Simplified Acquisition Sole Source Justification (FAR 13.5)-Redacted.pdf

Control No:

Contractor: Compass Technologies Group LLC.

Supply/Service: Free-space measurement system and add-ons

FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: The United States (U.S.) Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Adelphi Contracting Division (CCAP-MDI), 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, MD 20783-1138.

2. Description of Action: The Antennas and Radio Frequency (RF) Sensing branch at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) requests a Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract with Compass Technology Group LLC (CTG) located at 1005 Alderman Drive, Suite 203, Alpharetta, GA 30005 (CAGE Code: 6G0N3). CTG is a veteran-owned small business and women-owned small business.The Government projects award for September 2025 and fiscal year (FY) 2025-2026, and Army, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (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: The Antennas and Radio Frequency (RF) Sensing branch at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) requires one (1) Focused Beam Base System, one (1) software for Free Space and Waveguide measurements, one (1) software controls Free Space and Waveguide measurements, one (1) Turntable Upgrade, one (1) Backscatter Upgrade, one (1) Bistatic Cart, one (1) Table-Top Free-Space Measurement System, and Installation and Training manufactured and provided by Compass Technology Group.

The required system must have the following characteristics:

1. Focused Beam Base System:

o The frame with wheels and stabilized feet with mounting hardware and attachments o Two (2) focus lenses that can support up to 40 gigahertz (GHz) o Ultra-wideband antennas that can support from two (2) – 40 GHz o The holder for material under test that can support from two (2) – 40 GHz o Radio frequency Cables that can support from two (2) – 40 GHz

2. The software that can work with free-space measurement system. The software inverts the measured S11, S12, S21, and S22 data into complex permittivity, permeability, and sheet impedance.

3. The software that automates control of specimen turntable and beam scan tool

4. Backscatter Upgrade and bistatic cart upgrade that allow backscattering and bistatic measurement

5. Installation and Training (Two days on-site)

6. Table-Top Free-Space Measurement System

Supply/Service: Free-space measurement system and add-ons measurements and has a versatile sample holder to allow for multiple specimen types and sizes.

All comes in a case for easy storage and transportation Two 7” long wide band spot probes (2.5-20 GHz)

1 pair of SMA cables designed for use up to 26 GHz – 6’ Note: A network analyzer does not come with the system

Total

Delivery Date: 15 September 2025 Delivery Location: Adelphi, MD 20783 Total Value:

4. Authority Cited:

41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: In addition to the required system described in Section3, the Government requires software that can control the free-space measurement system rather than manually control the system in order to save time in performing measurements. The software must invert the measured S-Parameters, i.e. S11, S12, S21, and S22 data into complex permittivity, permeability, and sheet impedance. The software must also automate control of the specimen turntable and beam scan tool.

After performing extensive market research, Compass Technology Group LLC is the only company found to be able to provide a free-space measurement system that operates within the required frequency and is controlled through software. Although other companies provide free-space measurement systems, none of them meet the minimum requirements listed above.

Due to all of the aforementioned details and based upon the market research performed (see Section 8 below), Compass Technology Group LLC is the only source that can satisfy the Government’s minimum requirements for the proposed procurement.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Free–space measurement systems were also found from Microwave Measurement Systems (MMS) and EM-Labs, but they do not meet the aforementioned specifications making them incapable of meeting the Government’s minimum requirements (see Section 8 below). Only one source was found that is capable of meeting all of the Government’s minimum requirements and that is Compass Technologies Group LLC.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: ARL attempted to identify multiple sources for the technology being procured by consulting multiple companies to include Compass Technology Group, MMS Microwave Measurement Systems and EM-Labs. All indicated they offer free-space measurement systems, however only one source was identified at this time that is capable of meeting the required specifications for the needed free-space measurement system. Compass Tecnology Group LLC will likely be the only source that

Supply/Service: Free-space measurement system and add-ons can meet the Government’s minimum requirements for the foreseeable future, however the Government will continue to monitor the commercial marketplace for other free-space measurement systems that will meet the Government’s minimum technical requirements. ARL will continue to pursue web searches, consultations with knowledgeable Government and industry personnel, and attend trade shows or web-based communications to help locate alternative manufacturers that can provide the required free-space measurement system.

8. Market Research: Market research was conducted in 01 September 2024 through 01 December 2024 by the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), a Research Electrical Engineer. Avenues of research included conducting online search to identify potential vendors that are selling free-space measuring systems and contacting knowledgeable subject matter experts (SME’s) within the Government and industry for free-space measuring systems.

During Market Research, the Government identified three (3) vendors that provide free-space measurement systems. Market research quotes with technical specifications were requested and evaluated by the TPOC and ARL SME’s;

and it was determined that Microwave Measurement Systems and EM-Labs had some major deficiencies/limitations to their measurement systems as outlined below:

MMS Microwave Measurement Systems:

1. System operates at much higher frequency of 5.8 GHz

2. No option for the automated control of the turn table

3. Due to a lack of internal expertise, they must contract with external subcontractors to complete the task.

4. No demonstration system or reference that can be verified

EM-Labs

1. The system's operating frequency range of 18-330 GHz is excessively high

2. Foreign vendor

Due to these aforementioned limitations, neither MMS Microwave Measurement Systems nor EM-Labs are capable of meeting the Government’s minimum requirements.

In order to further conduct market research efforts, a Sources Sought was posted on SAM.gov on 12 March 2025. Posting was closed March 19 and the Government received two interested vendors: Begini Howard Private Equity (BHPE), and Technical Communities, Inc. This is not a solicitation posting and is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. Technical Communities, Inc is a reseller of free-space measurement solutions manufactured by Millimeter Wave Products, Inc (Mi- Wave). Mi-Wave provides spot focus antennas which is only fulfilling part of free-space system. BHPE has insufficient information to make determination for the requirement.

Due to these aforementioned limitations, neither Technical Communities, Inc nor BHPE are capable of meeting the Government’s minimum requirements.