SAP CI Sole Source JustificationRedacted1.pdf

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Document Number: F25-247

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

The requiring activity is the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center Norfolk’s (NAVLANTMETOCCEN’s) Naval Ice Center, part of the U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC), Suitland Federal Complex, Suitland, MD; the contracting activity is the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, Contracting Department.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This requirement will be awarded on a sole source basis as a firm fixed-price contract to Sofar Ocean Technologies, Inc.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The requirement is for six (6) air deployable Spotter buoys with Iridium telemetry and ten (10) air deployable Spotter buoys with Hydrophone and six (6) surface deployable buoys. The buoys must meet the following characteristics:

1) The buoy shall have a ruggedized design engineered to operate continuously in harsh marine conditions from polar ice to extreme temperatures.

2) This buoy shall have sensors to measure real-time wave spectra data collection with derived wind speed and direction measurements, sea surface temperature monitoring, and atmospheric pressure data recording.

3) Data from the buoy shall be transmitted via GPS positioning with satellite telemetry and real-time position reporting via multiple satellite systems.

4) The buoy shall have solar rechargeable lithium-ion battery system and autonomous operation capability designed for extended deployments.

5) The system shall provide advanced remote configuration and control capabilities through the proprietary Spotter Dashboard and direct control via binary/ASCII command protocols.

6) Deployment requirements:

a. Units shall be rapidly deployable

b. Construction must ensure survival through multiple freeze/thaw cycles

7) The buoys must be packaged in crates specifically designed and constructed to withstand multiple transports without damage to the contents, and the vendor will be held responsible for any damage to the buoys resulting from crate failure.

Example: The resultant contract will be funded with FY25 Navy Operations & Maintenance (O&MN) appropriations. These funds are currently available.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Sole Source.

The statutory authority permitting this sole source action is 41 U.S.C. 1901, Simplified acquisition procedures - a sole source acquisition using simplified acquisition procedures for the acquisition of commercial items, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Sofar’s buoys are specifically developed to focus on measuring waves, ocean/ice circulation, and surface meteorology, which is a key component in the Statement of Work. Additionally, Sofar's Spotter Buoy represents a uniquely integrated metocean monitoring system engineered for Arctic operations. Further, the Spotter platform's integration with Sofar's proprietary Hydrophone system creates a unique real-time intelligent acoustic monitoring capability. Technical POCs noted in the capability statement review, that the company produces high-quality wave buoys which are directly applicable to the requirement. Also, their buoys store solar energy via solar panels to extend operational life, which is essential in polar regions where sunlight is limited during the cold seasons.

The below paragraphs further detail the specifics of the Spotter Buoy Platform and the Spotter Buoy Hydrophone system.

Spotter Buoy Platform:

Sofar Ocean Technologies' Spotter Buoy’s represent a uniquely integrated metocean monitoring engineered for Arctic operations, where extreme environmental conditions and limited deployment opportunities demand specialized capabilities. The system's ruggedized design is engineered to operate continuously in harsh marine conditions from polar ice to extreme temperatures, making it uniquely qualified for Arctic Basin deployments where traditional monitoring equipment fails. The platform's compact form factor (42cm width, 31cm height, 7.45kg weight) enables rapid deployment during the brief Arctic deployment windows, while its construction ensures survival through multiple freeze/thaw cycles that destroy conventional oceanographic instruments. The platform features advanced remote configuration and control capabilities through the proprietary Spotter Dashboard, binary/ASCII command protocols, and direct Sofar remote support, providing operational flexibility unavailable from competing systems.

Spotter Buoy with Hydrophone Integration:

The Spotter platform's integration with Sofar's proprietary Hydrophone system creates a unique real-time intelligent acoustic monitoring capability that establishes it as the sole source for comprehensive underwater sound data collection and analysis. This integrated system combines advanced acoustics technology with edge data processing to enable real-time noise detection and analysis while reducing operational cost and complexity for broader coverage and extended deployments. The hydrophone features sophisticated acoustic measurement capabilities including Sound Pressure Level (SPL) analysis with timestamped acoustic events based on configurable thresholds, and Sound Exposure Level (SEL) for cumulative sound energy measurements, which offer unique real-time acoustic monitoring essential for Arctic operations. The system utilizes a specialized quiet swivel design with noise suppression chain and protective cover, powered by the Spotter's lithium-ion battery with solar recharging capability. This acoustic monitoring integration enables critical applications including continuous or event-triggered data collection, and defense and security applications for vessel detection and maritime situational awareness enhancement. The combination of metocean sensing with intelligent acoustic monitoring in a single, turnkey platform represents capabilities that cannot be sourced from alternative vendors.

Based on the market research identified within this document, Sofar is the only source capable of providing the highly specialized buoys as required.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable, including a Description of Market Research, if applicable, and a List of Interested Sources, if any.

Market research was conducted to investigate the recommended sole source vendor, small business opportunities, any previous procurement history, and other potential providers of the required supply. Market research determined that the proposed acquisition is a commercial supply best suited to a single order and could be fulfilled by a small business. The following Buoy manufacturers were identified as potential vendors that could provide the buoys that are required.

A combination of copies of prior contracts, vendor websites, and capability statements were sent to the requiring activity in order to ascertain the potential source’s ability to supply buoys with the unique specifications of this requirement. The collection of market research documents were reviewed by the requiring activity to determine if a source was capable on a capable/not capable rating basis. The Contracting Officer reviewed the responses and concurred with their ratings.

Sofar Ocean Technologies, Inc.’s buoys are extremely unique and must meet specifications that have been proven to maintain functionality continuously through harsh marine conditions, from polar ice to extreme temperatures, making it uniquely qualified for Artic Basin deployments where they will operate. Based on the table above, only one vendor was found to be capable of meeting the minimum specifications for this requirement. Data obtained through market research determined that the supplies outlined in the proposed acquisition are only available through Sofar Ocean Technologies, Inc.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

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

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAVSUP FLC Norfolk has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAVSUP FLC Norfolk will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

9. Contracting Point of Contact. The point of contact at NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Contracting Department is Courtney Dunlow Ange, Code 213.1, who may be contacted at +1 771-229-3535 or by email at – courtney.p.dunlow.civ@us.navy.mil.

Document Number: F25-247

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

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

Technical Cognizance:

Requirements Cognizance:

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the Justification value is >$250K and <$750K, the Contracting Officer’s signature below also represents approval of the document.