SS - Limiting Competition under SAT -USAMRICD 20-Q-0107..._Redacted.pdf

Control No:

Version – February 2017 Page 1 of 5

Memorandum for Record – Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702.

2. Description of Action: The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), requests brand name Müller Instrument products Hydrophone and Amplifier that will provide continuity needed to use with the existing Acoustic System:

Four (4) each Müller-Platte Needle Probe Hydrophones and four (4) each Müller MVA- 10 Voltage Amplifiers to fulfill UBI-research milestones and shipping to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The Government projects award for 31July 2020.

Nature:

New Requirement Follow-on Requirement

Contract Vehicle:

Purchase Order Number:

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Number Order/BPA# against FSS Contract # Order # against Multiple Award IDIQ Contract Name or

Order # against a single award IDC Contract #

Modification # to existing PO/TO/DO/Call Order

Pricing/Contract Type:

Fixed Price Time & Materials/Labor Hours Cost Reimbursable Hybrid

Funds:

Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA) Other Funds: FY: , in the amount of $ .

Name of Proposed Contractor(s) and Address:

National Measurement Solutions, LLC 128 Misty Morning Drive Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

DUNS: 080389420

Control No: JA-

Version – February 2017 Page 2 of 5

CAGE Code: 7Q231

Brand Name Buy:

Yes No

3. Description of Services or Supplies: The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense requires brand name Müller Instruments products, Hydrophone and Amplifier that will provide the consistency needed to use with the existing Acoustic System:

Part Number

Description Quantity

100-100-1 Müller-Platte Needle Probe Hydrophones

200-120-1 Müller MVA-10 Voltage Amplifier 4 Shipping 1

4. Authority:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

Or

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) and 8.405-6(b)(1)Brand Name

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) Urgency

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) Only One Source is Capable

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) Logical Follow-on

Or

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) Only One Awardee is Capable

FAR 16.505(a)(4) Brand Name

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) Urgency

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C) Logical Follow-on

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(D) Minimum Guarantee

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: USAMRICD in conjunction with collaborator Army Research Laboratory (ARL) will investigate the ability for modulated ultrasound (MUS) to produce a bioeffects, to include traumatic brain injury (TBI). A funded investigation

Control No: JA-20-06-0330

Version – February 2017 Page 3 of 5 aims to improve our understanding of waveguide, resonance cavity, and acoustical cavitation properties of intracranial contents. This learned knowledge will serve and the foundation for further characterization of threats relative to the warfighter health. Subject matter experts at ARL in this field of study have extensive firsthand clinical knowledge from previous TBI casualties. USAMRICD will be procuring instrumentation to recreate MUS. In order to study the bioeffects, USAMRICD requires equipment that can measure specific acoustic characteristics. Specifically, USAMRICD requires brand name Müller- Platte Needle Probe Hydrophones and Müller MVA-10 Voltage Amplifiers, as part of an already procured system for measuring and recoding bioeffects. These needle hydrophones are designed and extensively validated for recording high frequency sound in small biological aqueous environments. The diameter of the sensor is less than 50 micrometers and extremely short rise time (~50 ns) make it an instrument of choice for measuring shock waves and cavitation events in situ in USAMRICD’s cadaver and live specimen experiments. National Measurement Solutions, LLC, as well as several international business (some of which are believed to be small businesses) have been identified by the Contract Specialist (CS) as potential sources capable of providing the required brand name Müller Instrument products. Only the brand name Müller Instrument products will work within USAMRICD’s specific environment (the fluid spaces surrounding brain tissue (subarachnoid space and brain ventricles) and fluid spaces of the inner ear) to record and measure bioeffects with minimal damage of surrounding tissues. Therefore, no other equipment will meet USAMRICD’s requirement than brand name Müller Instrument products.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For FAR Part 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 , do not apply due to the $ threshold, apply and will be followed, or do not apply due to an exception at

5.202 (a)(13)(i)(ii)&(iii), is for an amount that is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and will be made through a means that provides access to the solicitation through the GPE and permits the public to respond to solicitation W81XWH- 20-Q-0107 electronically on BETA.SAM.gov. The solicitation will be posted for 15 days for brand name only and 100% set aside for small businesses.

Requirement to post justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), FAR 13.105(c), or FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A)

Action is NOT a brand name restriction and is under $150K, no posting required

Action is a brand name restriction, under $25K, no posting required

Action is a brand name restriction, over $25K. It will be redacted and posted with the solicitation.

Action is a brand name restriction over $25K but will not be posted due to exception:

FAR 6.305(f)

Control No: JA-20-06-0330

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FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(A)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(B)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(C)

FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii(C)

7. Market Research: USAMRICD conducts market research of acoustic equipment on an on-going basis and identifies manufacturers capable of providing acoustic equipment for their research. In order to study the bioeffects, USAMRICD requires equipment that can measure specific acoustic characteristics. Specifically, USAMRICD requires brand name Müller Instruments products Hydrophone and Amplifier products, as part of an already procured system for measuring and recoding bioeffects. This project will collect acoustic bioeffects data by introducing inner ear waves via the brand name Müller- Platte Needle Probe Hydrophones and four (4) each Müller MVA-10 Voltage Amplifiers, as well as a series of amplifiers already procured.

The CS conducted market research on 1 and 3 June 2020 by an internet search for these items. The search identified National Measurement Solutions, LLC, as well as several international business capable of providing the specific brand name Müller products In addition, the CS believes some of the identified international business are small business concerns, On 3 June 2020 the CS contacted National Measurement Solutions, LLC, POC to inquire if the Contractor was an authorized re-sellers for Mueller products. National Measurement Solutions, LLC, POC informed the CS that National Measurement Solutions, LLC, is the only US contact and distributer for brand name Müller products

8. Other Facts: The CS identified National Measurement Solutions, LLC (the only US source), and several international Contractors capable of providing a commercially available product for the needs of the Government. The CS believes that there are at least two (2) or more small business from the international pool. Therefore, the CS recommends this brand name Müller products requirement be set aside 100% for small business concerns.

9. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Typed Name: Date:

Title:

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10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon price analysis.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a sole source is in the best interest of the

Government. Additionally, I approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Typed Name:

Date:

Title: Contracting Officer Signature: