Redacted DnF for OTFOC.pdf

Template last updated 4/23/2018

BRAND NAME

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: The Government requires software defined radios in the parts and quantities included within the table below:

Description Part Number Quantity

USRP N321 (2 TX/RX Channels, 200 MHz BW, w/ LO Distribution 786504-01 1

USRP N320 (2 TX/RX Channels, 200 MHz BW) 786503-01 1

CDA-2990 8 Channel Clock Distribution Module w/

GPSDO 784306-01 1

UBX-160 USRP Daughterboard (10 MHz – 6 GHz, 160 MHz BW) 783775-01 2

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

National Instruments (NI)

11500 N MO PAC EXPY

Austin, TX, 78759 3563

CAGE: 64667

Large Business

Resellers:

[redacted]

[redacted]

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: [redacted]

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION: The statutory authority permitting sole source is 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i):

_X_ Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

___ Unusual and Compelling Urgency ___ Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert

Services

___ International Agreement ___ Authorized or Required by Statute ___ National Security ___ Public Interest

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The item(s) listed in section one above is available from only one source and competition is precluded for reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

___ Compatibility: The item(s) must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. Describe the equipment you have now and how the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system:

___ Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

___ Experimental Continuity: The item(s) must be consistent with prior materials in order to ensure experimental continuity. Describe the conditions that necessitate the use of experimental continuity:

This procurement is in support of the [redacted] the design of the analyzer system follows Ettus Research’s Multichannel RF Reference Architecture and the list of validated hardware to maximize compatibility confidence and minimize configuration efforts. This system that allows for synchronization between Receiving and Transmitting channels and easy transport of data from the software defined radio (SDR) to a central server. Ettus Research has published a list of validated hardware to maximize compatibility confidence and minimize configuration efforts for those who are building Multichannel RF Reference Architecture. The team has already started working on research efforts to develop methodologies for how they will use the system once it is assembled. The SDR platform that is currently in use within the lab is made by the same manufacturer, so the research team will have greater knowledge on how to use a similar platform. Switching to a different vendor would require the team to learn a new platform, which could easily take on the order of several weeks to months. Purchasing from the same manufacture leverages previously developed resources for operation. The manufacturers of the SDR platform provide their code (free and open source) for operating the system the teams plan to build following their architecture. Providing the code like this makes it ready to tailor to specific application without any additional or renewing software costs. Recreating this from scratch could easily take several months to a year

In-house software has already been developed for NI’s software defined radio (SDR) platforms, which lends strong reuse of prior developments instead of dedicating additional time/effort for changing platforms. There are known hardware compatibility issues which creates concern for matching the SDRs, the system controller, and the cable connecting between which have already been acquired. The research team identified a combination of products that increase our confidence in compatibility between the systems, and we have made steps to purchase the other products. Changing the SDRs with another vendor’s equivalent would run the risk of incompatibility with the controller and interconnects. This could take on the order of days to weeks to correctly troubleshoot, then find and purchase additional hardware to correct. In total, this could be a setback in both materials and weeks to months’ worth of time. As for an estimate of the delay and cost incurred by choosing another vendor duplication of effort [redacted] when considering the time and effort of more research with talking to different vendors and adding on research for lack of compatibility with controller and interconnects.

Increase of cost could be from [redacted] for more equipment that is not currently suitable for the technology the team is relying on.

___ Warranty: Purchasing item(s) from another manufacturer/provider would void existing warranty. Provide a brief explanation for the use of this reason and the impact that would occur if the item was purchased from another manufacturer/provider:

___ Direct Replacement: These are “direct replacement” parts/components for existing equipment and no substitutes exist.

___ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

6. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

8/27/2024

X Caleb Baisden

Contracting Officer (KO) Signed by: USA