LC.NSWCCD JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (signed) R_Redacted.pdf

IN REPLY REFER TO:

J&A Number: 22-CCR-016 Code: 618

P.R. Number: 1300990766

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), Contracting & Acquisitions Department (Code 02).

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a firm fixed price 5-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to an authorized reseller for continuous fiber composite material additive manufacturing (AM) systems and Offline Eiger slicing software in support of ongoing Marine Corps programs that provide fleet operation readiness and operational availability, specifically in the Expeditionary Fabrication (XFAB) program of record.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

Code 618 requires the award of an IDIQ contract to purchase an initial order and continuing orders of Markforged X7 Field Edition (FE) AM Systems and supporting slicing software, Offline Eiger.

The estimated total value for this IDIQ contract is approximately $3.79M. The funding for the initial and planned orders is expected to be 100% Marine Corps funding, appropriation PMC. An estimated funding profile for this effort is located in the Table below. An estimated $302K will be funded for the first order at the time of award. The initial acquisition order will be completed in FY22 and all follow-on orders will be through FY26.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

CARDEROCK DIVISION

9500 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD

WEST BETHESDA MD 20817-5700

Table: Appropriation by FY Funds Type

FY22

($K)

FY23

($K)

FY24

($K)

FY25

($K)

FY26

($K)

Total Program ($M)

PMC 302 665 854 939 1,033 3.79

The supplies include the X7 FE systems and Offline Eiger slicing software to be acquired over the course of the 5-year contract period as listed and in quantities indicated in the Table, below. The contractor shall provide the items and quantities identified in the Minimum Quantity columns of the table in the first order of the contract. The contractor shall provide additional AM systems and software, up to a maximum number of 27 new systems over the course of the contract period.

Manufacturer Part # Description Minimum Quantity

Maximum Quantity

Markforged F-PR-3013-D X7 Field Edition

3 30

Markforged SW-0006-D Offline Eiger

Lifetime Subscription

3 30 certifying technical and requirements personnel.

MANUFACTURER:

Markforged, Inc.

480 Pleasant Street Watertown, MA 02472

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(3). The property or services needed by the agency are available from only one brand and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the agency.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

The supplies and services listed in Paragraph 3 above are requires an AM system capable of printing continuous fiber and composite material, and the Markforged X7 AM systems are required in order to replicate first article units of the XFAB systems that underwent testing at NSWC Crane Division.

The Markforged printers were the only printers tested because they are the only continuous fiber composite material printers in the U.S.. NSWCCD has previously procured three (3) Markforged X7 AM systems under contract N0016720P0135. These previously procured systems have already been integrated into XFAB systems, thus the government requires Markforged printers for its production of continuous fiber and composite material because it is the only brand of printer compatible with the current Markforged X7 AM systems in place. All Markforged software that accompanies the hardware is proprietary. Thus, if the printers are purchased, the Markforged software must also be purchased.

In order to maintain on-going standardization and consistency amongst the XFAB systems undergoing testing at NSWC Crane and being deployed to the Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs), the Government requires Markforged X7 AM systems because this brand of 3D printer has already received testing certification, cybersecurity certification, and fielding approval from the USMC Program Manager Supply & Maintenance Systems. Consequently, the Markforged X7 AM systems are part of the baseline for the XFAB system. In fact, the use of this specific brand and model of AM system factored into the specifications of each XFAB system, as it pertains to space, weight, and tie downs for each shelter.

Should the Government use a different brand of composite material and continuous fiber 3D printer within the XFAB system, the layout of shelter and the weight would change and negatively impact the standardization and consistency amongst the XFAB systems. If there is inconsistency amongst the XFAB systems, the systems would have to be re-baselined and require additional research, development, and testing.

Additionally, the Government would experience an estimated 9-12 month delay with the acquisition and development of the XFAB System, due to the need to conduct additional testing of the AM System, as well as need to obtain a new authorization to operate (ATO). This delay to this mission essential work for the Marine Corps Systems Command is undesirable and would result in a failure to deliver the XFAB systems according to the fielding plan. Moreover, the

Government may incur a substantial duplication of costs in the development and acquisition of XFAB Systems using a different brand of AM System, and the Government does not expect to recover these costs through open competition of minimum specifications.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many

Offerors as Practicable

The proposed contract will be synopsized via posting on the System for Award Management (SAM) website in accordance with FAR 5.2 as a combined synopsis/solicitation for the acquisition of a commercial item notifying industry of the Govern from an authorized reseller. The contract file will be documented as to the response received from the synopsis.

This acquisition is determined to be brand name because only Markforged X7 AM systems meet the system requirements for the XFAB program. Therefore, only authorized resellers will be solicited.

Market Survey: Market research was conducted for Markforged X7 AM systems. See the attached IGCE for more details on the market research and the attached requirements for more details on the system requirements.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a), the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) shall ensure that all supplies and services provided under this contract are procured at a fair and reasonable price. The contractor will submit a formal priced offer with certified cost or pricing data and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. Experienced technical analysts and contract specialists with the aid of necessary field pricing support will . The PCO will use past procurements from the Navy and other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies that have acquired Markforged systems.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

The Government will continue to canvass the additive manufacturing industry (via symposiums, conferences, RDT&E testing) for advancements in the PCMM market. If the capability of the continuous fiber composite material AM systems technology changes, the Government will reexamine future needs and applications. Open communication with the continuous fiber composite material AM systems industry is kept at all times.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(c))

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and its supporting data, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE: