SSJ_Hardwire_Final_KO Signed_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source Justification Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine that the following product(s) / service(s) are available from only one source, and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

Product(s) / Service(s):

2. This acquisition is restricted to the following source:

Company:

Company Address:

Company Point of Contact (phone number and e-mail):

3. Total Estimated Cost:

4. Required by Date:

5. Justification (check applicable, and provide additional information in the sections below):

Urgent and compelling need exists, following fair opportunity procedures would result in unacceptable delays (explain serious injury, financial or other, to the Government the delay would result in).

Specific Characteristics of the Item or Service

5.1 Urgent and Compelling Need (explain serious injury, financial or other, to the Government if delayed):

A total of 38 panels having dimensions between 7" x 7" and 12" x 10" will incorporate Dyneema HB212 (UHMWPE) fiber that has been processed in the following steps:

1) As a flat sheet it must be pressed to 3000 psi under a heating process, where fabric is heated below the melting temperature of the UHMWPE

2) For each of the panels with curvature using molds provided by NPS reheat the UHMWPE and press the material system to enable shaping of the UHMWPE to the required contours of the armor panel.

3) Bond the the UHMWPE to the provided ceramic sphere front face armor panel using an adhesive film designed specifically for adhesion with UHMWPE

4) Incorporate a nylon wrap to fully encapsulate armor system (ceramic front face and UHMWPE systems)

Hardwire LLC

1947 Clarke Ave, Pocomoke, MD 21851

06/15/2020

N/A

5.2 Specific Characteristics of the Unique or Highly Specialized Item or Service:

6. Check all applicable statements:

The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, function) with existing systems presently installed. The new product(s) / service(s) must coordinate, connect, or interface with existing systems.

A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

These are "direct replacement" parts/components for existing equipment.

The NPS has utilized 120 Hardwire LLC textile backing panels for the study of lightweight concealable armor incorporating ceramic spheres during the developmental phases of it's research. Testing of these panels backing the ceramic sphere front face system enabled the required performance.

The pressing of this textile armor system is very dependent on being pressed near 3000 psi at a specific temperature. Hardwire has a technique that is not used by any other facility where they are able to press the material in a flat orientation to 3000 psi and then heat the material into the required surface contours. Using the wrong press conditions for the fiber can create an issue with performance. This capability is critical to the performance of the armor system.

6.1 Compatibility Statement:

6.2 Copyright / Proprietary Data / Licensing Agreement Statement:

All of the panels tested in the initial phase of development of this armor system were performed using Dyneema HB212 and a pressing technique performed by Hardwire, LLC. Using alternate press conditions for the fiber can create an issue with performance, and require a re-qualification study.

N/A

7. Brand Name (if applicable, detail why the procurement is restricted to a specific brand name manufacturer):

8. Additional information supporting a sole source acquisition:

N/A

The use of an alternate manufacturer's pressing technique would require a re-qualification study of the work already performed in the developmental stages of the project. This would result in duplicative costs to the Government and unacceptable delays to the research.

CERTIFICATION

I certify that the statements and information provided above are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The facts of this acquisition preclude the use of full and open competition.

The requested item(s) and/or service(s) represents the minimum requirements of the government.

NPS Technical Point of Contact or Contracting Officer's Representative:

Title:

Signature:

Date:

NPS Contracting Officer:

Signature:

Date: