Sole_Source_Justification_20190621_Redacted.pdf

v1.3_DECEMBER 2018

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

Purchase of OptiTrack Internal Positioning System

PR 1300779530

BACKGROUND:

Requiring Activity: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Code 851

Opti-Track Prime 41 12-camera Internal Positioning System (IPS) o NUWCDIVNPT requires an IPS in order to facilitate precise positional measurements of autonomous systems. The Opti-Track Prime 41 12-camera system is required due to the flexibility of the hardware system itself, its range of operations, as well as its use in

Academia. Georgia Tech (GT), a university that NUWCDIVNPT works with, utilizes this system and as such, NUWCDIVNPT must maintain similarities between systems in order to share work as is authorized by a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement

(CRADA). In addition, the project associated with this purchase (SUPERSWARM, a high-visibility cross-warfare center collaborative project) is working with an Office of Naval

Research (ONR) sponsor that is funding GT as well, and as such, NUWCDIVNPT needs to maintain the same setup). GT is utilizing an Opti-Track positioning system, so

NUWCDIVNPT needs to maintain the same inputs and outputs from the system for compatibility and data sharing purposes.

o Delivery date: 1 week after receipt of Purchase Order o Anticipated total value: $76,090.00

REQUIREMENT:

Sole Source Justification:

This is a sole-source procurement as there are no equivalent IPS available that meet the same needs, standards, and configurations required for SUPERSWARM Science and Technology

(S&T) research.

This IPS is fully customizable to the space in which it will be used – the NUWCDIVNPT Rapid

Innovation Center (RIC) - and is utilized by GT (a CRADA University working with the project’s ONR Sponsor) and as such, NUWCDIVNPT needs to maintain the same setup. If

NUWCDIVNPT does not procure this specific IPS, recurring costs would include the constant need to ensure compatibility between IPSs for every joint project done with GT. In addition, potential lack of customizability similar to the Opti-Track system would require additional purchases of separate hardware, requiring integration and additional labor. This purchase represents a significant addition to the S&T capabilities at NUWCDIVNPT as there is not an IPS available anywhere on site. It opens up a huge RDT&E capability for Artificial Intelligence

(AI), Machine Learning, robotics, and any field that can take advantage of motion capture, so it directly aligns with the DoD’s requirement to research and leverage AI.

Product Comparison Matrix:

Technology Fidelity Tech used Meets compatibility?

Opti Track (Sole Source requested) ~2cm Camera Yes

FIND

(https://www.internalpositioning.com/)

<10sqft Bluetooth/WiFi No (Bluetooth and smartphone sensors required-not an all in one system)

NEXTOME

(https://www.nextome.net/)

1.5m Bluetooth/WiFi No (Bluetooth and smartphone sensors required-not an all in one system)

Estimote

(https://estimote.com/products/)

Not listed

Bluetooth/WiFi No (Bluetooth/LTE beacons required and software subscription needed, not platform agnostic)

RESELLERS:

There are no resellers. NaturalPoint is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the required IPS.

Requiring Department:

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

DeMedeiros, Kyle D Date

Computer Scientist, Code 8512

APPROVAL:

Contracting Officer:

Based on the above, I have determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Juli Chytka Date

Code 0222