Source Justification URI_Redacted.pdf

v1.5_JANUARY2020

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

Deep Sea Data Collection

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT), requires engineering support for a deep sea data collection. This request for engineering services is to obtain personnel and equipment support for at sea data collection of deep sea biology (the deep scattering layer) to support

. This project requires data collection at over 200-

2000 meters depth and unique equipment designed to sample oceanographic features, record biological activity, and image deep sea biology with an ultra-low light camera. The anticipated dollar value of this contract is . The period of performance is one year from date of award.

The requirements are listed in the table below.

Required Features:

Active heave-compensated electric winch, wound with 3300m of fiber optic cable and capable of hoisting up to 1500lbs.

SIMRAD EK80 multi-beam fisheries echo sounder Deep (1000 meters +) housing for Canon ME20F-SH low light camera Custom battery-powered midwater observation payload capable of taking an EK80 fisheries echo sounder, Canon ME20F-SH low-light camera, and dimmable lights Working Relationship with BIOS Field Station Locality proximate to NUWCDIVNPT to facilitate collaboration, experiment preparation, and subsequent data analysis.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:

The University of Rhode Island (URI) is the only known source with the required equipment, expertise, and location to execute the required at sea data collection. The URI Ocean

Engineering Department, possesses several pieces of custom built equipment designed for deep sea biological research that are required for this project. No other known universities, oceanographic institutions, or private companies have this type of equipment available. URI's equipment has already been designed, custom built, and fielded. Should another university be v1.5_JANUARY2020 interested in doing this type of work for NUWCDIVNPT, they would have to invest approximately for the development and building this unique equipment. While some equipment requirements (e.g., SIMRAD EK80) could be met by a number of research institutions in the US, the custom winch and midwater observation payload are unique items to the Ocean Engineering Department lab at URI, and are not available through an alternate contractor. Additionally, the laboratory possesses the expertise to field this equipment and ensure that data collections are successful if any modifications need to be made in the field in real time. The URI laboratory is within the area local to NUWCDIVNPT and is capable of supporting the schedule necessary to complete the work to support mission needs.

RESELLERS:

o N/A

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 can fulfill the requirements. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.