VSC9000 SAMgov.pdf

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETTITION

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH

TITLE 41 U.S.C. 3304 (A)(1)

LESS THAN THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD OF $250,000.00

Requisition Number: SHOPPR24002830

Date: July 24, 2024

Estimated Grand Total: $_________________

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Procurement Section (PS), National Acquisition Programs Unit (NAPU) has prepared this justification for other than full and open competition for a Foster and Freeman USA, Inc. VSC9000 Instrument on behalf of the Chemistry Unit (CU), Laboratory Division (LD).

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved, i.e., sole source, limited competition, establishment of a new source, etc.

The proposed contract action shall be a one-time, firm-fixed-price (FFP), open-market (O/M), sole-source, commercial product contract to Foster and Freeman USA, Inc., (CAGE Code 3H9H4), 20145 Ashbrook Place, #190, Ashburn, Virginia, 20147 for one (1) VSC9000 Instrument. The delivery of the VSC9000 Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) will be to the FBI Academy Campus, Quantico, Virginia, 22135 and shall be ten (10) weeks after the date of the award.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The VSC9000 Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) is manufactured by and only available from Foster and Freeman. The technical specifications of this instrument:

• Maximum field of view: 285 x 215mm plus secondary camera field of view 310 x 232mm to image Letter-sized documents without image-stitching.

• Up to 480X magnification on 32” 4K monitor.

• Software controlled motorized XY stage with step movement down to 10μm and total travel of 60mm x 45mm.

• Integrated microspectrometer allowing measurements 400 to 1000nm with a resolution of 2nm and approx. 39μm diameter sampling point.

• MIC toolbox to assist in visualizing MIC/CPS codes.

• AI assisted MRZ recognition.

• New patented Coaxial Illumination Array (Patent GB2602793A) with on-axis contrast improvement and off-axis visualization of sub-surface features.

• 3D-imaging of document surface using white or infrared illumination.

• Self-diagnostics and optional VSC Calibrator incorporating NIST-traceable filter and NIST-traceable white reference.

• Integration with Keesing reference document databases

• Optional Officially licensed decoding capability for IPI security features. (Under license from the patent holders, Graphic Security Systems Corporation.)

The FBI currently has a VSC8000 Video Spectral Comparator that was manufactured by and purchased from Foster and Freeman USA, Inc. on July 24th, 2018, via Purchase Order (PO) Number 15F06718P0005588.

April 2024, a water leak in the ceiling above the VSC8000 resulted in this instrument being exposed to a large amount of hot water. Some system components were ruined because of the water intrusion, while other components are operational but have started to rust. Without a replacement, the Chemistry Unit (CU) will experience delays in completing casework and may not be able to perform all needed forensic examinations. The CU requires the VSC9000 for use in casework, including the analysis of paints, polymers, writing ink, and general chemistry evidence.

The acquisition of the VSC9000 Instrument will include the following lines:

• VSC9000 PRO with Monitor and Spectrometer

• Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

• Leica Microsystems Expert Stereo Microscope

• External Basler Camera for the External Microscope

• On-site Installation and Training Services

• Shipping and Handling Charges to Quantico, VA, 22135

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

5. Demonstrate the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

The FBI purchased the VSC8000 Video Spectral Comparator in 2018. The VSC8000 was recently damaged by a water leak in the Chemistry Unit’s (CU) laboratory space. The sole-source acquisition of the VSC9000 instrument is supported by the following reasons:

The FBI’s CU Examiners are already trained, experienced users of VSC instruments, minimizing training requirements. By minimizing the time needed for training, testing, and validation of this instrument, the CU will be able to focus on using the new VSC9000 instrument for casework and complete outstanding casework quicker.

To ensure long-term support, unlimited free technical support is available by phone or email and free software updates for as long as the FBI owns the VSC9000 Instrument.

Foster and Freeman USA, Inc. has no less than ten (10) technical full-time employees based in the USA to provide on-site training and technical support.

Foster and Freeman USA, Inc. is offering a fifteen (15) percent discount on the VSC9000 with the trade-in of the damaged VSC8000 instrument.

A few of the main improvements from the VSC8000 to the VSC9000 include:

• A dual camera system instead of a single camera allows live imaging of a Letter/A4-sized document.

• Camera resolution increases from 5MP to 12MP.

• Field of view increases from 209 x 167mm to 310 x 232mm.

• Max magnification increases from 175X to 480X.

• Microspectrometer resolution improves from 4nm to 2nm.

• Improved 3D-imaging.

• New software features such as MIC Toolbox and AI assisted MRZ capture.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

The FBI will publicize the notice of intent to award a sole-source contract on the SAM.gov website. This announcement will give an opportunity for other vendors to demonstrate their ability to meet the FBI’s specific needs through a submission of technical capabilities and cost information.

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Before awarding a contract, the Contracting Officer will perform a determination of price reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results.

Market research was done by examining pertinent specifications and capabilities from vendor web sites, reviewing catalogs, multiple phone calls to potential vendors, and other available product literature published by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers. Market research revealed that Foster and Freeman USA, Inc. is the only manufacturer and reseller of the VSC9000 Video Spectral Comparator.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%205_2.html#wp1107980 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%205_2.html#wp1107990

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

See section 5 above.

10. A listing of any sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

A synopsis will be posted on the SAM.gov website. This synopsis will give an opportunity for other vendors to demonstrate their ability to meet the FBI’s specific needs through a submission of technical capabilities and cost information.

11. A statement of any actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

The FBI will continue to conduct market surveys and research available through industry shows and technology releases in the form of papers and journals on subsequent acquisitions.

Reviews and Approvals (not exceeding $750,000.00)

Requestor:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

Date Management and Program Analyst Chemistry Unit Quantico, Virginia

Contracting Officer:

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

Bryan Lane Date National Acquisition and Programs Unit Quantico, Virginia bvlane@fbi.gov mailto:bvlane@fbi.gov