Single Source Determination.pdf

Version 2.0 19Aug2020

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC).

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

The SEFSC requires several small hexacopters designed to search, detect and photograph marine megafauna. Two model APH-22 and a single model APH-28 will be acquired from Aerial Imaging Systems (AIS) upon completion of this PO with the option to increase quantity with further funding. These units need to be compatible with others being utilized across NOAA as well as being operational under pending restrictive legislation.

1. Aircraft must be seamlessly compatible with existing APH-22 and APH-28 accessories such as RC transmitters, ground stations, battery chargers and FindMe modules being utilized by partners across NOAA.

2. Aircraft must be able to recall prior land-based gyro calibration for flights conducted at sea on a moving platform.

3. Aircraft must be able to track location of the ground station and return to that position when "come home" is activated.

4. Aircraft must have six independent brushless motors for propulsion.

5. Aircraft must have an on board SD card flight recorder and must record all flight information, to a separate log file for each flight, at intervals not less than one second. Additionally, aircraft must record flight information relevant to photogrammetry to a separate, corresponding log file each time the camera is triggered.

6. The included hand-held RC transmitter must be able to display telemetry and warnings transmitted from the aircraft.

7. Aircraft must communicate video, telemetry, and system control status to the ground station. Ground station must support the use of an optional high definition (HD) video receiver to display HD video on both the ground station monitor and compatible 3rd party smart glasses worn by the pilot.

8. In addition to communicating telemetry and warnings to ground station, aircraft must separately communicate telemetry and warnings to the hand-held RC transmitter to allow for redundant telemetry transmission and display.

9. Circuit boards must be coated to protect against exposure to water or heavy mist.

10. The gimbal, laser, radios and camera must be powered by the aircraft’s auxiliary power supply system.

11. Must have a “lost link” feature so that if the connection between the RC unit and the aircraft is lost the aircraft will automatically return to the current location of operation.

12. The aircraft must be capable of flying to pre-determined track lines to enable transect missions.

13. The aircraft must be operable from shore, as well as from moving small boats and larger vessels with features specific to vessel based operations. These include (1) GPS location updates sent from a beacon on the ground station to the aircraft while on a moving platform to allow come home/lost link features to focus on most current location of the mobile ground station (2) ability to recall previous land calibrations (3) when conducting mapping operations the aircraft must track an independent position for the ground station that is separate from the waypoints associated with the transect mission.

14. Ground station must be capable of displaying both analog and HD video, and receiving telemetry data on a separate screen with operational indicator lights that indicate activation of position hold, altitude hold, care free mode, and come home/lost link functions. Also required are audible/visual warnings for low battery (on aircraft and ground station) and lost link.

15. The ground station must include diversity receivers for video and telemetry and display the following telemetry data, at minimum: altitude, battery voltage, distance, heading, waypoint number, flight time, quality of the satellite fix.

16. Telemetry and video transmitters must have a communication range of at least 0.5 miles with no interference to the ground station.

17. Manufacturer's training must be offered

18. Manufacturer must warrant that the products delivered are free of material and workmanship defects. Should the

(Insert PR/RFQ number, as applicable) equipment fail within 6 months of delivery due to defective material or workmanship, the product must be replaced or repaired at no charge Fully assembled and configured hexacopter with:

o 2.4GHz spread spectrum radio control transmitter and receiver o 2-axis camera gimbal o Laser altimeter o HD video transmitter o Stand-alone APH ground station o FindMe module o Transport case o Battery charger

It should be delivered by March 1st, 2021. Total cost including shipping is approximately $63,850 for all three units ($20,950 per APH-22, $21,950 per APH-28) in FY21. If funding is available, we would purchase several more units over the next .

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

Aerial Imaging Solutions LLC 5 Myrica Way Old Lyme, CT 06371 Phone: 860-434-3637

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

□ Brand Name – This particular brand name is essential to the requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs.

A thorough investigation of other UAS models has been conducted. No off-the-shelf models fit our needs for quality data. We need an aircraft that can be used for photogrammetry and mapping at minimum all in one. It must also be outfitted for our specific cameras and to communicate with ground stations and RC units already being utilized by our multiple partners throughout NOAA, as well as being comprtible with parts and accessories already in collaborator’s possession. These modifications cannot be done by other manufactures.

These ground stations, camera gimbals, firmware, GPS beacons, and home waypoint abilites were all designed and constructed by AIS. Those features must also be available in our new drone systems and work interchangeably with current inventory in the possession of collaborators and partners. These specialized features will allow us to lay a solid foundation for our UAS operations by providing proven quality results from an aircraft designed for countless, diverse projects. AIS is the only manufacturer that can put us on this trajectory. Other brand names do not have the capabilities we require and are not easily customizable to meet all of our needs (size, endurance, quality, compatibility).

□ Compatibility to existing systems or equipment - The required supplies must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment, and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement.

Many of our collaborators (SWFSC, NEFSC,etc.) own aircraft custom built by AIS. The APH models purchased here will use most the same parts including RC unit, ground station, custom gimbal, laser altimeter, firmware, and internal electronics for a seamless interchangeability should we need to leverage resources from these partners. These aircraft have been vetted and exhibit consistent reliability, which adds a level of safety and reduces overall cost of introducing new drones into the system. It will also allow easier repairs/maintenance without the risk of confusing separate systems or using incorrect parts. Work with AIS will save money because we would not have to purchase as many spare parts and accessories, as we can leverage some of these resources from partners who already have these items in their inventory. AIS builds very reliable platforms with no history of mechanical faults. The equipment continuity and ability to utilize a variety of payloads allows for more flexibility in research projects.

5. Market Research.

GSA and FBO were checked for hexacopters. Only a single training module for IED removal was available of GSA and is not designed for the types of operations we intend to engage in. Research has proven that off-the-shelf UAS are not adequate for our research needs. There is nothing from a kit or pre-assembled that could provide maximum data quality with all of the compatibility, safety and endurance requirements that the APH-22 and 28 models offer. The APH aircrafts are unique in that they were designed and constructed by AIS and are not available from another source. They were designed for science, not hobby use. They are fully compatible with all of the APH systems currently used by collaborators (SWFSC, NEFSC, Duke Marine Lab, etc.). They will save money by not having to vet a completely new system as well as through compatibility with systems, parts, and accessories already in stores within NOAA and external partners. AIS is the only manufacturer capable of meeting all of our needs.

In addition, according to the American Security Drone Act currently before Congress and a draft Presidential Executive Order currently being considered, the vast majority of UAS on the market are not allowed to be used by federal agencies due to a large number of components that are made in China. The UAS from Aerial Imaging Solutions use only components that are made in the US or Europe, which make the company uniquely qualify for supplying UAS to us.

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

_____________________________________ __12/11/2020____ Christian Jones Date (Research Fisheries Biologist, SEFSC)

Todd Kellison Date (Acting Mississippi Laboratories Director)

7. Determination

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

Contracting Officer

JONES.CHRISTIAN.M.138

8143912

Digitally signed by

JONES.CHRISTIAN.M.1388143912

Date: 2020.12.11 15:47:57 -06'00'

Digitally signed by

KELLISON.GREGORY.T.1365849206

Date: 2020.12.11 17:53:54 -05'00'