Sole Source Justification for beta.SAM.pdf

ERDC Control No. 20-2010

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (EDRC – CERL)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: Army RDT&E

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $148,500.00.

b. This requirement is for one unmanned vehicle with autonomous capabilities and the capabilities to operate in severe outdoor conditions, to be used in a government research program. The requirement includes an option for radios that work with the autonomous capabilities. Specifically we require the J8 Atlas platform vehicle and a modified version of Persistent Systems MPU5 radios.

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g. urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The J8 Atlas is the Department of Defense (DoD) approved robotic movement platform and this research program must replicate other programs that utilize this equipment. The J8 Atlas with autonomous capability as developed and installed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Provectus Robotics Solutions, is advanced for off-road capabilities and is currently in use by USACE, Rapid Equipping Force and US Army. The capabilities are advanced such that competition in this area of expertise is non-existent as a proven technology other than what has been developed by the OEM, however Provectus does have a network of product distributors.

Unmanned Systems Source LLC is the sole U.S. distributor for Provectus, with the ability to add a design package that allows the J8 Atlas to operate in severe outdoor conditions. This includes A.I. that enables unhindered autonomous operation in severe outdoor conditions and areas of vegetation such as tall grass, weeds, and small trees, which meets military application.

The Persistent Systems brand MPU 5 radio is the DoD directed radio for this application and Unmanned Systems also has the ability to modify the MPU5 solution to work for their design application.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: A notice of intent to sole source was posted to beta.SAM.gov from July 27, 2020 through August 3, 2020 and no responses were received.

7. Market Research: Market Research was conducted by web search and interviewing subject-matter-experts with past experience in remotely operated vehicles. A product meeting the requirement was found in the commercial marketplace that meets the government’s requirements called the J8 Atlas, which has been selected by the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) Program of Record in 2019 as the standard for robotic movement platform. Market research found multiple resellers of the standard J8 system, but that Unmanned Systems Source LCC is the only authorized reseller that offers a design package that enables the J8 to unhindered autonomous operation in severe outdoor conditions and areas of vegetation such as tall grass, weeds, and small trees, which meets military applications of this research program.

This company has worked directly with CERL and ITL in the past and understands the Army specific requirements and is the only company that meets all these requirements. MPU5 radio is available from multiple sources, however the version in the options are tailored to mount and work with this specific operational package.

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): X Yes No

Purchase order or contract number:_W912HZ19P0040______________ Was action competed? X Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:______________________________________________________________________

9. Additional information to support the justification: For the FY19 procurement listed above the ERDC ITL branch attempted to compete the requirement among the distributors of the J8 Atlas, but Unmanned Systems Source LCC was the only one to submit an offer.

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: Jeffrey Burkhalter Position Title: Acting Chief, Environmental Processes Branch Email Address: Jeffrey.a.burkhalter@usace.army.mil Signature:

Date:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Signature:______________ Typed Name:

Title:

Date: