA-00311)

Previous J&A SPRDL1-20-R-0122 is available

4. Authority Cited: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this effort is 10 United States Code (USC) 2304(c)(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. Reason for Authority Cited: The DMA 4500M density meter is a laboratory instrument for testing the density and API Gravity of jet and diesel fuels. This particular instrument is unique in that it integrates directly with the viscometer in the PQAS-E. This allows a simple one sample injection that goes to both instruments and uses less fuel than if two samples were to be used. It is also capable of being stacked with the viscometer, which allows for the conservation of counter space. It is necessary that this specific item be used because the density meter is needed to insure standardization of equipment, test procedures, training, spare parts, and manuals with the PQAS-E.

The Government does not own or have rights to the Technical Data Package (TDP) or specification for this item.

The DMA 4500M was extensively tested by TARDEC (now Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)) in its labs for reliability, accuracy, and precision before being chosen for use in the PQAS-E. Due to the unique environments (cold storage, hot storage, high humidity, and high vibration) for laboratory equipment the PQAS-E will be operated in, the ruggedness of the instrument is vital for it to be reliable in the field. To help achieve this reliability, special anti-shock trays were developed for each instrument in the PQAS- E to help mitigate the effects of shock and vibration from the movement of the PQAS-E whether mounted on its trailer or on a Palletized Load System (PLS). If a different model instrument were chosen, new trays would have to be designed, manufactured, and tested to ensure suitability for use in PQAS-E and the instrument itself would also have to be tested to verify it can withstand the shock and vibration that is caused from the PQAS-E traveling over unimproved roads and rough terrain. Additionally, the storage temperature requirements of the PQAS-E dictate that the instruments used in it have to be able to be stored at -25 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Laboratory instruments do not normally see temperature extremes such as these. A new instrument would also have to be tested to verify that it can withstand these storage temperatures as well as perform as expected after being warmed up or cooled down quickly. Due to the small size of the density meter and ability to stack with the viscometer, maximization of counter space is available to house more instruments or act as workspace. This benefit may be lost if a new instrument was used in place of it.

The Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) and GVSC developed the PQAS-E Technical Manual (TM), which was written specifically for this instrument and includes detailed work packages with pictures on how to operate the instrument, maintain the instrument, calibrate (if necessary) the instrument, as well as troubleshoot the instrument. A new instrument would necessitate that the TM be revised to include all new work packages. Furthermore, the ILSC Petroleum and Water Systems team provisioned all the spare parts of the PQAS-E program and NSNs have been assigned.

A new instrument would also require new provisioning and NSN and those would have business opportunities and utilization.

SOLE SOURCE: Notice required by FAR 5.201 has been posted.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: There are no plans to increase competition for future procurements due to the reasons cited above.

There are no contractors currently in the process of being qualified as an alternate source of supply for this item. At this time, there are no current or planned efforts to qualify additional sources since the Government does not possess a fully defined and validated TDP for this item.

8. Market Research: A Sources Sought Notice was posted to beta.SAM.gov on 28 July 2020 and was open for 15 days. One response was received and below is the assessment of the response to the inquiry:

The one company, Rudolph Research Analytical Corporation (CAGE 3WHP1), replied to the Sources Sought Notice on 7 August 2020 requesting that the Government consider their Density Meter as a source for this requirement. GVSC reviewed the inquiry by Rudolph Research and determined their Density Meter would not work for the PQAS-E. The Government informed Rudolph Research on 20 August 2020 that their Density Meter would not work for this current requirement and they were instructed to contact the Source Approval Officer at the Competition Management Office to inquire on how to become an approved source for future procurements of this item.

The PQAS-E Systems Engineer, on the Petroleum and Storage Distribution Team, also conducted web searches on 15 September 2020 for suitable density meters that would satisfy the form, fit, and function of the Density Meter currently used in the PQAS-E.

Search criteria included density meter, benchtop density meter, portable density meter, and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International D4052 instrument.

The following websites were found that had comparable instruments:

https://www.paclp.com/lab-instruments/method/astm/astm-d4052/product/57/vida-ml-density-mobile http://koehlerinstrument.com/products/automatic-density-meter/ https://eralytics.com/instruments/vapor-pressure-testers/eravap/

Findings: The three instruments that were found in the web searches are not suitable substitutes for the Density Meter in question. All the instruments would require new mounting provisions, new technical manual work packages, new LIMS software, and new spare parts to be incorporated into the PQAS-E. Furthermore, a new instrument would have to be tested for accuracy and robustness, as all the PQAS-E instruments have been, to ensure it is up to the standards needed for a mobile laboratory environment.

X

X

9. Interested Sources: To date no additional sources have expressed interest in this item.

10. Other Facts: Procurement History:

Contract: SPRDL1-20-C-0160 Award Date: 11 June 2020 Contractor: Anton Paar USA, Inc. (CAGE 0FW58) Contract Value: $251,503 Competitive Status: FAR 6.302-1 only one responsible source

Contract: SPRDL1-19-P-0162 Award Date: 26 March 2019 Contractor: Anton Paar USA, Inc. (CAGE 0FW58) Contract Value: $71,803 Competitive Status: Restricted to OEM

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.

Name: CIV USARMY FUTURES COMMAND (USA) Title: Force Projection Technology Division Chief Email:

Signature:

3/30/2021

Sign ed by:

12. Requirement Certification: I certify that the supporting data under cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of knowledge and belief.

Name: CIV USARMY TACOM (USA) Title: Force Projection PSID Director

3/15/2021

Signed by:

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.

X Timothy A. Nichols

X Timothy A. Nichols

DLA Land-Warren will conduct negotiations and use the appropriate acquisition procedures and cost and/or price analysis to determine price fair and reasonableness.

DLA Land-Warren will be procuring these items in accordance with FAR Part 12 procedures since this requirement is commercial. The point of contact for this action is

, Contract Specialist, Office Symbol ZGBC, Phone .

Name: Nichols, Timothy A CIV DLA LAND AND MARITIME (USA) Title: Contracting Officer Email: timothy.nichols@dla.mil

3/26/2021

Signed by: NICHOLS.TIMOTHY.A.1104372445

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name: Nichols, Timothy A CIV DLA LAND AND MARITIME (USA) Title: Contracting Officer Email: timothy.nichols@dla.mil

3/26/2021

Signed by: NICHOLS.TIMOTHY.A.1104372445

Approval Authority for Acquisitions Equal to or

Greater Than $750K But Less Than $15M

APPROVAL OF JUSTIFICATION

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Based on the foregoing Justification, I hereby approve the procurement of the following:

a. Noun: Meter, Density, Digital

b. NSN: 6635-01-570-8762

c. Minimum Guaranteed Five-Year Quantity: Three Each

d. Estimated Minimum Five-Year value:

e. Maximum Five-Year Quantity: 63 Each

f. Estimated Five-Year Maximum value:

This action will be awarded under other than full and open competition pursuant to the authority of 10 USC 2304(c)(1) and subject to the availability of funds. This approval is subject to the proviso that the property herein described has otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

X SHEARER.MA

RY.E.1250702

Digitally signed by

SHEARER.MARY.E.125

0702449 Date: 2021.04.09 09:59:52 -04'00'