Redacted DnF for OTFOC.pdf

Template last updated 4/23/2018

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: One (1) Markforged brand Mark II Desktop 3

Dimensional (3D) Printer.

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Manufacturer:

Markforged, Inc.

480 Pleasant Street, Suite C10 Watertown, MA, 02135 Cage Code: 72VZ3 Small Business Business Size: Small Business

Authorized Reseller:

Phillips Federal Division 7390 Coca Cola Drive, Suite 200 Hanover, MD, 21046 Cage Code: 3MPQ0 Business Size: Small Business

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:

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

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) [REDACTED] requires the purchase of one (1) Markforged brand Mark II Desktop 3 Dimensional (3D) Printer. [REDACTED] requires a 3D printer to fulfill a critical role in research and development projects that require precisely machined aluminum or steel parts.

The Markforged Mark II 3D Printer is the only printer that meets the requirements to produce the required parts using continuous fiber filament and will also fit on a laboratory desk. Continuous fiber filaments allow for less dense, or stronger, materials and end products. The Markforged Mark II 3D printer has the capability to print continuous fiber filaments that are not compatible with any other printer on the market. These materials are specifically: High-Strength High-Temp (HSHT) Fiberglass, Kevlar®, Carbon Fiber, and Onyx. The required Mark II 3D printer has the ability to print exotic materials and allow [REDACTED] to rapidly prototype designs.

[REDACTED]. The acquisition of the Markforged 3D Mark II printer will allow [REDACTED] to replace existing steel and aluminum parts with replacement parts machined using lighter materials without losing quality or strength. [REDACTED].

The manufacturer Stratasys was considered as an option as they offer a 3D printer utilizing exotic filaments. Unfortunately, Stratasys printers cannot print the continuous fiber filaments specifically, which is what gives the finished part its strength. It was also discovered that all of the Stratasys’ printers with this capability are larger than the lab desk where the machine will operate. Markforged is the sole manufacturer of HSHT Fiberglass, Kevlar®, Carbon Fiber, and Onyx continuous fiber filaments. The Markforged 3D Mark II printer is the only desktop sized printer than can utilize the aforementioned continuous fiber filaments.

Without acquiring the Markforged Mark II 3D printer, various projects within [REDACTED] would be extended, costing time for machinists and creating delays in mission deliverables. The parts being machined are so complex in nature that in order to machine them under current conditions requires multiple days for setup and machining time. The Mark II printer, however, will print any part that can fit on the print bed while limiting interference for step by step setup. Another cause of delay under current conditions occurs when projects require 10 or more copies of the same part. The Mark II can print continuously non-stop with multiple parts in the same print job, eliminating the need for human interaction, which creates the backlog. Without this purchase the Government will lose in-house capabilities to further mission deliverables which will result in long term costs and considerable productivity loss.

Market research determined that it is in the Government’s best interest to pursue a brand name sole source to acquire the Markforged brand Mark II 3D printer. There is at least one (1) known authorized reseller of this product.

___ 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:

___ 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.

X

Contracting Officer (KO)