JA_4_PORT_NVNA_REDACTED.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY

4555 OVERLOOK AVE SW

WASHINGTON, DC 20375-5320

Purchase Request No.: 57-4016-19 J&A No.: J&A8.405-6-19-KN01

Estimated Cost: $645,221.89

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

IAW FAR 8.405-6(c)

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. The primary statutory authorities are Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251, et seq.) and Title 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), proposes to place an order against a General Service Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract on a limited source basis.

1. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The action being approved is an award of a firm-fixed-price order to be placed on a limited source basis against a GSA FSS to Keysight Technologies, Inc. of Englewood, CO.

2. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This action is for a Four Port, Non-Linear Vector Network Analyzer (N-VNA) Measurement System with the capability to analyze the behavior of non-linear radiofrequency (RF) receiver front-end components such as RF mixers and Low-Noise amplifiers (LNAs) as well as diode-based metamaterials and other non-linear electronic components when they are subjected to both small and large-signal excitations. The N-VNA Measurement System must have a maximum frequency measurement capability of 67 GHz. Additionally, in order to measure 2-, 3-, and 4-port linear and non-linear microwave networks with pulsed waveform excitations, the N-VNA Measurement System is required to have four ports with pulse modulation capability on, at least, the first port, with the ability to perform noise figure measurements on both RF mixers, and LNAs. NRL also requires that the N-VNA Measurement System offering come with all of the necessary components for calibration.

Market research found the N-VNA Measurement System, in its base configuration, to be a commercial item available on GSA Schedule Contract GS07F280AA. The open market items necessary for the base configuration to meet the required specifications of this action are existing and customary enhancements to the N-VNA. The costs associated with these enhancements are expected to be minimal by comparison to the total price of the N-VNA Measurement System. As such, the presence of open market items in this action do not impact NRL’s ability to use a GSA FSS. The estimated cost of this action is $645,222. The Four Port (N-VNA) Measurement System is required to be delivered by 30 September 2019. See table below for a breakdown.

Estimated Dollar Value:

Funding Type FY-19 Total

Capital Purchase Program (CPP) Fund $645,222 $645,222

Non-Linear Vector Network Analyzer (N-VNA) Measurement System Purchase Request No.: 57-4016-19

J&A8.405-6-19-KN01

3. The authority and supporting rationale (see FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor's unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

The authority to limit sources is 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. Additionally, in accordance with FAR 8.405-6 (b)(1), brand name specifications are used for this procurement. Market research indicates that other companies’ products lack the technique for measuring X-parameters, and therefore do not meet NRL’s requirements. The performance specifications for this action require the delivered N-VNA to interact with existing NRL assets. In order to directly import measurements into existing NRL software/ equipment, small-signal microwave network analysis measurement outputs must be in the form of S-parameters and large-signal, nonlinear measurement result outputs must be equivalent to X-parameter measurement outputs.

NRL currently uses the Advanced Design System (ADS) X-parameter circuit simulation software module manufactured by Keysight Technologies, Inc. for measurement analysis and interactions with other laboratories. The technique for measuring X-parameters is proprietary to Keysight Technologies, Inc. Market research did not identify an authorized reseller that offers this capability. As such, there is no alternative vendor for this product.

4. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), supplies offered on the schedule are listed at fixed prices. GSA has determined the prices of supplies to be fair and reasonable only for the purpose of establishing the schedule contract. However, GSA's determination does not relieve the ordering activity Contracting Officer from the responsibility of making a determination of fair and reasonable pricing for individual orders. As such, the Contracting Officer will determine through price analysis that the anticipated price to the Government for the N-VNA Measurement System covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

By placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the ordering activity has concluded that the order represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government's needs. Additionally, and in accordance with FAR 17.502, a Determination of Best Procurement Approach which found that ordering from a GSA Schedule represents the best value to the Government was signed by the Contracting Officer on 2019.

5. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research found the N-VNA Measurement System to be a commercial item available on the GSA Schedule Contract GS07F280AA. As stated above, the technique for measuring X-parameters is proprietary to Keysight Technologies, Inc. and they are the only company that offers this capability.

Market research did not identify an alternative vendor for this product. Accordingly, the Government does not have a reasonable expectation of competition as only Keysight Technologies, Inc. is capable of providing the N-VNA Measurement System. As such, and in accordance with FAR 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(B), consideration for award of this action is limited to only Keysight Technologies, Inc.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification

NRL posted a Request for Information (RFI) on FedBizOpps for ten days to determine if there was any vendors that could provide a Four-Port Non-Linear Vector Network Analyzer (N-VNA) that met NRL’s

Non-Linear Vector Network Analyzer (N-VNA) Measurement System Purchase Request No.: 57-4016-19

J&A8.405-6-19-KN01

specifications. Keysight Technologies, Inc. was the only vendor that provided a capability statement in response to the RFI. The Technical Capability Statement meets the Government’s requirements.

7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

When conducting market research, NRL engaged with the vendors to determine their product offerings and capabilities. Additionally, the RFI was posted at FedBizOpps. All of these factors were considered and currently Keysight Technologies Inc. is the only vendor that can meet NRL’s requirements.

If another potential source emerges or new technology is developed which can advance future research, NRL will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.