C14 Redacted BNJ.pdf

Subj: BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION TO ACQUIRE APEX MICRO TECHNOLOGY BRAND

OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited Source Justification.”

This is a brand name justification. Contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), 110 Vernon Avenue, Panama City, FL 32407-7001.

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

This action will award a firm fixed price purchase order, on a brand name basis, to acquire Apex Micro Technology brand operational amplifiers for the AN/AQS-20 Minehunting System. The amplifiers are being acquired to offset obsolescence issues within the AN/AQS-20 system.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The following items are being acquired:

Part Number Item Name Qty

PA107DP Operational Amplifiers Op Amps Linear OpAmp, 200V, 1.5Acont 5Apeak, 3000V/us, 180MHz RoHS Compliant By Exemp

The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures with a total dollar value above micro-purchase levels. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements.

4. Identification of the justification rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

Application for brand name description FAR 6.302-1(c).

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Apex is the only brand of equipment that will meet the Government’s needs for the following reasons. The AN/AQS-20 system is an unmanned mine hunting submersible consisting of commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment. After decades of service, the AN/AQS-20 has some obsolescence issues which necessitates the need for some subsystems to be replaced or upgraded. As the original equipment manufacturer of the operational amplifiers, Apex Micro Technology is the only brand of amplifiers that can properly replace existing equipment without necessitating additional Government tasking. If an alternate amplifier were acquired that fit the footprint (pin/signal layout), it would require a class 2 engineering change proposal (ECP) and extensive testing.

This testing would involve depot validation/verification testing followed by in water testing so that the Q20 vehicle could transmit in water. After all testing is completed, full Post Mission Analysis (PMA) would need to be done to compare newly acquired sonar data from testing to previously recorded data. IF the alternate op-amp was not form/fit/and or function, it would require a Class 1 ECP and full redesign of the CCA. The cost impact of this additional tasking would be:

In water testing - $/day Post Mission Analysis (PMA) – Minimum man-hours - $ Class 2 ECP - $

It is not expected that these additional costs would be recouped through competition. The time to accomplish this additional tasking would be eighteen months after receiving funding for the ECP. Finally, these operational amplifiers must be accurate and be able to function properly and efficiently in this harsh marine environment.

Additionally, these operational amplifier units, manufactured by Apex Micro Technology, have been designed and ruggedized to meet harsh shipboard environments. These are the only amplifiers are both compatible with the

AN/AQS-20 system and meet the stringent U.S. Navy environmental requirements of MIL-STD-810E, the critical shock requirements of MIL-S-901D, the vibration requirements of MIL-STD-167, and the EMI/EMC requirements of MIL-STD-461E. As such, the Government does not expect significant savings through competition and does expects significant and unacceptable delays that will negatively impact this requirement. Therefore, it is imperative that only Apex Micro Technology brand operational amplifiers are acquired.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

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

For the reasons specified in paragraph 4 above, Apex Micro Technology is the only brand of operational amplifiers that will meet the Government’s needs.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None

8. 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.

For the reasons specified in paragraph 4 above, Apex Micro Technology is the only brand of operational amplifiers that will meet the Government’s needs.