Final_Redacted_J A_N00178-15-C-4118.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

DAHLGREN DIVISION

6149 WELSH ROAD, SUITE 203

DAHLGREN, VIRGINIA 22448-5117

IN REPLY REFER TO

DL 13294

N00178-15-R-4118 23 June 2015

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Contracts Department.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a firm fixed priced contract on a brand name basis for critical equipment required in order· to purchase a new Thermal Analysis Suite, to include a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermo gravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Thermo Mechanical Analyzer (TMA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) to minimize impact of service disruption, manufactured by Mettler-Toledo, Inc.

Current equipment is obsolete and/or not functioning at all, and is beyond economical repair. New equipment is necessary to provide accurate thermal analysis.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

Mettler-Toledo, Inc. will be providing delivery, setup, installation, and training on the following components:

Part Number Description

30064098 STARe System Differential Scanning Calorimeter

(DSC) 2/700

30064104 STARe Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) I Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)

2/LF/1100

51143059 STARe FLASH Differential Scanning Calorimeter

(DSC) 1

30129076 STARe System Thermo Mechanical Analyzer

(TMA) /STDA 1

Qty

30027401 STARe System Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)

The components must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with systems presently installed. The period of performance for this procurement will be 120 days after receipt of the order.

The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

The following unique capabilities are provided by the Mettler-· Toledo, Incorporated Thermal Analysis Suite making them the only company capable of meeting the government's minimum requirements:

I

(1) This specific Thermal Suite with flexible calibration for multiple pans and gas combination and can perform tests with 1 calibration for multiple heating/cooling rates;

(2) The system is able to, without being programmed, return to room temperature before starting the next run;

(3) The system can run multiple instruments simultaneously/consecutively from a single software package;

(4) The system has a Flash Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) that is chip calorimetery with a heating rate of

2.4 million degrees Celsius per minute and a cooling rate of 240,000 degrees Celsius per minute;

(5) The system has stereo microscopy to load samples and view transitions;

(6) The system Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA)/DSC has a single a~is auto sampler with lid piercing needle that opens the sample while it is picked up and placed in the instrument;

(7) The system has an ADSC that has a single axis auto sampler and a user replaceable ceramic sensor and has the capability to record a video of the sample behavior;

(8) The system Dynamic Mechanic Analyzer (DMA) has full submersion capability in all modes of sample deformation with direct control of the fluid temperature to ramp and hold isothermal; and

(9) The system has a Thermo Graphic Mechanical Analyzer (TMA) that can perform experiments to a maximum temperature of 1600C and simultaneously measures the sample temperature directly with a thermocouple.

No other vendor's similar products can meet all of these existing requirements. Only one source is available to meet the government's minimum requirements. The system price also includes installation by an approved Mettler Toledo technician.

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

Market research included reviewing relevant catalogs and other product literature published by scientific equipment manufacturers, distributors, and dealers through on-line research and discussions with technical government personnel with knowledge of this type of system/equipment. There were only three vendors that manufacture equipment in this area of analysis and experimentation. One is TA Instruments. While TA instruments are

·superior to Perkin Elmer, they do not have built in spectroscopy which is available from Mettler Toledo. Another one is PerkinElmer. PerkinElmer equipment is what we currently have and their level of available capability is significantly below that of the equipment available from Mettler Toledo and does not meet our minimum requirements as well. The last was Mettler Toledo, Incorporated which meets all the government's minimum requirements. As this equipment is proprietary to Mettler Toledo, Inc., they are the only source available to provide the required Thermal Analysis Suite.

This investment will also ensure opportunities for synergy with other WC Divisions continue, providing chemical analysis as needed in· an accurate and timely fashion. If not procured, a reduction in capability will occur as equipment continues to age beyond its serviceable lifespan and break down.

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Also, NSWC Command and NAVSEA have approved the purchase of this system through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) processes.

The proposed contract was synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website on 10 February 2015. In addition to Mettler-Tole~o's response a response was received from TA Instruments. The Technical Representative indicated in writing that TA's quote failed to meet critical details that were deemed necessary for the system needed to support research needs.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the equipment covered by the J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

There are no plans in the near future to procure this type of system. This system should meet the government's needs for many years to come. Should another suite be required, market research will be performed to determine if the market has changed and additional systems can be considered. Future procurements will be researched and considered for open competition. If another potential source emerges, Dahlgren Contract Division will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

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

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which_are included in this justification and its supporting data, are complete and accurate to _the best of my knowledge and belief.

Phone No.

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

Date justification is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(a) (12))

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge an e ief.

Date