Sole_Source_Justification.pdf

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SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION / BRAND NAME SPECIFICATION

LCAT Transducer Design

PR 1300618863

BACKGROUND:

Image Acoustics, Inc. was formed in 1974 to provide acoustical engineering services to both industry and government. The services range from theoretical studies to the development of practical designs, particularly in the area of acoustical transducers. Assistance is also provided in the development of a product including recommendations for manufacturing and testing. Advice, education and direction are offered along with a battery of analytical tools and computer programs which have been developed.

Image Acoustics Inc. recently completed a contract with NUWC to evaluate new innovative array technology for the Technology Refresh Program. A trade study comparing two transducer types, tonpilz and Leveraged Acoustic Cylindrical Transducer (LCAT) was conducted. LCAT testing was performed under the prior contract to obtain test data used in the trade study. The trade study concluded that the LCAT array using textured ceramics is the best candidate transducer for a new array.

REQUIREMENT:

NUWC Division Newport requires an array design be developed using the LCAT technology which can achieve the performance goals of the Technology Refresh array. The transducer element design is based on the LCAT US Patent 8,599,648 B1 that Image Acoustics, Inc. currently holds. These new transducer technologies allow both low and high band arrays in the current configuration to be consolidated into one array covering the entire band of operation. These new innovative technologies will substantially reduce the cost of a future array.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION/BRAND NAME SPECIFICATION:

Image Acoustics performed a trade study showing the merits of using the LCAT in the Tech Refresh array design. The Tech Refresh array design will be based on a scaled version of a LCAT design that Image Acoustics developed for the Office Naval Research. Image Acoustics holds the patent on the LCAT and has prior development work on the LCAT technology.

RESELLERS:

There are no authorized resellers. The LCAT is a proprietary product of Image Acoustics.

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Requiring Department:

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a Sole Source/Brand Name Specification basis. I certify the technical data which form the basis of this justification are complete and accurate.

Dino Roberti, Code 8541