Sole Source Justification.docx

Attachment 2 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Sole Source Determination For actions above the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding the SAT

Date: 09/4/2023 PR Number: 20140197

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and anticipated cost:

The IRIS Automation Casia system is an optical awareness system used to detect and avoid (DAA) manned aircraft. Casia can be used onboard a small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) or on the ground. USBP SUAS Program is seeking the Casia X DAA system to provide 360x360 degree awareness for testing our beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) safety case to the FAA. Expected cost $84,000.

2. Sole Source Determination Rationale in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii). (Check one and explain below):

____X____ Only one source reasonably available.

_________ Urgent and compelling circumstances exists.

_________ Exclusive licensing agreement exists.

_________ Brand name. If the brand name requirement applies to a portion of the procurement, please identify that portion.

_________ Industrial Mobilization ____X___ Other. Explain:

This system is additional equipment to the SUAS and therefore requires installation. Though the vendor offers video support for client installation, the SUAS program would be required to observe the vendor perform the initial installation to preserve the airworthiness/integrity of the aircraft. This also relieves the program of the liability of initial installation. Though other DAA exist, the Casia X system has the most approved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waivers for BVLOS SUAS operations.

3. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable based on one or more of the price analysis techniques described below in accordance with FAR Part 13.106-3(a)(2).

_________ Market Research.

_________ Comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases.

_________ Current price List.

_________ Comparison with similar items in a related industry.

_____X__ Comparison to IGCE.

_________ Contracting Officer’s personal knowledge.

_____X____ Other. Explain:

Pricing was found to be very similar to other available systems. Additionally, the current pricing provided by Iris Automation for Casia X($25K for the Hardware and $12K for the software) was similar to pricing charged 2 years ago to the NMSU Physical Science Laboratory, $23K Hardware, $12K software).

4. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification:

I certify that this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for the Sole Source Determination, is accurate and complete.

Technical Representative/COR

5. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval:

I hereby determine that the circumstances described herein exist and that the information is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge:

Contracting Specialist

Contracting Officer

Version 1.0 September 2016