NECO_SSJ_Debris_Observation.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE (<SAT)

The services listed on N6228519RC036AE are sole source and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available for this service.

Restricted to the following source.

Company:

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona 933 N Cherry Ave Tucson, AZ 85719

CAGE: 0LJH3

POC:

Dr. Eric Pearce, Professor, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona 520-621-2309 epearce@email.arizona.edu

Description of the services required, the estimated cost, and required performance period.

Research into the generation and evolution of orbital debris, primarily in the geosynchronous belt and beyond. Primary interest is in the collection and analysis of infrared phenomenology, with a focus on observing small objects (1U or smaller) in the short wave, midwave and long wave infrared (SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR). Data should include images, photometry and spectrometry in all three wavelength regimes. Data will be taken with the 3.8 m United Kingdom Infra-Red Telescope (UKIRT) telescope. The requirement will include a 9-month base period and an option for an additional 9-month period.

Specific unique characteristics of the services or service provider that limit the availability to a sole source. Describe in detail why only this suggested source can fulfill the Navy’s requirements to the exclusion of other sources, and provide market research to support the determination.

University of Arizona has access to a unique proprietary data set collected by the UKIRT telescope over the 2014-2017-time period, during which time they were the operators of the telescope. They further have the observation planning, execution, and data processing and analysis that were previously developed that are intrinsic to the performance of the new requirement. Given their unique access to the data, the tools they have developed independently of the Government, and their extensive background and understanding of the UKIRT telescope, only the University of Arizona can perform the new requirement.

I CERTIFY THAT THE REQUESTED SERVICES REPRESENT THE MINIMUM NEEDS OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS COMPLETE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROCESSING OF THIS SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION PRECLUDES THE USE OF FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.

Requirements Cognizance:

Signature _____________________________Title ____________________________

Activity: United State Naval Observatory Date ____________________________

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