Redacted-FY21-22388-Sole Source Justification-Less Than 250K_20210812.pdf

Sole Source Justification under $250K

PMD Number: FY21-22388

Department: Air Dominance

Company Name/Brand: Warren-Knight Instrument Company

Description of Product, Supplies or Services required to meet the agency’s needs:

Multi-sensor shipboard leveling system that includes multiple, interchangeable, high-resolution inclination measuring sensors with 2 degrees or more of measuring range; power/data cables and reels;

and digital, continuous output with data filtration system single and differential channels for sensor readings.

Identification of Justification Rational:

X The Material or service must be compatible will aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed.

☐ A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

☐ These are “direct replacement(s)” parts/components for existing equipment.

☐ Urgency.

Identification of the Justification Rationale Explained: **If using form, fit, and function, describe the current equipment and how the new item/service must coordinate or interface. **If using patent, copyright, proprietary data, describe the proprietary data. **If using direct replacement, describe this below.

The material must be compatible will aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed. We currently use the Analog Inclination Data System (AIDS), a shipboard leveling system designed by NSWC PHD in the 1970s, for combat system alignment (CSA) work. The system uses mostly commercial off the shelf (COTS) parts in a highly specialized configuration. However, we have had issues with slow and bad data causing long data validation and slowing down the data acquisition process. Therefore, we require a new and modern multi-sensor shipboard leveling system with very similar configuration and design to the AIDS to incorporate smoothly with all our standard operation procedures (SOP) and other equipment including theodolites, total stations, laser trackers, and alignment fixtures that NSWC PHD and the various waterfront activities and regional maintenance centers (RMCs) globally utilize. Using a new and modern multi-sensor shipboard leveling system with a different configuration and design than the AIDS would require modification to many documents and re-fabrication of many tools we currently use.

NSWC PHD has invested several years into researching, testing, and evaluating various candidates that could provide a multi-sensor shipboard leveling system that meets our requirements including General

Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) and Electronic Measurement Systems (EMS) LTD. After the extensive research, testing, and evaluation, Warren-Knight Instrument Company is the only candidate with a multi-sensor shipboard leveling system that meets our requirements.

Specific Characteristics of the Item or Service required that Limit the Availability to a Sole Source or

Brand Name: **This is the most important section. Explain in detail why this company or brand are the only ones that can meet the requirement.

Based on extensive research, testing, and evaluation, Warren-Knight Instrument Company is the only source that can meet requirements. The specific requirements for this system is to have multiple digital inclination sensors with two (2) degrees of greater range with high accuracy, precision, and data resolution. All inclination sensors must be interchangeable with a robust power and data delivery system with ingress protection. Data is to be delivered to single data output source for simultaneous differential readings using software that is pre-approved in DADMS, WylerDynam. The sensors and system must be able to be calibrated quickly by users in the field or more in-depth by manufacturer or Navy calibration labs using simple procedures. The system must allow for multiple means of data acquisition with the addition of a handheld digital meter. Most importantly, the system must be available and manufactured by an American company with an established history of delivering durable, precision metrology equipment to the US Navy. Warren-Knight Instrument Company’s system underwent hands-on testing and meets the operational requirements described above. Further, Warren-Knight Instrument Company regularly rents and sells their equipment to other DOD organizations requiring precision measuring and alignment equipment including US Army, Air Force, US Coast Guard, and NAVSEA organizations such as Norfolk

Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and Pearl Harbor

Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Finally, these are highly specialized systems and finding another company to manufacture a similar product introduces huge risks to schedule and function.

After years of research, we have found no other shipboard leveling system that met our requirements while maintaining a similar configuration and design to AIDS. A similar design means there will be no need for modification of many of our procedures or re-fabrication of the tools we currently use.

Warren-Knight Instrument Company stated that they do not sell equipment through third party vendors.

Market Research Conducted:

Market research included having NSWC PHD Air Dominance personnel attempt to manufacturer a modern system that met all our requirements. This was funded as a NISE project, but due to lack of technical expertise of software engineers at NSWC PHD, the project was ultimately unsuccessful.

More market research was conducted with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). GDIT demonstrated their Advance Navy Alignment System (ANAS) to us. After some testing, the system was promising. However, GDIT pulled out of the project because they deemed it no longer profitable due to high specialization, limited market, and expected very low sale volume.

More market research was conducted with Electronic Measurement Systems LTD (EMS). EMS demonstrated their Computerized Electronic Tilt Angle Measuring System (CETAMS). However, after multiple shipboard testing, their test results were inconclusive/unusable. Their system was also significantly more complex than any other system requiring users to do some programming to set up all equipment. Users generally have no programming experience.

More market research was conducted with Wyler AG. They had no system to demonstrate but they do manufacture many of the core components. Due to not have a specific product for sale that met our needs, Wyler AG would need a service contract to produce an entire new product which would require research, development, test, and evaluation that would likely come at a significantly higher costs.

Market research done for Warren-Knight Instrument Company (WKIC) included borrowing and testing an older version of this product from NAVSEA’s Ship Repair Facility and Japanese Regional

Maintenance Center. We also rented a limited version of this system from WKIC for testing at no charge.

After testing, it was determined that the WKIC system met all of our requirements.

Statement of Actions, if any to Remove Barriers to Competition in the Future:

NSWC PHD Contracts Office will continue to conduct market research as warranted to provide a broader vendor base as applicable for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NSWC PHD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

Any Other Facts Supporting Justification:

Technical Requirement Certification:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

Digitally signed by

Date: 2021.08.10 16:19:04 -07'00'

Electronics Engineer, A73, 8/10/2021

Technical/Requirements Cognizance Signature

Signature Print Name, Title and Code Phone No. Date

Contracting Officer:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Signature:

Digitally signed by

Date: 2021.08.12 10:58:19 -07'00'

, Contracting Officer, Code 0271, , 8/10/2021