Sole_Source_Justification_2023_Photo_Printer.pdf

Requisition Number: SHOP-PR-23-000609 Version 1.0 Page 1 of 4

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

JUSTIFICATION

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH

AUTHORITY 10.U.S.C. 3304 (C) (1) OR 41 U.S.C. 3304 (A) (1)

Requisition Number: SHOP-PR-23-000609

Date: July 2023 Estimated Dollar Value: $71,771.00

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, has prepared this justification for other than full and open competition for one Noritsu printer on behalf of the New York Field Office, Photographic Operations Unit (OS-57).

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 firm fixed price contract that will be sole-sourced to Noritsu of America. Noritsu of America does not have authorized resellers and therefor, will be sole sourced to the manufacturer.

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

The mission of the New York Field Office’s Photographic Operations Unit (OS-57) is to provide high quality photographic images of evidence such as shoe prints, fingerprints, and tire tread comparisons. This requires high quality images that can be compared manually and viewed at a 6 to 8 times magnification without viewing printing artificates. The Photographic Operations Unit has found that the unique high quality printing process used by the Noritsu QSS Green III printers allows for the manual comparison of known cards to latent images that maintain the high quality standards for quality examination results. These are further used for courtroom exhibitions during trials, as well as various office requests from Executive Management and others. Oftentimes, a large volume is needed in a short amount of time. To ensure OS-57 is able to meet these needs is with a high quality, large volume, high speed printer that can print a vast array sizes.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

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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.

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

The Noritsu QSS Green III has been compared to a Fuji and Epson printers. The Noritsu image quality is far superior to these printers when viewed at a magnification of 6 to 8 times. This is what is normally used for manual comparisons of known and latent print friction ridge comparisons. The Noritsu printing process allows for a blending of color pixels that produce an invisible blending of ink droplets and produces a high quality image that can be viewed at magnifications other than from the naked eye. The Noritsu also allows for printing at a variety of different sizes on a large volume basis. This is essential for OS-57 to be able to print high quality images of varying sizes in a large volume quickly and efficiently. No compared printers have the variety of sizes, large volume, and high speed print capability to the Noritsu.

5. 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 this requirement on the Federal Business Opportunities 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.

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 price analysis in accordance with FAR 15.804-2(a)-(e).

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

The Photographic Operations Unit, in consultation with the Laboratory Division, Forensic Response Section, Operational Projects Unit (OPU), has reviewed printed images from the Fuji DL-650 Pro, Epson SureColor P400 and the Epson SureColor P800, and determined that in a side by side comparison of the printouts, when viewed at magnifications of 6 to 8 times, the Noritsu has a superior image for comparisons. The comparison images consisted of friction ridge images as well as a target resolution image (contains images of horizontal, vertical and 45 degree lines that range from 1 to 5 pixels at 500 ppi, 256/64 grey scale patterns, etc). A comparison of volume and speed was also run with the Epson SureColor P800. The print speed was significantly lower, which reduces the capacity to print large volumes. On the Epson, a single 8x10 print took roughly 5-10 minutes to print and dry before being able to handle. The Noritsu can print roughly 75-100 8x10 prints in 5-10 minutes, and the images print dry so they are able to be handled immediately without any additional drying time. For comparison, an order of 75

Requisition Number: SHOP-PR-23-000609 Version 1.0 Page 3 of 4

8x10 prints would take roughly 8 ½ hours to complete, estimating a median of 7 minutes per photo for printing and drying.

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

N/A

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

A combined synopsis/solicitation intent to sole source will be posted on SAM.gov. 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.

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

There are no alternatives but to require the purchase of the Noritsu Green III Dry Digital Printer so that print comparisons and investigative presentations are not severely impacted by lower quality images due to the print process of digital images. There are no alternatives but to require the purchase of the Noritsu Green III Dry Digital Printer so that the productivity for investigative and administrative support is not severely impacted by loss of speed, volume and print size availability.

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Reviews and Approvals (Not exceeding $650,000)

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.

Stacey Ragen Date Field Photographer

Contracting Officer:

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

David Yates Date Contracing Officer

Stacey Ragen 8/11/2023

8/11/2023