J and A.pdf

V3.1_JULY2020

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

N A V A L U N D E R S E A W A R F A R E C E N T E R D I V I S I O N

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I N R E P L Y R E F E R T O :

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center

Division, Code 02, Newport, RI.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Request approval to purchase HyperWorks/SEAM acoustic modeling software and software support from Altair

Engineering, Inc. (Altair) on a sole source basis. This requirement is for acoustic modeling software and software support from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), in support of Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport

(NUWCDIVNPT) acoustic modeling efforts

3. Description of Supplies/Services

Estimated Dollar Value

The total estimated value of this requirement is and will be funded with RDT&E funds . The anticipated period of performance is August 2024 through

September 2029.

The Government requires Altair HyperWorks/SEAM acoustic modeling software to run legacy acoustic models, and to develop new acoustic models

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

In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented in Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii): Only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

Altair Engineering, Inc. is the sole owner and developer of this proprietary software (HyperWorks/SEAM) including maintenance and support. All acoustic models were developed in the 1990’s and 2000’s utilizing the SEAM modeling software, which was original licensed by Cambridge

Collaborative. As such, these models will only run on the

SEAM compiler. The current version of HyperWorks/SEAM

(Version 2023) was proven to satisfactorily run acoustic models in FY23/FY24 via use of a trial license.

Products alternatives such as ESI VA One will not compile these legacy models. Recreating all of these models in a different application would take considerable resources. As these models were developed over decades, creating new models in a different solver and validating them with historical results would be a task spanning multiple fiscal years.

Additionally, it is unknown if product alternatives such as

ESI VA One would effectively model the acoustic characteristics

. Many attributes were incorporated into the SEAM software in the 1990’s and 2000’s

As such, SEAM software (and specifically HyperWorks/SEAM software) is proven to satisfactorily assess acoustic performance, and is expected to continue to accurately access potential new acoustic performance

Therefore, even if new acoustic models were created and a different software were developed, there is risk that these models would not adequately capture the acoustic behavior of , which could significantly affect the ability of the Navy to assess designs.

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

Offerors as Practicable

No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5 above, for any company other than Altair to fulfill this requirement. As Altair is the sole owner of this proprietary software, HyperWorks/SEAM software is only available for purchase directly from Altair.

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 Approving Official.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The contracting officer will conduct price and/or cost analysis using FAR Parts 13.106-3 and/or 15.404-1(b) and

15.404-1(c) methods, in accordance with FAR 13.003(g)(2) to determine the prices fair and reasonable prior to contract award.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

The Government’s requirement for Altair HyperWorks/SEAM acoustic modeling software does not allow for substitution of another vendor’s products or services. In the event that any future acquisition of these services is required, the information contained in Section 5 will be revisited and validated to confirm the sole source requirement still exists. Consideration will be given to moving this requirement to full and open competition in the future, if feasible.