Sole_Source-_Liquid_Robotics_2.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of an SV-3 Waveglider autonomous ocean vessel on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.5.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. This action being approved is a firm fixed price order with Liquid Robotics, Inc.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The supplies required to meet the agencies needs are the following:

1 SV-3 Wave-Glider 4 Auxiliary Power Units 1 year subscription to WGMS service 1 WaveGlider Rapid Crate 1 WaveGlier Rapid Stand 1 and 3 year maintenance package

4. Estimated Dollar Value. The estimated dollar value of the action being approved is

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of Section 201 of the Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 USC 501) and FAR 13.5.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

The Liquid Robotics waveglider is the only autonomous ocean-surface vessel that is compatible with the Sonardyne GPS-A module, currently being purchased by the USGS and valued at ~$190,000. The Sonardyne GPS-A module was designed specifically for integration with a Liquid Robotics wave-glider. The Sonardyne GPS-A module is the ocean surface instrumentation that is compatible with and communicates directly with our existing seafloor GPS-A instrumentation (offshore Alaska and Oregon). Seafloor GPS-A measurements are required to measure most accurately the deformation leading up to and including subduction zone earthquakes that represent significant hazard to the United States.

The Liquid Robotics SV-3 Waveglider is the only autonomous ocean vessel/platform currently capable of transporting and providing power to the Sonardyne GPS-A module. Additionally, the communications module on the SV-3 waveglider permits the acquired data to be transmitted via satellite to USGS personnel for quality control assessment and mission adjustments.

Accordingly, if the USGS is to continue making autonomous, extended measurements of its previous investment in seafloor GPS-A infrastructure we require the purchase of a Liquid Robotics waveglider.

7. Other Information. N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

Market research confirms the only autonomous ocean-surface vessel that is compatible with the instrumentation with which the USGS requires to make our scientific observations is the Liquid Robotics SV-3 Waveglider.

RFI 140G0322Q0033 was posted to SAM.gov for ten days with only Liquid Robotics submitting a response.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. Future requirements for same/similar needs will undergo market research and be competed to the maximum extent practical.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a limited source basis. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification, that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

11. Certifications and Approval from the Contracting Officer:

a. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available. The Government anticipates receiving a fair and reasonable price by basing it on one or more of the allowable options indicated in FAR 13.106

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Approvals