JFTO Test Rig - SSJ - Redacted.pdf

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION March 2023 Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

Agency: Air Force Petroleum Agency (AFPET) Contracting Agency: AFLCMC/PZIBB

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

AFPET has a requirement for the procurement of up to four (4) Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Testing rigs to run stability testing in aviation turbine fuels per ASTM D3241. PZIBB is requesting authority to pursue Other than Full and Open Competition, Sole Source, for this acquisition. The contract is anticipated to be a new firm-fixed price purchase order utlizing FAR 12 & 13 procedures.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The Aerospace Fuels Laboratory (AFPET/PTPLA) has a requirement for two (2) TO10 Thermal Oxidation Testing rigs, with an option for two (2) additional units: one (1) unit for AFPET/ PTPLE and one (1) for AFPET/ PTPLH. This equipment is manufactured by AD Systems, and sold exclusively through its partner company, DC Scientific.

The TO10 features a thermocouple (temperature sensor measuring temperature by converting differences to electrical voltage) that allows for multi-point external calibration, ensuring the quality of testing at precise temperature points, including those at higher temperatures. This enhanced calibration capability will improve quality control when testing high-temperature, thermally stable fuels.

The ability for temperature control for this test is important to the stress put on the fuel and therefore the outcome of whether the fuel itself is passing or failing. To eliminate temperature variations as a possible source of this the capability to calibrate the testing thermocouple at precise operating temperature would ensure that we are testing at exactly the temperature necessary and holding there as required.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements and FAR 13.106-1(b) - Soliciting from a single source.

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

AFTPET performs Jet Fuel thermal oxidation testing per the ASTM D3241standards, which helps ensure fuel quality, reliability, and safety, ultimately contributing to mission success and operational readiness. AFPET needs to ensure high levels of confidence in their launch vehicles and systems used. Thermal stability testing of fuels used is one method to ensure confidence. The TO10 is the only ASTM D3241 standard approved equipment that utilizes the thermocouple.

The lab currently utilizes other ASTM D3241 approved pieces of equipment. With these equipment pieces, a number of samples marginally failing this test and many irregularities in results from current models being used. Fuel is tested at 265, 275 and 325 routinely but some fuels that may need to be run at potentially higher temperatures. With how the other approved ASTM D3241 pieces of equipment are set up, there is not a way to calibrate the thermocouple to any higher temperature than 327, nor can it be verified that the readings at 265 or 325 are accurate. The temperature control for this test is important to the stress put on the fuel and therefore the outcome of whether the fuel itself is passing or failing. To eliminate temperature variations as a possible source of this the capability to calibrate the testing thermocouple at precise operating temperature would ensure that we are testing at exactly the temperature necessary and holding there as required.

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION March 2023 Page 3 of 4

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Market research indicates two other manufacturers produce instruments capable of performing Jet Fuel thermal oxidation testing per ASTM D3241. However, these alternatives lack the ability to externally calibrate and certify the main thermocouple, particularly at the elevated temperatures required for high-temperature thermally stable fuels, as well as standard jet fuel. This thermal oxidation test is a critical determinant of fuel quality and usability for aircraft within the Air Force and across the DoD. AFPET's testing significantly impacts fuel acceptance, ensuring fuel meets the necessary requirements for purchase, guaranteeing a safe fuel supply at each base to maintain mission readiness, and supporting incident investigations. Furthermore, AFPET facilitates the testing of novel fuels, potentially enhancing the Air Force's capabilities and lethality.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer (CO) will determine the anticipated cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable by utilizing a price analysis approach as outlined in FAR 13.106-3(a)(2). This approach focuses on comparing the proposed price with available market data to establish reasonableness. specifically, the CO intends to proceed with techniques FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii), (iii), and (iv).

The CO will research and compare the proposed price against prices found reasonable on previous Government purchases of similar items. This includes evaluating similar items with comparable functionalities, specifications, and quantities. This analysis will involve considering any relevant market trends or changes since those previous purchases, such as inflation, availability of materials, or technological advancements.

As part of the Request for Quotation (RFQ), the contracting office will request that offeror provides redacted invoices from three (3) similar purchases made by non-government customers. These invoices will include varying quantities and accessories to provide a broader data set for comparison. With these invoices, the CO will assess price consistency by determining if the proposed price aligns with the prices charged to commercial customers for similar products and services. Additionally, these invoices will act as an indicator of market pricing for the requested goods.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

There are other manufacturers, as shown on market research, that produce instruments to perform Jet Fuel thermal oxidation testing per ASTM D3241. However they do not possess the ability to externally calibrate/certify the main thermocouple on the instruments and not to higher temperatures that align with the testing range for high temperature thermally stable fuels as well as standard jet fuel.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The guiding document for this test is ASTM D3241, recently the committee that controls the document updated to include the TO10 instrument from DC Scientific. This allowed AFPET to seek a purchase action for this instrument as the other two approved instruments for this test do not have the external calibration/certification capabilities as the TO10 does.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

Hopefully manufactures will continue to innovate equipment for quality assurance testing to produce equipment with