Redacted JA_N6426723R0033.pdf

J&A Number: 50,372 Ser Code 02/0724

5. RATIONALE JUSTIFYING USE OF STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

The proposed procurement is a follow-on effort to Contract No.

N6426718C0007. Extensive market research was conducted for Contract No. N6426718C0007, which included consultation with over 100 companies through Requests for Information on SAM.gov. The government engaged with potential technology fulfillment companies, special labs, university labs, national labs, international labs, and specialty companies in magnetometry that make, sell, or are involved in developing magnetometers and magnetometry calibration at a National Laboratory standards level.

Due to the lack of responses from industry, Contract No. N6426718C0007 was solicited using full and open competition and SLMS submitted the only proposal received by the government. SLMS was deemed technically acceptable and successfully delivered acceptable supplies and services under Contract No. N6426718C0007. Utilizing any contractor other than SLMS would also create a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements.

The following estimate of the duplication of costs is based on the key aspects of the project, including the development and integration of the helium-3 sensor, the automation operation system, and the testing and benchmarking processes.

Helium-3 sensor development and integration: A new contractor would need to invest time and resources in understanding the existing sensor technology, analyzing the improvements required, and integrating the upgraded sensor into the MICS. This could result in additional costs and a schedule delay of 6-9 months.

Automation operation system: The development of a new automation operation system tailored to the MICS would involve software and hardware integration, which could lead to extra expenses and a schedule extension of 4-6 months.

Testing and benchmarking processes: Ensuring the new MICS prototype meets the Navy's requirements would require extensive testing and benchmarking. This could contribute to an additional cost and a schedule delay of 3-4 months.

In total the duplication of costs and schedule delay resulting from the selection of a new contractor are estimated at and a schedule extension of 13-19 months.

Without this effort the Navy will be unable to provide national traceability calibration to the fleet, DoD labs, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for DC magnetic related Calibrations

J&A Number: 50,372 Ser Code 02/0724

6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO SOLICIT OFFERS FROM AS MANY

OFFERORS AS PRACTICAL:

Per DFARS PGI 206.302-1(d), a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) was posted on SAM.gov requesting any interested Offeror’s to submit their company’s capability statements to meet the specifications listed in the Statement of Work (SOW). The posting was issued on 03/22/2023 and closed on 04/06/2023. Per FAR 6.302-1(d)(2), the pre-solicitation notice required by FAR 5.201 was posted on SAM.Gov from 04/17/23 to 05/02/23. No responses were received as a result of either notice.

No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5 above, for any company other than SLMS to provide the required supplies and services.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COSTS:

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the supplies and services covered by the J&A will be fair and reasonable. Similar quantities of this requirement have been purchased from this Offeror in the past and cost/pricing information was received on those past procurements. This information should be sufficient to support the fair and reasonable cost determination of this procurement.

8. ACTION TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO FUTURE COMPETITION:

For the reason set forth in paragraph 5 above, NSWC Corona has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the type of supplies covered by this document. The Government will continue to monitor the market place to see if any other companies can offer parts and services that will meet the Government’s minimum needs, or can be modified to meet requirements. If another potential source emerges, NSWC Corona will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.