SSJ Redacted.docx

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS

From:

To: Code 02 Acquisition Branch

Subj: SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES, ESTIMATED VALUE, AND DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

A quantity of one DMA850, consisting of the DMA unit, integrated furnace, interchangeable clamps, and control software. The furnace system is used to facilitate temperature control during dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests supporting qualification of material samples for existing and future Navy vessel hull treatments. Delivery of this system is needed before 30 Sep 2021 to support ongoing DMA test efforts.

MANUFACTURER:

TA Instruments 159 Lukens Dr.

New Castle, DE 19720

The estimated cost is $ .

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SOLE SOURCE BASED ON CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION

Code 7220 requires a new, current-generation Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), used to determine and qualify materials/polymers used for Navy submarine coatings. The DMAs currently owned by 7220 have tight schedule of material testing in support of various Navy programs such as the Virginia-class, Columbia-class, and SSN(X) development work. 7220 supports multiple program offices and sponsors with this testing capability, including SUB 073, NAVSEA 05, NAVSEA 08, PMS 450, PMS 392, PMS 397, ONR, and private parties through Work with Private Parties (WWPP) agreements.

Code 7220 has already procured and qualified the prior-generation, TA Instruments DMA Q800 test systems, but does not currently own the only currently-available system from TA Instruments, the DMA850. TA Instruments will stop supporting the Q800-series in 2 years, and 7220 needs equipment that can be annually serviced and calibrated in order to perform 7220’s critical role in hull treatment S&T, R&D, and vendor certification. Additionally, the test data is used to support the work products of many other branches and departments at NSWCCD.

Vendors that support the Navy are only able to purchase the DMA850 from TA Instruments, as the Q800 is no longer being sold. In its role supporting NAVSEA 05P1 and the various program offices listed above, NSWCCD performs the certifications for DMA equipment at vendor

Enclosure

(1) Page of facilities; we need our own DMA850 in order to understand the equipment and its operations prior to attempting to certify any vendor equipment.

In addition, TA Instruments, the sole vendor of the DMA850, provides exclusive services to install the equipment and provide training.

It is with this urgency that an updated, current-generation model DMA be procured for 7220 to continue its mission supporting the Navy. 7220 already owns and has evaluated a chiller system, the TA ACS-3, which is the only compressed-air chiller approved for use with the DMA850.

Coming up with an alternative DMA and compressed-air chilling system would cost at least one man-year of time to select, purchase, evaluate, and qualify another brand at a cost of at least $. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1 only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement and award to any other source would incur substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition.

3. MARKET SURVEY

A market survey was performed, which determined that the TA Instruments was the only vendor that provided a DMA that was compatible with Code 722’s ACS-3 chiller system and met the dynamic property measurement requirements needed for DMA testing.

4. ADDITIONAL FACTS

5. CUSTOMER SIGNATURE:

I certify that the statements and information provided above, are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the processing of this sole source justification precludes the use of full and open competition.