Sole Source VALD Equip.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

April 2021 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 1 of 3

Section A: General Contract Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: 355th Contracting Squadron Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ

Project/Program Name: 48th Rescue Squadron Human Performance Optimization Force Plate and Data Collection

Purchase Request / Local ID Number:

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

To enhance our Human Performance Optimization program, we require standardized equipment for quantitative data collection. This will enable us to develop data-driven strength and conditioning programs and implement a criterion-based scale for accurate Return to Duty decision-making following injury or surgical rehabilitation.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

This document provides justification for the single-source procurement of VALD Health performance assessment technologies. This acquisition is essential to standardize the equipment used for quantitative data collection within the 48th Rescue Squadron's Human Performance Optimization (HPO) program, ensuring full compatibility and interoperability with existing systems.

Requirement for an Integrated, Multi-System Ecosystem

The core requirement is for a fully integrated suite of tools that can measure various components of human performance, including strength, power, and balance. The VALD Health system is a comprehensive ecosystem that includes:

• ForceDecks (FD Lite): Dual force plates for analyzing neuromuscular performance in jumping, landing, and isometric tests.

• DynaMo Max: A handheld dynamometer and inclinometer for objective strength and range-of-motion testing.

• DynaMo Max Expansion Package: Adjustable straps and accoutrements for the DynaMo Max for total body assessment with included travel case.

• ForceFrame Max Strength Testing System: Attachment device for maximal isometric testing of large body joints (i.e., upper extremity and lower extremity).

This requirement cannot be met by sourcing from multiple vendors, as no other single brand offers this breadth of interconnected devices. Procuring from different manufacturers would result in a fragmented system with significant data integration challenges, undermining the core purpose of the HPO program.

Furthermore, each system for procurement: DynaMo Max, ForceDecks, and ForceFrame Max all include VALD Hub Cloud Analytics platform for customizable reports with unlimited user profiles, a 5-year warranty, all upgrades, and dedicated support.

2. Interoperability with Existing Government-Owned Equipment

The 48th RQS HPO program is currently equipped with and actively utilizes the VALD DynaMo (Dynamometer) system. This device is already integrated into our testing protocols for providing accurate strength measurements across all major joints. The procurement of additional VALD systems is the only way

April 2021 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 3 to ensure seamless interoperability and data aggregation with our existing equipment.

• Centralized Data Platform: All VALD devices feed data into a single, cloud-based platform, the VALD Hub. This allows for a holistic view of an operator's physical readiness by combining data from the force plates, dynamometer, and other VALD systems.

• Elimination of Data Silos: Purchasing from alternate brands would create data silos, requiring practitioners to manually collate information from disparate software platforms. This is inefficient, prone to error, and prevents the comprehensive analysis required for effective program development and return-to-duty decision-making.

3. Enhanced Data Reliability, Validity, and Standardization

Standardization of equipment is a cornerstone of scientific and clinical testing. Utilizing a single brand for all performance assessments is critical for:

• Reliability: It ensures that any changes measured in an operator's performance are due to actual physiological changes, not variations in testing hardware or software algorithms.

• Validity: The VALD system has been scientifically validated against laboratory-grade equipment.

Relying on a single, validated system ensures that we are measuring what we intend to measure with a high degree of accuracy.

• Normative Data: The VALD Hub includes an extensive normative database, allowing our practitioners to compare our operators' data against a large, relevant peer group. This context is invaluable for setting realistic goals and making informed decisions. This level of integrated normative data is not available if equipment is sourced from multiple vendors.

4. Fiscal and Administrative Efficiency

A single-source procurement offers significant long-term cost savings and administrative advantages:

• Consolidated Licensing: The VALD ecosystem operates on a unified software licensing model.

Sourcing from multiple vendors would require the management and payment of separate annual license fees for each piece of equipment, increasing the total cost of ownership and administrative burden.

• Streamlined Training and Support: Utilizing a single vendor simplifies operator training, maintenance, and technical support, creating a more efficient workflow for the HPO staff.

In conclusion, soliciting alternate brands would result in a collection of incompatible devices, increased long-term costs, and a failure to meet the critical requirement for an integrated and standardized data collection system. Therefore, VALD Health is the only vendor capable of providing the total package system necessary to meet the mission requirements of the 48th Rescue Squadron's Human Performance Optimization program.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Market research for additional systems that would be compatible with existing equipment does not exist. Alternate market products such as Sparta Science and Hawkins Dynamic would require sourcing outside of existing compatible equipment.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

The 48th Rescue Squadron is committed to maximizing competition in all future procurements. The current brand-name

April 2021 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 3 requirement is a result of the need to maintain interoperability with existing, previously competed, and fielded equipment.

To preclude future brand-name-only awards, the squadron will:

Define Future Requirements Generically: For all new, large-scale equipment procurements and lifecycle replacements, requirements will be defined using performance-based specifications and salient characteristics, expressly avoiding brand names wherever possible.

Conduct Full Market Research: During the planning phase for future capabilities, the squadron will conduct thorough market research to identify and evaluate products from multiple manufacturers to establish new equipment baselines through full and open competition.

This current action is considered a short-term necessity to support an immediate deployment, not a precedent for future acquisition strategy.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

23-Mar-2026

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer

Joshua Rodriguez, SSgt, USAF

Signature of Contracting Officer

April 2021 Page of Section A: General Contract Information Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan?

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

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