Saildrone Justification and Approval.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH

875 NORTH RANDOLPH STREET

SUITE 1425

ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1995 IN REPLY REFER TO:

JUSTIFICATION UNDER FAR 13.5 FOR USE OF OTHER

THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Headquarters, Office of Naval Research (ONR), Arlington, Virginia.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

Award of a contract on an unsual and compelling basis to Saildrone, Inc., for surface and subsurface ocean data gathering services in support of a Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet requirement.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

Services of a fleet of five unmanned surface vessels to simultaneously supply near-real-time reports of in situ meteorological, oceanographic and visual imagery data to a web-based command and control center for a period of up to 14 days during the Trident Warrior 2020 (TW20) exercise in the coastal ocean around San Diego, CA. The period of performance is from 3 August to 31 October 2020, with an anticipated exercise start date of 17 August. The performance period includes pre and post-exercise transit times and preparation of deliverables.

Deliverables will be data reports and metadata, with a final report describing the unmanned vehicle operations during the exercise, lessons learned, and quality controlled final dataset to be provided within 30 days of the conclusion of the TW20 exercise. The estimated dollar value is $500,000 (FY 2020 funds).

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

41 U.S.C. § 1901, as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a).

Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. § 1901, the procedures reflected in FAR Subpart 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items will be used for this procurement. As Subpart 13.5 requires, the Contracting Officer will make this justification publicly available within 30 days after contract award.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

To perform its operational mission, the Navy requires near-real-time measurements of meteorological and oceanographic parameters, as well as fused surface vessel imagery (including Automatic Identification System location data). The Navy constantly seeks innovative methods for obtaining such data, preferably those tested in a real-world operational environment. Given the international geo-political situation and the pace of technological development, the Navy must move quickly in exploring and exploiting new technologies to maintain naval superiority.

In June 2020, the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Aquilino, pursuit to direction from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development & Acquisition, contacted the Director of ONR’s Ocean Battlespace and Expeditionary Access Department (Code 32) with an urgent requirement to obtain the services of Saildrone, Inc. (Saildrone) for TW20, scheduled for August and September 2020. Trident Warrior is 3rd Fleet’s largest maritime exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is an annual, in-water experiment planned to include multinational anti-submarine warfare, maritime intercept operations, and live-fire training events, among other activities. Owing to its size and the Naval assets involved, TW20 offers a unique operational testing environment. Navy leadership has directed a study of the naval potentialities and limitations of obtaining its required meteorological, oceanographic, and ship data using slow-moving surface vessels powered by the wind in a coastal ocean setting.

The data will be provided via a web interface allowing researchers command and control of multiple unmanned platforms.

Saildrone is the only entity positioned to provide the required services to meet the TW 20 schedule. Saildrone is a fully operational, full-service ocean and atmospheric data service provider operating unmanned, autonomous maritime surface vehicles (USVs). The USVs, which are powered by wind propulsion and solar energy for the requisite onboard electronics, have an integrated suite of environmental sensors for the specific purpose of collecting high-resolution atmospheric, surface and subsurface ocean data. Saildrone has experience deploying multiple USVs in a collection group to provide in situ maritime domain awareness combined with atmospheric, surface and subsurface ocean data collection.

TW20 presents the optimal opportunity to determine the efficacy of the requested assets for future naval utility. If the ONR is unable to make an award to Saildrone in time for TW20, the Navy will lose the opportunity to test a future technology within the context of one of the world’s largest naval exercises. The next exercise is at least a year away, with COVID-19 inserting unknown uncertainty into all future exercises. To maintain its operational edge, the Navy must exploit technologies as those technologies present themselves.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

Owing to the urgency associated with taking advantage of the TW20 opportunity, no notice of the proposed action was required or made. See FAR 5.502(a)(2). Market research was limited to ONR Code 32’s awareness of the state of wind-powered USV technology. ONR conducted no additional market research. The purpose of this award is to test the wind-powered USV technology concept using an existing, proven system supported by an established infrastructure.

Although there are other entities that possesses wind and solar powered USVs, Saildrone is in a superior position to meet the TW20 schedule and testing requirements. If this test demonstrates wind-powered USV technology may be suitable for meeting the Navy’s operational needs, it is anticipated the Navy will seek further research into the technology. If so, it is expected that all entities having or developing such technology will be invited to submit research proposals for further testing and evaluation.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the services covered by this justification will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

As discussed in paragraph 6, if the test described in paragraph 5 demonstrates wind-powered USV technology may be suitable for meeting the Navy’s operational needs, it is expected that all relevant entities will be invited to submit research proposals for further testing and evaluation.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical/Requirements Cognizance:

_____________________ Thomas G. Drake (703) 696-1206 see digital signature Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this justification is legally sufficient.

_____________________ Robert M. Elwell (703) 696-9313 see digital signature

CONTRACTING OFFICER APPROVAL

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as the Contracting Officer, the proposed contract action described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. § 1901, as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a).

_____________________ Sean M. Palmer (703) 696-0942 see digital signature