JA_SPRDL123R0008_Redacted.pdf

J&A SPRDL1-23-R-0008 (J&A JA-00569)

(Previous J&A not available) encoder is a component of the fire control system which senses the turret and gun tube's position and sends that information to the IFCEU (Improved Fire Control Electronics Unit). The Encoder assists the Abrams tank in targeting and hitting the desired target. The proper relaying of the turret and gun tube position is paramount for proper accuracy. This item requires an incredibly accurate calibration to achieve this objective.

This item, Encoder, is a source-controlled item (sole source) to BEI Precision Systems (CAGE Code: 12050), who is the original equipment developer and manufacturer. The Government does not own proprietary rights to BEI Precision Systems data that would be required to produce a competitive TDP. The current Encoder drawing/TDP, Drawing No. 12918148, a source control drawing, does not contain adequate technical data and/or information necessary to support a full and open competition. BEI Precision Systems is the original equipment manufacturer and the only known source that possesses the required technical knowledge and engineering expertise to successfully manufacture this item per the current TDP. BEI Precision Systems developed, tested, and obtained the Government's approval of this item for the M1 Abrams’ Encoder at their own expense. The Government did not fund BEI Precision Systems efforts in developing and testing this item. Additionally, the Government did not fund BEI Sensors to prepare fully detailed TDPs. As such, BEI Precision Systems is the sole owner of their drawings and technical data rights. The Government does not own proprietary rights to the BEI Sensors data that would be required to produce a competitive TDP.

This item also requires specialized design attributes and testing, including nuclear, biological, and chemical survivability requirements. Design changes to, or proposed substitutions of BEI Precision Systems Encoder, must be evaluated by the engineering activity responsible for such prior to implementation.

Reverse Engineering Activity Cost Estimate Delay

a. Reverse Engineer of Application Specific Design $800,000 14 Months

b. Engineering Verification Testing/Analysis/Inspections $1,425,000 24 Months

c. Logistical Development $150,000 6 Months

d. Nuclear Hardness and Survivability Testing (NH&ST) $65,000 6* Months

e. Conduct System Level Testing $300,000 8* Months Total Estimated Time to Reverse Engineer $2,940,000 44** months

*The NH&ST and Conduct System Level Testing estimated cost and time are included in the Engineering Verification Testing/Analysis/Inspections and are included in the cost estimate and time estimate.

**The total cost estimate and time delays count only amounts listed for a, b, and c.

a. Development Command Armament Center engineering estimates that the cost to develop a competitive package for this Encoder, 12918148, through reverse engineering (includes but is not limited to the following: identify all the deficiencies, conduct market research on available parts and components, work in conjunction with General Dynamics Land and Systems (Abrams Tank system integrator), identify the system’s components and their interrelationships; obtain existing parts; tear down & understand the design; create representations of the system in another form or a higher level of abstraction; create the physical representation of that system fully define functional parameters, generate a new TDP which would include components complete drawings, performance specifications, and qualification procedures) could run as high as $800,000 and take at least 14 months.

b. Engineering verification testing deals with the item’s performance and construction.

Performance tests encompass, but are not limited to: accuracy, the zero level, response tests, self-tests, weight, temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, and submergence. The construction tests required to test the Encoder deal with, but are not limited to:

workmanship requirements, electromagnetic interference, and nuclear hardening.

Analysis includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the engineering data and preparing technical reports. Inspections include but are not limited to Document Control, Traceability, Lot Control, Manufacturing Process Control, Test Control, Calibration Control, Corrective Actions & Control or Non-Conforming Material, Internal Audits, Records Control and Product Control. Also, there would be costs for test facilities and extensive M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams Tank systems tests to ensure proper field operation of the Turret Position Sensor Assembly (PN: 12549942) which is the end item for the Encoder. Thus, this effort could run as high as $1,425,000 and an estimated delay could take up to 24 months.

c. Logistical Development includes, but is not limited to, updating Technical Bulletins, provision part (assigning NSN), developing new technical manuals for the new configuration (Encoder) and will cost at least $125,000 and could take up to 6 months.

d. The Encoder is a Nuclear Hardness Critical item which means NH&ST is required.

NH&ST includes nuclear testing, physical testing in a simulated environment, modeling, simulation, and analysis. The NH&ST, as well as the Nuclear Survivability Assessment (electronic microcircuit test phase, system analysis test phase, and system level test phase), would be conducted at the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command through White Sands Missile Range for nuclear hardness compatibility and survivability. The estimated cost to conduct NH&ST could run as high as $65,000 and could take at least six months to complete.

e. Conduct System Level Testing: Weapon system level testing will need to be performed at a government testing facility, such as Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), to ensure the entire system works properly and safely. The System Level Testing includes, but is not limited to, shipping component assemblies to the appropriate military test facility, acquiring a weapon system to perform the testing, connecting the Encoder to the Turret Position Sensor Assembly which is part of the Fire Control Installation on the M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams Tank and execution of the testing. In addition, a test result report would be required. Thus, this effort could run as high as $150,000 and an estimated delay could take up to eight months.

Based on the above information, sole source procurement to BEI Precision Systems is the only method of procurement currently available to insure supportability of fielded vehicles. The Government does not own proprietary rights to the TDP for the Encoder that would be required to produce a competitive TDP.

The information provided in this section is only an estimate of the additional cost associated with conducting engineering verification testing/analysis/inspections;

logistical development; Nuclear Hardness & Survivability Testing and conduct system level testing. There is no supporting data provided for this engineering estimate as it is based on engineering judgment and experience.

The Government would not be able to recover, through subsequent competition, the duplication of costs involved in either procuring the proprietary data or reverse engineering the item to create a competitive build to print TDP within a reasonable time frame. At the current average usage rate of 24 units each year, a current unit cost of

, and assuming 25% savings achieved through competition, the in annual savings would take over years to offset the estimated $2,940,000 cost of reverse engineering the item and qualifying another source.

The aggregate delay in the acquisition process for reverse engineering Encoder could take up to 44 months. Thus, a delay of this scale is unacceptable in fulfilling Army requirements. There would be a significant and detrimental impact to the Army’s ability to support the Soldier in the field and readiness. This interruption would also negatively impact the Turret Position Sensor Assembly, jeopardize Soldier safety and ability to fight, and deadline the M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams Tank.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

a. Effective competition: Due to the reasons cited in section 5 above, the Government is not pursuing competition for this item.

b. Subcontracting competition: Unless the contract is awarded to a small business, the solicitation and resulting contract will include FAR clauses 52.219-8, "Utilization of Small Business Concerns"; 52.244-5, "Competition in Subcontracting"; 52.219-16, "Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan"; and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.219-7003, "Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts)", to maximize small business opportunities and utilization.

SOLE SOURCE: Notices required by FAR 5.201 will be posted.

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

Due to the costs associated with developing a competitive TDP the Government is not actively pursuing the development of a competitive TDP for future procurements.

The notices required by FAR 5.201 shall be published for this effort, and any bids or proposals received will be considered. There has not been any expressed interest by any known contractors to become a qualified source to produce the Encoder.

To ensure the contractor competitively awards subcontracts to the maximum extent possible, the contract will contain FAR Clauses 52.244-5, “Competition in Subcontracting,” and 52.244-2, “Subcontracts”. BEI Precision Systems will also be required to submit subcontracting plans for review and approval.

8. Market Research: A Sources Sought Notice was posted to www.SAM.gov on 4 October 2022 and was open for 14 days. No responses were received.

A Sources Sought Notice/Request for Information (RFI) was issued by DLA Land Warren seeking companies capable of producing the Encoder, Shaft Position. The Source Sought Notice was published on SAM.gov 04 October 2022 with responses due on 18 October 2022. As a result of this posting, no companies responded or expressed any interest. BEI Precision Systems, the only approved source for the Encoder, Shaft Position, was sent the Sources Sought Notice. BEI Precision Systems did not respond.

Keywords: A search was conducted on the World Wide Web for the following terms “Encoder”, Shaft Position”, “12918148”, “5990014926575”, “014926175”.

Website:

https://pl.abilityone.gov/procurement_search/procurement_product_search.aspx Findings: Ability One revealed that the item is not available for procurement.

Website: https://nsn-now.com/Indexing/PublicSearch.aspx

Findings: Acquire directly from the actual manufacturer whether the prime contractor is the actual manufacturer. This search reaffirms that BEI Precision Systems is the only manufacturer who is readily available to supply the Encoder, Shaft Angle.

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

10. Other Facts: Procurement History:

No procurement history is available.