Single Source Letter_signed_22Mar2022_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

OKLAHOMA CITY AIR LOGISTICS COMPLEX

(AFMC) TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

08 Mar 2022

TO: AFSC/PZIM

FROM:

SUBJECT: Sole Source Justification for Autoclave System Upgrade

1. The autoclave is used to cure composite materials under a combination of pressure, vacuum and heat. Currently the vacuum manifold has many small leaks and the control valves are obsolete.

The purpose of the upgrade is to replace the vacuum manifold and add safety features, which include a nitrogen double block and bleed system and an oxygen analyzer. The double block and bleed system will prevent an uncontrolled nitrogen discharge should the main nitrogen shutoff valve fail/leak. The oxygen analyzing system will warn the operator should the local environment become oxygen deficient and is tied into the upgraded PCS 2.0 operating system.

This upgrade will also include Walton Process Technology’s (WPT’s) proprietary cool trap canister to solidify vented aerosols before they are discharged into the atmosphere. This is not a bridge contract, with an estimated value of $91,430.84. The Purchase Request number is

2. WPT installed the last software upgrade around 2016/2017. Only if WPT does the proposed upgrade from the PCS Legacy to PCS 2.0 will we be able to keep all existing data, cures, recipes and part histories. The software upgraded will be backward compatible and interface with our existing software. We will have access to all the existing data and be able to pull the data into new types of reports included in the software upgrade. From this point of view there is a software proprietary component to the upgrade, which allows us to keep our historical data.

WPT’s software is not transferable to other computers that have not been licensed by WPT.

Therefore, if we went with another vendor we would lose access to our historical data.

3. Therefore, the proposed sole source vendor is the only vendor that can satisfy the Government’s requirement.

Walton Process Technologies, Inc.

300 South Wisteria St.

Mansfield, TX 76063

(682) 518-9002 Cage Code: 54MZ9

4. Market research was performed reviewing Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and System for Award Management (SAM) databases using North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code (339113) looking for companies that could provide Autoclave System Upgrade. A review of small businesses to include 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, and Women Owned Small Business was conducted in search of a company that could provide Autoclave System Upgrade. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) WPT, owns all proprietary data regarding this requirement. The OEM is the only company that has access to the proprietary software required, as they do not use any third party service companies and they do not train technicians from any other companies to perform the required maintenance.

5. The government will continue to monitor the market to avoid sole source purchases in the future.

6. I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.