Sole Source Justification_Redacted.pdf

NSWCCD Sole Source/Brand Name Justification Under SAT Rev 2 Template Effective February 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR FILE

FROM:

CODE: 612

TO: Code 02 SUBJECT: Sole Source/Brand Name Justification / Limited Source Justification for Use of Other than Full &

Open Competition for an Acquisition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

I. BACKGROUND

1. FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) states for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, 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.

2. As required by FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i), this memorandum explains the absence of competition for this acquisition, as only one source will be solicited for this requirement (or for a portion of the requirement) and the requirement is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

3. This memorandum is derived from Enclosure 3, Department of Navy Simplified Acquisition Procedures Guide (April 2018) and is only applicable to acquisitions under the SAT.

II. DESCRIPTION OF ITEM OR SERVICE

A replacement high resolution camera is required to enable full operation and expand the baseline capabilities of the JEOL JEM 2100 Scanning Transition Electron Microscope (STEM) currently operated by NSWCCD C/612.

The currently installed camera for the JEM 2100 TEM is no longer functioning and the vendor (Gatan) has indicated that the camera is no longer serviceable/is obsolete. The camera must be compatible with the existing STEM (JEOL JEM 2100) and must be a scintillator camera capable of operating up to 200 kV. The camera must also be retractable to provide space for future detector installations. The recommended vendor is Ametek (the parent company of Gatan) and the estimated value of the replacement camera, applicable analysis software, and installation is estimated to be .

MANUFACTURER: Ametek (Parent company of Gatan) ADDRESS: 780 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086

PHONE:

POC: Matthew Thompson

III. BASIS FOR DETERMINATION FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

The recommended camera is an upgraded version of the camera that is currently installed on the TEM operated by C/612. A search of the marketplace for a high resolution camera compatible with the JEOL JEM 2100 TEM identified three companies that offer compatible cameras. However, one of the companies do not supply scintillator camera, consequently, their TEM only operates at low accelerating voltage, are too sensitive, and not robust enough for our intended applications. The second company supplies scintillator cameras, however, the software package supplied with the camera is much less fully featured with minimal built in image processing capabilities. In order to conduct post-processing and analysis on the recorded images the use of secondary analysis software (e.g. Image J) is required. The Gatan Microscopy Suite (GMS) software has built in image processing and analysis tools that do not require outside software packages.

NSWCCD Sole Source/Brand Name Justification Under SAT Rev 2 Template Effective February 2022

B. SOLE SOURCE (select all that apply)

2. Exclusive Licensing Agreements: The item or service is only available from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), or there is only one authorized distributor or technical representative for the OEM.

Ametek has indicated that there are no authorized resellers for the Gatan camera upgrades. Otherwise, TEM manufacturers (JEOL, Hitachi, FEI, etc.) are only authorized to sell Gatan cameras when configuring a new TEM build.

The JEOL JEM 2100 used by NSWCCD C/612 currently has an obsolete and non-functioning Gatan MultiScan CCD camera installed. NSWCCD C/612 is trained to and has more experience using the GMS software.

Procurement of an alternative camera and software package would require NSWCCD C/612 operators to learn the new software and use multiple software packages to accomplish the same tasks that can be performed by GMS.

Gatan offers software with more capabilities than those offered by other manufacturers, given the current knowledge and expertise of C/612 engineers. Additionally, Ametek is the manufacturer of other detectors currently installed on C/612 equipment. Procuring the Gatan TEM camera may streamline service contracts and technician support due to the integration within Ametek.

IV. CERTIFICATIONS & APPROVALS

A. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the facts and representation under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

B. Certification/Approval per FAR 13.501: Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c).