A02 - Redacted Simplified Acquisition Sole Source Justification (FAR 13.pdf

Control No: JA-20-Adel-052 Contractor: Clearpath Robotics

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

REDACTED JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR

OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Programs/Equipment: Warthog - Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)

Authority:

41 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.

Amount: $437,350.00

Prepared by: [REDACTED] DSN: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Date: 12/3/2019 Email: [REDACTED]

Contracting Officer: Christopher Moy DSN: 290-2021 Contracting Officer Date: 12/3/2019 Email: christopher.r.moy.civ@mail.mil

Technical: [REDACTED] DSN: [REDACTED]

Email: [REDACTED]

Requirements: [REDACTED] DSN: [REDACTED]

Email: [REDACTED]

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Program Manager:

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

REDACTED FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND

APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Adelphi Contracting Division, Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1138.

2. Description of Action: The United States (U.S.) Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Computational & Information Sciences Directorate (CISD) requests a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract with Clearpath Robotics at 1425 Strasburg Rd, Unit 2a, Kitchener, ON, N2R 1H2, Canada. The Government projects award for January 2019 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/2020 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) funds will be used.

_X_ An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement either does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i), or is an R&D acquisition and does not meet the definition of services in 10 U.S.C. 2330(c)(2).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The Government requires the purchase of five

(5) Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to support [REDACTED]. Below are the descriptions and quantities for delivery to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Aberdeen, MD 21005 USA:

Base:

Quantity Description Part Number

Three (3) Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle 042000

Three (3) Warthog – LiFeP04 Battery Pack upgrade 042003

Three (3) Wireless Emergency Stop 042001

Three (3) Additional Battery Pack 042005

Option One:

Quantity Description Part Number

Two (2) Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle 042000

Two (2) Warthog – LiFeP04 Battery Pack upgrade 042003

Two (2) Wireless Emergency Stop 042001

Two (2) Additional Battery Pack 042005

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Base Delivery Date: Four (4) Months After Contract Award (ACA) Option One Delivery Date: 11 Months ACA

Base Effort Total: $259,650.00 Option 1 Total: $177,700.00 Total Value: $437,350.00

4. Authority Cited:

41 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.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

The Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Computational Information Science Directorate (CISD) Asset Control and Behavior Branch requires five (5) UGV robot base and accessories as platforms that can be used for [REDACTED]. Within this project, ARL is [REDACTED]. In the past, CISD has purchased, performed, conducted research with, [REDACTED] the iRobot Packbot Explorer and other Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). However, as the organization intensifies collaboration with extramural entities universities [REDACTED], CISD requires commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), cost-effective, and, most importantly, non-International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-restricted platforms with which to establish a shared research environment across Government, industry and the academia communities. To this end, CISD has resolved to continue the transition from ITAR-restricted UGV platforms to non-ITAR-restricted COTS UGV platforms.

CISD requires the proposed COTS UGV platforms to meet the following minimum requirements:

a) Possess a robust design capable of operating outdoors in wooded and urban areas, including dirt, gravel roads, primitive trails and waterways

b) Wheeled rather than tracked configuration, with flexible payload mounting

c) Possess a battery capacity capable of providing at least eight (8) hour of continuous movement in the terrain types detailed in (a) referenced above

d) Have an “open architecture” (defined as having published and available system architecture and interface protocol) to support interfacing with our developed control software through the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework

e) Possess a modular or otherwise flexible physical design, such as mounting rails and/or a payload tub, in order to permit the integration of CISD-designed processing payload and sensor suites to the robot chassis

f) Be a complete system that is operable without additional low-level engineering integration effort

g) Weigh no more than 620 pounds fully loaded

h) Be non-ITAR-restricted

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

i) Drivetrain is capable of moving 272 kilograms (kg) of payload and can reach speeds up to 18 kilometers (km)/ hours (hr) on land

Failure to procure the required UGV platforms will result in [REDACTED]. Additionally, the required UGV platforms must be compatible with Govnerment-owned, tested, and validated Clearpath Robotics software under on-going research and collaborative programs. Clearpath Robotic’s software and Robot Operating System (ROS) has been exclusively used by the Government [REDACTED]. Changing the UGV platforms to a manufacturer other than Clearpath Robotics could jeopardize [REDACTED]. Clearpath Robotics has been engaged with ARL’s research and development efforts for many years and these efforts have been proven, tested, and published at many conferences and proceedings as the standard for ongoing research and programs. Clearpath Robotics is the only source that can deliver the required amphibious fully-loaded platform, with a robotic operating system that is compatible with the research and collaboration efforts and infrastructure currently developed by ARL and its collaboration research partners.

Based on the market research performed and Synopsis posting, no vendor other than Clearpath Robotics can provide an autonomous platform that meets the Government’s minimum requirement for compatibility as well as meet the Government’s minimum requirements outlined above.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

Based on market research performed (referenced in Section 8) by [REDACTED] for this requirement, there are no vendors other than Clearpath Robotics able to meet the Government’s minimum requirements of UGV platforms. An Intent to Sole Source Synopsis was posted on Beta.SAM.gov on 13 November 2019 and closed on 27 November 2019, and the results of the Synopsis are discussed in Section 9 below. As the estimated total for this requirement is under $700,000.00, therefore a subcontracting plan is not required.

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

CISD will continue to monitor the COTS UGV platforms market for other potential sources in order to increase future competition for this requirement and any associated parts and repairs. The Government could not compete this requirement to other sources as only Clearpath Robotics could meet requirements a), e), f), and g) as well as the compatibility requirement. The Government will also continue to evaluate opportunies to promote competition by considering the feasibility of pulling out portions of future sole source requirements for competition and obtaining technical data package rights for the sole source requirement. The Government could not pull out portions of the subject requirement for competition or obtain technical data package rights as the required items

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles are COTS items and the associated technical data rights are proprietary to Clearpath Robotics.

8. Market Research:

Market research was conducted from July through October 2019 by [REDACTED].

Market research included extensive internet searches of available non-military-grade COTS UGV platforms and communication with various subject matter experts [REDACTED] present at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation (IEEE ICRA) and the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IEEE IROS), the two (2) flagship conferences for the academic and industrial robotics community). CISD chose to specifically attend the aforementioned conferences because the attendees and work presented represent the state-of-the-art within the non-military robotics field. Based upon market research, [REDACTED] found that requirement (a) listed in Section 5 eliminates nearly all COTS offerings because much of the non-military robotics market is oriented towards educational platforms or platforms for indoor research, characterized as platforms with low-clearance chasses and/or two-wheeled configurations. Furthermore, the compatibility requirement eliminates all sources but Clearpath Robotics. Market research identified eight (8) sources of platforms capable of outdoor and water operation:

The Machine Lab, InspectorBots, SuperDroid, Dr. Robot, Robotnik, Adept MobileRobots, Corobot, and Clearpath Robotics. However, as shown in the market research below, only Clearpath Robotics can provide a COTS UGV platform that meets the minimum requirements of the Government:

1) The Machine Lab, offering the MMP-30: This is a hobbyist-style platform that offers motors and batteries integrated in a chassis with RC-car speed controllers.

It is unsuitable for this procurement according to requirement (f) because: a) RC-car speed controllers are technically insufficient for our research and so additional engineering effort would be required to establish low-level control authority, and b) engineering effort would be required to establish a separate power supply for operating our computer and sensors. Additionally, this source cannot meet the compatibility requirement.

2) InspectorBots, offering the Megabot and the Toughbot: These platforms are unsuitable for this procurement according to requirement (f) for the same reasons as The Machine Lab (see Source 1 above). Additionally, this source cannot meet the compatibility requirement.

3) SuperDroid, offering the 4WD ATR (All Terrain Robot) and UM4: These platforms are unsuitable for this procurement according to requirement (f) for the same reason as The Machine Lab (see Source 1 above). Additionally, this source cannot meet the compatibility requirement.

4) Dr. Robot, offering the Jaguar 4x4 Wheel: Though this platform is rugged and inexpensive, it is unsuitable for this procurement according to requirements (e) and (f) because the closed chassis design would require significant modification to integrate CISD processing and sensing payloads. Additionally, this source cannot meet the compatibility requirement.

5) Robotnik, offering the Guardian and Summit XL: The Guardian platform is unsuitable for this procurement according to requirement (g) because the base model, without additional computing and sensing payload, weighs 120 kg (265

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles lbs). The Summit XL platform is unsuitable for this procurement according to requirements (e) and (f) because the closed chassis design would require significant modification to integrate CISD processing and sensing payloads.

6) Adept MobileRobots, offering the Seekur Jr.: This platform is unsuitable for this procurement according to requirement (f) because the base model, without additional computing and sensing payload, weighs 70 kg (154 lbs). Additionally, this source cannot meet the compatibility requirement.

7) Corobot, offering the Explorer 4WD: This platform is unsuitable as the exposed wiring present in the drive train will limit the robustness required to operate as described in requirement (a), and the chassis lacks a modular or otherwise flexible physical design, such as a payload tub or mounting rails, as described in requirement (e). Additionally, this source cannot meet the compatibility requirement.

8) Clearpath Robotics, offering the Warthog – Amphibious UGV: Meets all of the Government’s minimum requirements.

Due to the aforementioned, Clearpath Robotics is the only source that can meet the minimum requirements of the Government for the proposed COTS UGV platforms.

Clearpath Robotics is also the sole authorized reseller for the proposed requirement.

9. Interested Sources:

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted to Beta.SAM.gov on 13 November 2019 and closed on 27 November 2019, notifying the commercial market place of the Government’s intent to solicit and negotiate with Clearpath Robotics. Only one (1) individual responded, Douglas Harpel (provided no company information within the email). He requested for additional information related to the specific mission of the UGV buy and inquired about the UGV platforms. Upon written consultation with Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) [REDACTED] on 20 November 2019, no additional information outside of what was originally provided was deemed necessary. Upon email notification of the Government’s official response outlined above, Mr. Harpel did not acknowledge the Government’s response nor did he provide a capability statement, submit alternative product data, and did not indicate that he would bid within the synopsis period. No other vendors responded to the notice to either challenge the sole source or to show interest.

10. Other Facts:

N/A – No procurement history; first-time buy

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.

Signer’s Title: Program/Management Analyst

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

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.

Signer’s Title: [REDACTED]

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price 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

__ 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.

1/22/2020

X Christopher Moy

Contracting Officer (KO) Signed by: MOY.CHRISTOPHER.RYAN.1285356217

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

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

1/22/2020

X Christopher Moy

Supply/Service: Warthog – Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Warthog - Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for $437,350.00 on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

1/22/2020

X Christopher Moy

(End of Justification)