J&A_PL1954_-_Hull_Crawlers_Executed.pdf

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NA VY

PORTSMOUTH NA VAL SHIPYARD

PORTSMOUTH,NH03804-5000 IN REPLY REFER TO

J&A Number: PL-1954

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FOR SOLE SOURCE ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

PURSUANT TO FAR 13 . 5

1 . Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command Field Procurement Office, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (N39040), Kittery ME.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a sole source fixed-price contract to International Climbing Machines (ICM) for the purchase of five Hull Crawler robots for distribution at the four Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) corporate shipyards (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard) , and one detachment (Yokosuka, Japan) .

3. Description of Supplies/Services

The required supplies covered under this Justification and Approval (J & A) are for ICM to manufacture and deliver five units. The Naval shipyards require a robotic solution that is capable of carrying a variety of payloads (ship maintenance/repair tools) for use at four Naval Shipyards and Repair and Maintenance Facility - Yokosuka, Japan. The robot shall be designed such that it will pass NAVSEA safety requirements, non-magnetized, shall traverse across ship hulls using vacuum only, UL parts listed, FCC compliant, with capability to attach a cradle in order to carry specific tools that can complete maintenance actions for various types of Navy ship hulls .

The total estimated value of this acquisition is $743,725.00 to be funded with FY19 Operations & Maintenance (OM&N) funds.

August 28, 2020 is the projected delivery date.

SOUCE SELECTION I NFORMATION - SEE FAR 2 .101 AND 3. 104

J&A Number: PL-1954

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

FAR 13.50l(a), "Sole source (including brand name) acquisitions," procedures were used in accordance with 41 U.S.C. § 1901.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

Extensive research for alternate sources was completed but found no similar capability, foreign or domestic. The current requirement calls for vacuum-only adherence to the hull and must be non-magnetized. The robot has to be capable of maneuvering on a ship's hull in any attitude regardless of hull material. A machine with these capabilities is available from only one responsible source. ICM owns the proprietary equipment and proprietary drawings, and is experienced in manufacturing a robot that will work adjacent to the submarine Special Hull Treatment.

The ICM hull crawler vehicle has the ability to successfully traverse smooth curved surfaces in any attitude. ICM holds patents to the technology that sets these particular hull crawlers apart from other machines performing similar applications.

The possibility of using a live magnetic field was the only other possibility but it was determined that the field would be too strong. A magnetic field of this strength could cause issues with equipment and personnel inside the hull.

Designs that use a water circuit or suction cups to create the vacuum source will not meet the requirement of the Naval shipyards. One company sells a robotic system for the removal of coatings. This company utilizes a water circuit to create the vacuum source. This particular robot has been used by Naval assets for preservation work on ships, however, this vehicle is built for the purpose of coatings removal only. Also due to its size and adherence performance, this vehicle will not meet this requirement.

Other companies offer robots that utilize vacuum through suction cups. These particular robots do not provide a stable platform for performing some of the intended work. The ICM robot utilizes a moving vacuum system. The radiological surveys conducted during maintenance by the Naval activities require a continuous scan across the entire hull structure. Therefore, a consistent stand-off from the hull is necessary. A robot that utilizes suction cups does not move as smoothly as the ICM Hull Crawler.

The ICM robot maintains a seal over surfaces with differences up

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION - SEE FAR 2.101 AND 3.104

to one inch, operates in the presence of wet surfaces, and is adaptable to various tools.

ICM holds two US patents and two international patents for this -technology/method. The ICM robot is configured to support multiple tools. The robots are paired through a cradle. The robots will be purchased without the cradle as the Navy will be designing and developing the cradle to function as a universal tool holder.

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

Three companies were contacted in the robotic industry without any successful leads. No company had any information on a robot that could work on the submarine hull in the areas of the Special Hull Treatments in any attitude.

On 22 April 2019, the Contract Specialist conducted market research via a sources sought notice posted to https: //www.fbo.gov/. The notice sought vendors with the capability to construct these hull crawler robots . No responses were received.

Notice of this justification and the Government's intended modification of the aforementioned contracts will be provided on https: / /www.fbo.gov/ in accordance with FAR 6.305.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer anticipates the cost to the Government for the items covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will use price analysis, including historical price estimating relationships from previous procurements, to determine that the final price to the Government is fair and reasonable. Assistance from the GSA Advantage and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) may be utilized to analyze, evaluate, and negotiate based upon detailed cost and/or pricing data at the conclusion of negotiations . The Government anticipates that International Climbing Machines will propose similar price offered to the market place in response to the requirement.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

After further design and development is complete on the model procured under this requirement, future solicitations may be competitive on a brand name or equal basis. This will be determined at the time of the next procurement, if any.

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 acquisition planning data and Acquisition Strategy except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

TBCHN~~

signB.tureGi~ Code t,f6ff ¢/11J 1200 207-438-2276

Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIE:,W (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

is legally sufficient.

~1lor, Code lOOL 207-438-4920

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION {FAR 6.303-2(b) (12))

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the bes~ my knowledge and belief.

({/~-~ 6110/14 Signatur~ Christina Ellis, Code 410.1 207-438-2422 Date

APPROVAL BLOCK {FAR 6.304 for Approving Official)

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Competition Advocate for the Procuring Activity the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s} described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 o.s.c.

2304 (c) (1) .

Chief of the Contracting Off ice

Signature Date

Nicholas Kulakowski, Code 410 c,p_;jj 207-438-5253

SOORCB SELECTION :rNFORMATION - SEE FAR 2.101 AND 3.104