Redacted J_A _Water Generator_.pdf

Control No: JA-22-Adel-183 Contractor: AWG Contracting

Supply:

FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR

OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Adelphi Contracting Division, Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1138.

2. Description of Action: The United States (U.S.) Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Computational & Information Sciences Directorate (CISD) requests a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract for . Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) Contracting is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the required products and has no resellers that can meet this requirement. The Government projects award for May 2022 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 RDT&E funds will be used.

_X_ An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement either does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i), or is an R&D acquisition and does not meet the definition of services in 10 U.S.C. 2330(c)(2).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: ARL CISD Special Project’s Branch requires the purchase of Atmospheric Water Generator as follows:

Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC)

Part # Description Quantity

Control No:

Supply: Atmospheric Water Generators

Overall, the AWG generators, in conjunction with the required components, provide real-time operational equipment and provide the Soldiers with the capability to rapidly respond, locally and internationally, regardless of their immediate surroundings or location in the world.

In order to maintain commonality and continuity with infrastructure to reduce logistical costs, AWG generators are currently being utilized by all of the ARL-supported units. It would be a monumental and costly effort to implement different systems from other manufacturers. Currently designed, the AWG fabricated and fielded system packages are all design around specific equipment solutions. To maintain standardization across all ARL-supported units, the proposed shall be the same as the existing Government-owned AWG products already in inventory among ARL-supported units.

ARL needs to be able to respond and communicate to its supported elements across the board using standards-based hardware systems to maintain consistency in coverage and continuity of operations.

Pursuing atmospheric water generator systems from another manufacturer would lead to compatibility issues with current AWG’s proprietary products, resulting in the entire existing inventory of water generators hardware compatibility issues. Attempting to switch water generator brands would also require new training along with disposing of the already invested atmospheric generator compatible equipment valued at more than $ . In addition, there would be unacceptable delays of up to 12 months due to the need to refit, replace, and revamp the corresponding equipment infrastructure, which could lead to national disaster breaches within multiple branches of the Department of Defense (DoD) and a loss of real-time operational mobility equipment.

Based upon the aforementioned, AWG is the only manufacturer that can provide the required atmospheric water generation mobilization equipment that meets the Governments requirements.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

An Intent to Sole Source Synopsis was posted on SAM.gov on 16 March 2022 that closed on 1 April 2022 was the only effort done to seek out interest from other competition. Currently, AWG Contracting was the only source that responded and was determined capable of meeting all of the Government’s minimum requirements. Due to AWG being the equipment manufacturer there are no subcontracting opportunities involved with this procurement.

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

ARL will continue to pursue web searches and hold discussions among the Government community to help locate other sources that can provide atmospheric water generators that will interface with the current Government-owned equipment and technology infrastructure that is compatible. However, until such an alternative source is identified, ARL will continue to use OEM products by AWG Contracting. If ARL discovers that another brand could operate with their current mobility hardware infrastructure, ARL will explore the possibility of future competition.

8. Market Research:

Market research was conducted from September 2021 to February 2022 by

, 20+ years as a Program Analyst, working with , Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager, CISD, 30 years of experience. Market research involved using web searches and contacting knowledgeable people or subject matter experts within Government and industry. Market research determined there is only one (1) company, AWG Contracting, that can provide the required that is potable, can be military transported with its unique 3-wheel design for harsh terrain environments, and is compatible with existing Government-owned AWG systems and components. There are other companies that can provide water generators or water filtrations that can be potable, but not using the atmosphere to produce the water, does not appear to be transportable while producing NSF 61 EPA certified water, and is not compatible with AWG proprietary systems.

9. Interested Sources:

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted to SAM.gov on 16 March 2022 and closed on 1 April 2022, notifying the commercial marketplace of the Government’s intent to solicit and negotiate with AWG Contracting. Consequently, to date, only AWG Contracting expressed interest in this acquisition, with no other sources expressing interest in this acquisition to challenge the Notice of Intent posting.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History

Contract: W911QX17P0333

Award Date: 27 Sept 2017 Delivery Date: 20 Dec 2017 Dollar Value: $ Competitive Status: 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside