Limited Sources Justification for GSA Posting.pdf

ERDC Control No. 20-1828

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (EDRC CERL)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds:_Army RDT&E_

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $280,000.00

b. The Government has a requirement for two (2) Caterpiller 299D3 XE Compact Track

Loaders (CTL).

One unit will be the standard Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) 299D3 XE Compact Track Loader with hydraulic coupler and -purpose bucket with bolt on cutting edge attachment included, and with capabilities for fully electronic control utilizing electro-hydraulic components. This 299D3 XE CTL must also be capable of operating the same worktool attachments that are included with the 299D3 XE CTL with NLOS Remote Control Capabilities.

One unit will include Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) Remote Control capabilities in addition to the capabilities for fully electronic control utilizing electro-hydraulic components. The NLOS capabilities specifically include:

o a vision system that provide 360 degrees visilibity around the platform, o ruggedized tablet to enable control of the vehicle and operator feedback, o remote control engine control module, o indicator lights (Red/Blue/Green) that denote the mode of control for safe operation, o wiring harness to enable interaction with the platforms Control Area

Network (CAN) bus, o two remote control radios (one on the platform, one on the control station), o and mounting provisions

This NLOS unit shall also include the following worktool attachments CTL shall include o Hydraulic Coupler o -purpose bucket with bolt on cutting edge o Vibratory drum compactor, o Industrial grapple rake, o and a 6-way dozer blade.

4. Authority:

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program, Title III fo the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 USC 251, et seq); Title 40 USC 501, Services for Executive Agencies; and Section 803 of the National Defense Authorization Acto of 2002 (PL 107-107) and FAR Acquistion Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The CERL Robotics for Engineer Operations (REO) research program is developing new unmanned capabilities in support of Combat Engineers. The size of the selected Compacty Track Loader is an optimal pick when compromising between capabilities and transportability. Additionally, these unmanned pieces of equipment will need to be operated at NLOS distances in order to minimize risk to operators. NLOS remote control requires special electro-hydraulic components, as well as, the appropriate wiring architecture to enable drive-by-wire (fully electronically controlled).

While there are numerous heavy equipment manufacturers, and dealers and distributors of heavy equipment products and attachments, Caterpillar is currently the only U.S.-owned original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with commercial equipment incorporating the three key aspects for effective teleoperation: electro-hydraulic components, drive-by-wire architecture, and remote control systems. Other OEMs are relying on third-party companies to provide the remote control capabilities.

There are multiple risks associated with relying on third parties. OEM drive-by-wire architectures usually include encrypted and proprietary CAN signals. There is no guarantee a third-party would be able to replicate the functionality resulting from use of these signals. In risk of rendering the third-party solution obsolete and require costly rework. The U.S. Army would end up with a one-off designed platform.

Finally, the Government currently owns, utilizes, and has built expertise on a Caterpillar NLOS remote control system for the CAT 308 mini-hydraulic excavator. The NLOS remote control system for the CTLs will be the same system as the mini-hydraulic excavators. Therefore, using add extra development work to obtain the same level of expertise as with the Caterpillar system. The Government is able to take advantage of existing development and expertise utilizing the Caterpillar system and ensure minimal developmental risk to the U.S.

Army.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, the Army Corps of Engineers does not believe it is in the best interest of the Government to compete this action for the equipment described in this document. Being a research and development organization, ERDC continues and will continue to stay abreast of changing, technological developments, new products, equipment, materials, and supplies which may become available and can in the future be used to satisfy similar requirements. If another potential source emerges, the ERDC will assess whether competition for future requirements are feasible and will promote the use of full and open competition to the maximum extent practicable. In order to broaden industry participation and to promote the use of small business sub-contracting pertaining to the NLOS technology and integration, any future procurements will be synopsized at the government-wide point of entry (GPE), the Federal Business Opportunities website. All interested responsible sources will be informed that they can submit a capability statement including their ability to provide the requirement for consideration by the ERDC. However, as described in Paragraph 5, the Army Corps of Engineers does intend to make use of competition in order to award a contract for the equipment and NLOS technology related to this requirement.

7. Market Research:

(1) Market research included online research and in-person discussions with Caterpillar and Horiba Mira. Horiba Mira is a U.K.-based third-party company developing on a U.K.-based OEM platform. In addition, third-party drive-by-wire harnesses are available through companies such as Applied Research Associates, AutonomouStuff, QinetiQ, and Torq Robotics. These drive-by-wire harnesses add additional costs in the order of $150k and require extensive integration efforts. In addition, extensive R&D efforts gained between Caterpillar and the ERDC under their current Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, would be discontinued with the use of a new OEM platform and third party vendor. The operational testing is estimated at $1.2-$1.5 million per year. Any discontinuation with Caterpillar would result in the government incurring additional re-tooling costs, systems re-testing cost, and operational re-testing of the third party platform, which would increase costs and delay the schedule of the R&D initiatives being conducted.

(2) All market research was conducted between 01 OCT 2019 10 DEC 2019.

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Purchase order or contract number:_W9132T19F0017______________ Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale: FAR 8.405- 6)(a)(1)(i)(B). The rationale for the prior procurement is essentially the same as the rationale detailed in Section 5 above.

9. Additional information to support the justification:

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By:

Position Title:

Email Address:

Signature:

Date:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12 :

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Typed Name:

Title:

Signature:

Date: