N64267_50404.pdf

J&A Number: 50,4 Ser Code 02/0831

Laboratories to meet Navy measurement requirements that will support long-term solvent replacement(s) for CFC-113. CFC-113 is an Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) and ceasing its use will allow Navy Calibration Laboratories to meet the Navy-wide mandate from the Chief of Naval Operations to cease the use of ODSs.

Specifically, this procurement is necessary to maintain an essential capability for engineering or developmental work for the application of investigative findings and theories of a scientific nature based on contract N6426719C0024. Contract N6426719C0024 was the first phase of a two-phased effort to develop solvent vapor sensors to support the Navy’s use of Novec 71DE/7100. The first phase sensors are complete but they were focused on vapor sensors for 3M Company’s (3M) Novec solvents. NAVSEA 05 initially selected 3M Novec solvents as a long-term replacement for CFC-113; however, 3M announced that these solvents will no longer be manufactured after December 2022. The second phase of this project will focus on investigating the use of an alternative solvent, Solstice® PF-HP, and modifying the sensors developed in the first phase so that they can accurately measure low vapor concentrations of Solstice PF-HP in nitrogen gas.

The research support that will be secured by this procurement requires a research-based educational institution with established multidisciplinary capability in engineering, scientific, and technical disciplines, including chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, computational data analysis, and scientific equipment glass blowing.

Additionally, this work builds on an established work of

, who has extensive experience and an international reputation in developing vapor sensors for organic compounds. was formerly a professor and the chair of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Since contract N6426719C0024 was awarded, has accepted a position at the University of Notre Dame (UND) and moved his research and laboratory operations there including the work being provided under Contract N6426719C0024.

continued involvement in this work is critical because of his unique expertise and qualifications, his first-hand knowledge of the current problems with NAVSEA 05’s preferred replacement solvent (Solstice PF-HP), and his understanding of how these problems will affect the vapor sensors his team has designed in the first phase of this project under contract N6426719C0024. After moving to UND, was instrumental in establishing the Analytical Science and Engineering at Notre Dame (ASEND) Core Facility, which provides the wide range of state-of-the-art chemical analysis instrumentation that is required for this project. Specifically, this effort requires access to a wide range of chemical analysis instrumentation and collaboration with subject matter experts that are well-versed in operating these instruments along with chemical analysis methods and data interpretation.

J&A Number: 50,4 Ser Code 02/0831

The sensors that group developed require special expertise to design and fabricate custom electronic circuits, and to develop custom software that employs artificial intelligence and machine-learning techniques. intends to subcontract with at UCR, which possesses both of these skill sets. The UND and UCR collaboration has already taken place under Purchase Order No.

N64267-22-P-1555, which was a short-term effort devoted to investigate and determine if the Navy-selected alternative solvent (Solstice® PF- HP) is likely to contaminate Navy test instruments or cleaning equipment with residues. holds cooperative appointments in the Computer Science and Engineering Department and the Electrical Engineering Department at UCR. designed and wrote the custom software for the sensors in the first phase under contract N6426719C0024 and fabricated the supporting electronics in his laboratory, both of which are owned by the Government.

works closely with to perform sensor testing and evaluation.

and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UND is the only known university that meets all of the criteria necessary to fulfill the requirements of this procurement.

6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO SOLICIT OFFERS FROM AS MANY

OFFERORS AS PRACTICAL:

No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5 above, for any other university to continue this ongoing research effort. This procurement was not synopsized as it is exempt from publication in accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(10).

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COSTS:

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the services covered by the Justification will be fair and reasonable. Health and Human Services rate verifications, consultation with Government subject matter experts, and data other than certified cost and pricing data will be requested to support the fair and reasonable cost determination.

8. ACTION TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO FUTURE COMPETITION:

For the reason set forth in paragraph 5 above, Corona Division has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the type of services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, Corona Division will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.