2017-00401_Environmental_Chamber_JA_for_signature_ESS.pdf_redaction_Redacted.pdf

TM#: 2017-00401

Control #:172331 P.R. Number: 1300651905

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

UNDER FAR 13.5, SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

JUSTIFICATION

The following facts support contracting for commercial items without full and open competition, using the procedures in FAR 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901.

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, RI, Contracts Department, Code 02.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Request approval to solicit and award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract on a sole source basis, to Venturedyne Limited (doing business as Thermotron Industries) for a quantity of one (1) Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

Estimated Dollar Value

FUND TYPE FY17

SCN

The NUWCDIVNPT Code 7014 Survivability Test and Evaluation branch requires one (1) Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber (Part Number: WS-600-CHM-30-30), including one (1) Thermotron T8800 Controller, one (1) 16 T-Type Thermocouple, one (1) Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber Ramp, one (1) Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber Window, and on-site installation services. The contractor shall also provide its commercially available, complete set of documentation consisting of operation manuals, drawings, wiring diagrams, and parts lists.

The required Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber will be used to test equipment that will be installed on new construction submarines. Therefore, SCN funds are appropriate for this procurement.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL UNDERSEA WARFARE CENTER DIVISION

1176 HOWELL STREET

NEWPORT RI 02841-1708

IN REPLY REFER TO

Control #:172331 P.R. Number: 1300651905

The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1): Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

On 7 March 2017 the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Warfare Centers Industrial Services and Environmental Qualification Testing (EQT) Collaboration Team was established to facilitate commonality in processes, procedures, methodologies, equipment, and personnel across the NAVSEA environmental test labs, including NUWCDIVNPT.

The Thermotron Industries environmental test chamber is the only environmental test chamber in use in the other NAVSEA environmental test labs. The Thermotron Industries environmental test chamber is the only test chamber that will ensure 100% compatibility with the existing test chambers installed in the other NAVSEA environmental test labs.

The Thermotron test chamber includes the T8800 series controller which operates on proprietary Thermotron Thermotrak software. Of the NAVSEA environmental test labs, the NUWCDIVNPT lab is the only environmental test lab currently without the Thermotron test chamber, which includes the T8800 series controller and proprietary Thermotron Thermotrak software. The Thermotrak software is currently used at the other NAVSEA Labs and includes the capability to fine tune the control parameters and then share these parameters with other Thermotron T8800 series systems, thereby reducing the time required to thermal map the Chamber. For example, when NUWCDIVNPT conducts developmental thermal testing on the inert sections of a torpedo, and then adds energetics, the results are sent to an explosive certified lab, such as NSWC Dahlgren.

With the T8800 Thermotrak software, NUWCDIVNPT will have the ability to upload the control parameters from NSWC Dahlgren’s Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber prior to testing. Using the shared test control parameters will save NUWCDIVNPT users an estimated preparing for each test. The expected savings at the current cost center billing rate equates to approximately to per test.

P.R. Number: 1300651905

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

The proposed contract action was synopsized on 14 August 2017 via posting to the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website in accordance with FAR 5.2. The synopsis stated the intention to award a contract on a sole source basis to Thermotron Industries. The synopsis stated that all responsible sources could submit a capability statement for consideration by the Government.

To date, no capable responses have been received. If a responsible source submits a capability statement for consideration by the Government prior to contract award, it will be brought to the attention of the Competition Advocate.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The contracting officer will determine the order placed pursuant to this Justification is fair and reasonable based on a price analysis in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(a)(2) and/or a cost analysis in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(a)(4), if required.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

The Government’s requirement for the Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber, with the Thermotron T8800 Controller, does not allow for substitution of another manufacturer’s products. In the event that any future acquisition of the Thermotron Environmental Test Chamber, with the Thermotron T8800 Controller, is required, the information contained in section 5 will be revisited and validated to confirm the sole source requirement still exists.

P.R. Number: 1300651905

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

CONTRACTING NEGOTIATOR IDENTIFICATION:

Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No.

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

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature and Date

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, including Acquisition Plan No. NOT APPLICABLE, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

COMBINED TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE:

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

I have determined this justification is legally sufficient.

P.R. Number: 1300651905

APPROVAL BLOCK (FAR 13.501(a)(2) for Approving Official)

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Branch Head, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone