Sole Source Justification_Redacted.pdf

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SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

Li-ion Internal Short Detection

1300866683

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT), Undersea Warfare (USW) Platforms & Payload Integration Department Code 45 requires a design and technology demonstration to detect internal short circuits of 1 mega ohm or greater in a Li-ion battery consisting of parallel groups of 13 to 30 cells and up to 8 cells in series. The hardware will be demonstrated in the laboratory/”depot” level, and when ultimately integrated with the battery needs to be no larger than 6” x 2” x 1” (LxWxH). This is a critical layer of safety required for submarine embarkation of Li-ion batteries on all classes of submarine. Services will include a review of the current design and modifications needed to meet requirements, design to the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) level, building a representative battery configuration for demonstration testing, testing and delivery of PDR documentation.

The Period of Performance will be three (3) months from the date of award.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:

The technical capability to measure internal short circuits of magnitude 1 mega ohm and greater in an operationally relevant time is only available from CAMX Power, who has Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) data rights to the short detection measurement method. CAMX is the owner of the intellectual property associated with the measurement technology. Therefore, the design modification will not be government owned and is cannot be bid by another vendor.

This is a specific and highly specialized technology for Li-ion batteries that is not available from any other manufacturer. CAMX Power was previously competitively selected for SBIR phase II and phase II option award (contract number N00024-16-C-4039) for this technology. Other vendors can measure the presence of internal short circuits, but not with the sensitivity (1 mega ohm and greater) and measurement time required. As a result, the services have to be procured through CAMX Power.

The technology is a critical layer of safety that can detect the development of an internal short circuit in the field. Internal short circuits can lead to thermal runaway of a cell and a large scale battery thermal runaway on the platform. The use of this technology is part of reducing the residual risk of the system to an acceptable level. If these services cannot be secured, the result would be a delay in providing the Navy an Urgent Operational Need (UON) and put a national security mission at risk.

RESELLERS:

The required design services can only be procured through CAMX Power. CAMX Power does not have any resellers.

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Requiring Department:

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a Sole Source basis. I certify the technical data which form the basis of this justification are complete and accurate.

APPROVAL:

Contracting Officer:

Based on the above, I have determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available/only this brand can fulfill the requirements. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.