SSJ - USAFA Flute - CO Signed - Redacted.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

November 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 3 the instrument. The USAFA bands status as one of the Air Force's two premier bands requires that they strive for the highest possible level of sound quality.

The member tested numerous types of flutes and keyed on the Yamaha Handmade Flute Model 877HHVCTCDR being the only model that could meet all the Government's needs. The Flute Center of New York is the ONLY Company that can support this requirement, as they are the only company that is in possession of this instrument. It is a custom made flute, and is the only flute of its kind in the world. It is a specific serial number instrument, and has specific alterations dissimilar to any other of its model. Due to this specific flute being the best fit and the only one in existence, it is recommended to proceed as a sole source requirement to the Flute Center of New York, LLC.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

The customer has determined that the range, performance and comfort of this instrument is far superior to 5 other instruments tested, encompassing 5 different brands from contacting two vendors (The Flute Center of New York and Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company). The following is a summarized list of the flutes tested and the associated outcomes:

1) Muramatsu Silver Handmade Flute - Lacks shimmer, character, and glow to sound. Difficulty in playing smoothly in intervals.

2) Haynes Silver Handmade Flute - Accuracy in technical passage suffers. The mechanism of the instrument does not fit the player's comfort.

3) Powell Silver Handmade Flute - Discomfort on controlling intonation throughout the range. Lacks shimmer, character, and glow to sound.

4) Burkart Silver Handmade Flute - Lacks control in the upper register. Sound is too thick and bright.

5) Brannen Silver Handmade Flute - Although it had fluid, ergonomic mechanism, it limited dynamic range and restricted feeling.

Sufficient market research has been conducted to ensure that the Yamaha Handmade Flute Model 877HHVCTCDR is the only brand/model that can fulfill the requirement.

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

For future acquisitions, the commercial marketplace will again be searched by the USAFA Band to find any/ all potential vendors capable of providing the required item(s).