TMX 7510 SoleSourceSAM.pdf

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A) FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 41 U.S.C. 3304(A)(1)

Requisition Number: SHOP-PR-24-000151

Date: 6 December 2023

Estimated Contract Dollar Value:

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Procurement Section (PS), National Acquisition Programs Unit (NAPU) has prepared this justification for other than full and open competition for one (1) Phantom TMX 7510 High Speed Camera on behalf of the Laboratory Division (LD), Terrorist Explosive Devices Analytical Center (TEDAC) Section, TEDAC Improvised Explosives Detection and Synthesis (TIEDS) Unit.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved, i.e., sole source, limited competition, establishment of a new source, etc.

This is a sole-source, one-time, firm-fixed-price contract that will be awarded to Vision Research, Inc., (CAGE Code 09PN9), 100 Dey Road, Wayne, New Jersey, 07470 to acquire:

one (1) Phantom TMX 7510 high-speed camera color, (with F-Mount lens connection, 512GB memory, and cinema compatibility); one (1) FAST Option which reduces the camera exposure time from 1us to 95ns; a one-year extended warranty; and shipping charges to the Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The LD’s mission is to apply scientific capabilities and technical services to the collection, processing, and exploitation of evidence for the FBI and other duly constituted law enforcement and intelligence agencies in support of investigative and intelligence priorities.

The TIEDS Unit requires the ability to capture ultra-high-speed videography of explosive events to support the Unit mission of researching the behaviors of improvised explosives.

Currently, TIEDS utilizes the Phantom V2512, the Phantom TMX 7510, and the Phantom Miro

R311 cameras in support of this mission. [The FBI purchased one (1) Phantom TMX 7510 system from Vision Research, Inc. via Contract Number 15F06723P0001364 on April 21st, 2023.] Adding a second Phantom TMX 7510 system would further enhance TIEDS’ videography capabilities while maintaining cohesiveness with existing instrumentation and infrastructure. These camera systems will allow TIEDS to further its mission of researching improvised explosives and will be utilized for up to ten (10) years.

High speed cameras are required in explosive research because they are the only method for observing explosive events that occur in microseconds. The naked eye, and most other visual observation methods, are unable to directly view explosions, primary and secondary fragment travel, shock wave propagation, or the travel of a detonation front along a cylindrical charge length. The ability to capture these events at tens to thousands of frames per second provide a permanent record that provides primary observation of explosive effects that are usually viewed after an explosion, such as the jet formation, travel, and target penetration of shape charges.

These observations require frame rates greater than 200,000 frames per second. The video graphic record also provides supplemental detail to blast characteristics traditionally measured by another methods. For example, the time required for a detonation front and light to travel down the known length of a vertical charge can be used to calculate the velocity of the reaction front which can be used to supplement the velocity measured using piezoelectric pins and oscilloscope methods. Observing reaction front travel requires frame rates of at least 100,000 frames per second.

Traditionally, increases in frame rates require significant drops in image resolution due to restrictions in equipment memory and processing. This requires scientists to balance the need for high frame rates and usable frame resolutions with available record time which sometimes results in loss of crucial details that may be just out of frame or just after the recording ceases.

Precision timing can mitigate some of this risk, however, missing necessary information can require test duplication. Duplication is not always possible in explosive testing, especially with improvised explosives. More capable equipment is a necessity in these situations. As a result, TIEDS’ defined the following requirements for a new high-speed camera:

1. Camera shall be capable of 75,000 frames per second at the camera’s maximum resolution.

2. Camera shall be capable of 700,000 frames per second while maintaining maximum horizontal resolution.

3. Camera shall be capable of reaching frame rates of at least 1,500,000 frames per second.

4. Camera shall be capable of reaching minimum exposure times less than 100 nanoseconds.

5. Camera shall be equipped with at least 450 GB of non-removable, volatile, internal memory.

6. Camera shall allow manually adjustable resolution and image geometry and frame rate.

7. Camera must be available in color.

8. Camera shall incorporate an “internal” shutter for remote or auto black balance of the video.

9. Camera shall incorporate 1 Gb and 10 Gb Ethernet technology for data transfer.

10. Camera shall be compatible with TTL trigger pulses.

11. Camera shall be capable of merging data acquisition sensor data with high-speed camera video off one master clock.

Vision Research’s Phantom TMX 7510 met these requirements. The TMX 7510 meets requirements 6-11 and surpasses requirements 1-5. At maximum resolution, the TMX 7510 can achieve 76,000 frames per second. Maximum frame with full horizontal resolution is 772,050 frames per second, though rates of 1,750,000 frames per second can be achieved with the addition of a FAST option. The TMX 7510 also incorporates a back side illuminated (BSI) sensor that permits higher frame rates due to changing the physical structure of the sensor and allowing more light through. The TMX 7510 can be equipped with 512 GB.

The Phantom TMX 7510 high-speed camera’s capabilities are critical to accomplishing the mission of rapid response to emerging novel threats and documenting their characterization and/or performance.

This additional high-speed camera system will eliminate a potential single point for failure that exist with the current set of cameras, and more importantly, enables TIEDS to network and integrate the cameras on our demo range, with the potential to create a virtual 3D environment, providing a state-of-the-art video capture capability for explosive characterization activities.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

For purposes of this acquisition, the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is delineated at 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a) (1) and implemented at FAR Part 6.302-1, “only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

5. Demonstrate the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

Vision Research Inc. is uniquely qualified to provide equipment capable of meeting TIEDS’ requirements based upon the following:

They have developed a back side illuminated (BSI) sensor designed to allow more light to directly interact with the photodiodes of the sensor. High frame rates require reduced exposure times which traditionally result in dark images because it reduces the light that can reach the imaging sensors. Traditional sensors also place the electronic circuitry between the light source and the photodiodes. The physical design of the BSI sensor removes the circuitry from that location and allows for more light to reach the sensors which makes it possible to have exposure times in the nanoseconds, and therefore frame rates above one million frames per second. The design also allows for smaller pixel sizes which improves sampling frequency.

The BSI sensor is only available in the Phantom TMX camera series, making it the only product capable of providing this resource.

The TMX 7510 also can apply a binning mode during recording that provides double vertical resolution at high frame rates. This allows scientists to have more control over the resolution of the frame without compromising frame rate. The FAST Option further increases the frame rate capabilities while maintaining image resolution.

The TMX 7510 allows a maximum frame rate of 76,000 frames per second at full resolution, which is nearly a three times improvement over TIEDS current technology. Additionally, TIEDS has been using a TMX 7510 since Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, which makes the TMX 7510 already supported by TIEDS’ range infrastructure and is directly compatible with existing camera capabilities.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

The FBI will publicize the notice of intent to award a sole-source contract on the SAM.gov website. This announcement will give an opportunity for other vendors to demonstrate their ability to meet the FBI’s specific needs through a submission of technical capabilities and cost information.

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Before awarding a contract, the Contracting Officer will perform a determination of price reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results.

Market research was done with phone solicitations, internet searches, and meetings with knowledgeable individuals in the related industry. Technical data sheets, specifications, phone calls with representatives, and equipment demonstrations of alternative options were utilized.

The Phantom TMX 7510 was the only available option that met all of TIEDS’ requirements identified in section 4.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

See section 5 above.

10. A listing of any sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

A synopsis will be posted on the SAM.gov website. This synopsis will give an opportunity for other vendors to demonstrate their ability to meet the FBI’s specific needs through a submission of technical capabilities and cost information.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%205_2.html#wp1107980 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%205_2.html#wp1107990

11. A statement of any actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

The FBI will continue to conduct market surveys and research available through industry shows and technology releases in the form of papers and journals on subsequent acquisitions.

Reviews and Approvals (Not exceeding $750,000.00)

Requestor:

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.

Date Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Management and Program Analyst TEDAC Section Redstone Arsenal, Alabama

Contracting Officer:

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

Bryan Lane Date bvlane@fbi.gov National Acquisition Programs Unit Quantico, Virginia mailto:bvlane@fbi.gov