JOFOC_FOR_CSS.docx

Brand Name Justification

NB672020-15-03205

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Dept. of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology Acquisition Management Division 325 Broadway, Div 164, Bldg 111, M.S. 194 Boulder, CO 80305

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

Request for approval to move forward with this procurement as a Brand Name Only. This justification is modified to reflect an acquisition under the authority of the test program for commercial items at 41 U.S.C. 1901.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

The Communications Technology Laboratory is in the process of expanding its research efforts related to spectrum sharing and software defined radios. This research spans a broad area covering topics associated with distributed spectrum sensing, signal propagation, interference between devices, and evaluating a device’s ability to share spectrum. As we explore each of these topics, it is crucial that we have the ability to emulate a wireless channel; similar to those experienced by communication signals in the real-world. Additionally, the hardware and software used for our experiments should be general in nature, that is, reconfigurable to perform a variety of tasks. In the context of a channel emulator, having a set of hardware that can be reconfigured to test a variety of channel scenarios (MIMO, dynamic fading, etc.) will enable us to develop and test the next generation of channel models and metrics. To facilitate real-time, radiated testing a channel emulator needs to be able to digitize a radiated signal, digitally pass it through a simulated channel, and then re-radiate it.

The contractor shall provide one (1) Set of Wireless Channel Emulator Hardware.

Period of Performance: 50 days ARO.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

As this justification modified to reflect an acquisition under the authority of the test program for commercial items (FAR 13.5) the procedures prescribed at FAR 13.501 are followed which allow for sole source (including brand name) acquisition. This justification is prepared for the special documentation requirements for sole source (including brand name) acquisitions.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The hardware produced by National Instruments is the only manufacturer that gives the user access to the FPGA co-located with the RF hardware, allows for the streaming of data without passing through the embedded controller, and offers a dedicated FPGA (enabling digital signal processing) in the same hardware chassis. Each of these three things are requirements in our SOW and essential to our wireless communications research.

There are multiple resellers who are able to sell the necessary National Instruments hardware.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 5.2, and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

After looking at similar hardware from other manufacturers by contact or website (Keysight, Rohde and Schwarz, Spirent, etc.), it is determined that only National Instruments is the only hardware that give the user access to the FPGA.

The Contract Specialist posted a Sources Sought on fbo.gov on August 13, 2015, with response due on August 18, 2015. No reponses were received.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and the basis for that determination.

Competition among resellers is anticipated and in addition the Government will compare the cost against the Independent Government Cost Estimate and other related purchases.

8. A description of the market research conducted (FAR part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

NIST market search consisted of contacting equipment manufacturers that NIST has done business with before, attempting to locate vendors at an industry trade show, and searching for vendors on the internet. For internet searches, used Google with the following terms: “channel emulator,” “wireless channel emulator,” and “LTE channel emulator.” NIST also attempted to identify vendors at the IEEE 2015 Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility and Signal Integrity.

1). Manufacturer: Keysight. Comments: Keysight’s product is the N5106A. This is a channel emulator that provides many of the functions we need, however it is unable to digitize or re-radiated a RF signal without additional hardware. The N5106A also lacks the functionality we need in order to develop our own channel models and metrics. The amount of customization we need is not available on this product.

2). Manufacturer: Rohde & Schwarz. Comments: Rohde and Schwarz does not offer any channel emulator hardware as a stand-alone piece of equipment. They only offer channel emulation in conjunction with their signal generators, which don’t have the ability to digitize a radiated signal.

3). Manufacturer: Averna Comments: Averna has hardware that meets our needs, however, they only sell the hardware with their channel emulation software installed. Their software does not provide us with the flexibility we need in order to be able to develop our own channel models and metrics.

4). Manufacturer: National Instruments Comments: National Instruments is able to fulfill the SOW by providing hardware that meets our needs. They are able to provide the hardware with no software giving us the ability to develop our own.

5). Vendor: Ideal System Solutions, Inc. Comments: As a reseller of National Instruments’ hardware, they are able to fulfill the SOW by providing hardware that meets our needs. They are able to provide the hardware with no software giving us the ability to develop our own.

6). Vendor: GSAmart/Test Mart Comments: As a reseller of National Instruments’ hardware, they are able to fulfill the SOW by providing hardware that meets our needs. They are able to provide the hardware with no software giving us the ability to develop our own. This vendor also has a GSA schedule for some of the system components.

7). Manufacturer: Azimuth Systems Comments: This manufacturer’s channel emulator hardware does not have the required amount of instantaneous bandwidth (50 MHz vs. 200 MHz). This vendor’s hardware is coupled with their software enabling quick measurements of typical channels, but does not allow for us to develop and implement our own channel models. This hardware only covers a subset of the frequency range we need.

8). Manufacturer: Spirent Comments: This manufacturer’s channel emulator hardware does not have the required amount of instantaneous bandwidth (26 MHz vs. 200 MHz). This hardware only covers a small subset of the frequency range we need.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition (FAR 6.302(a) (9)).

NIST has deliverables due late FY15 that require the use of this equipment. Our inability to provide the data will delay multiple scientific efforts similiarly based.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No other vendors capable of fulfilling this requirement has expressed an interest in this acquisition at this time.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the same supplies or services.

NIST continues to use solicitation methods to promote commercial firms for the development of new technologies. NIST attempts to increase the competition base for its unique requirements throught the use of market research and public announcements. As requirements continue, NIST will continue to research for GSA vendors as well as open market vendors that can fill the agency’s needs.