Redacted - SoleSource_FAR_Part13.pdf

Sole Source Justification and Approval Under FAR 13.501

1. Contracting Activity: Army Contracting Command – New Jersey

2. Description of Action: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC) requests a new firm-fixed-price purchase order. The Government projects award for September 2022 and fiscal year funds will be used.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: DEVCOM-AC intends to procure (1) Cordin rotating mirror digital high-speed streak camera (HSSC), valued at . Streak cameras are frequently used for detonics experiments. The HSSC enable researchers to investigate the . This HSSC camera will effectively replace the Detonation Physics &

Experimental Research Branch’s (DP&ERB) aging streak camera and a first-generation digital streak camera , both of the rotating-mirror variety. Rotating mirror streak cameras currently offer the best combination of resolution (time/distance) and record length for DP&ERB experiments.

4. Authority Cited: 41 United States Code 1901 as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.501(a)(1)(ii), sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial items.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Cordin Company, Inc. is an industry leader in ultra-high speed streak cameras for scientific research. Cordin Rotating Mirror Streak Cameras are highly specialized instruments that work by relaying a slit image through a rotating mirror to capture a continuous record of one line of image information. This produces the highest temporal and spatial resolution streak image possible. As such, streak cameras are frequently used for detonics experiments, enabling

DoD, DoE, industry, and academic laboratories all utilize Cordin high-speed cameras for detonation physics experiments. Part of DEVCOM-AC’s mission is to

; ensuring the best possible safety and performance for the warfighter. Cordin Rotating Mirror Streak Cameras are used routinely by the DP&ERB to assess

. However, DP&ERB’s equipment is aging with a streak camera and a first-generation digital streak camera . This proposed contract action will purchase a state-of-the-art rotating mirror streak camera that offers improved resolution and effective frame-rate and dozens of “quality of life” changes to reduce the time needed for tasks such as aligning and focusing the camera.

Control Number:

CUI//SP‐PROCURE

(Source Selection Information ‐ See FAR 2.101 and 3.104‐4)

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If a Cordin brand camera is not procured, it would negatively impact numerous projects that are supported by DP&ERB, including

. Streak photography is a critical tool for detonation physics researchers and DP&ERB’s existing streak camera equipment is nearing obsolescence. If a new camera is not procured and the existing equipment fails, work will need to be sent to other DoD and DoE facilities at great cost and schedule risk to the Army.

Streak photography experiments on explosives can range from per trial. Annual work using the streak camera at DP&ERB typically exceeds annually. The few facilities that conduct DP&ERB’s mission work typically have backlogs for , which is an unacceptable schedule slip for Army efforts. Even research laboratories that have streak photography capabilities currently send work to DP&ERB due to schedule flexibility. Obsolescence of DP&ERB cameras would not only cause schedule slips to major efforts and increase costs for potentially modified tests at contractor facilities, but would also

. If the existing streak camera equipment fails, efforts to would be delayed indefinitely due to the challenges in . Other efforts, such as would see the expected delays from DoE test sites such as . This would ultimately impact the Army’s modernization effort and prevent new weapons technology from getting to the warfighter.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The Contracting Officer shall publish the notices required by FAR 5.201 and any bids or proposals received shall be considered.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Competition is not feasible. Cordin Company provided a letter to the Government stated that there are no distributors, agents, or other third parties authorized to sell their products in the USA.

8. Market Research: Market research was performed during the period of March – May 2022 via internet research, querying of government databases (GSA, sam.gov), contacting SMEs at DoD laboratories with similar missions, and issuing a formal sources sought notice.

GSA and sam.gov were queried to see if there were any existing contract vehicles that could be utilized to fulfill this requirement; none were found. The customer performed a google search to find manufacturers and/or resellers of rotating mirror digital high-speed streak cameras. Cordin Company, Inc. was the only manufacturer found that met the requirements of the DP&ERB.

(Source Selection Information ‐ See FAR 2.101 and 3.104‐4)

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The customer contacted SMEs at DoD laboratories with similar missions. U.S. DoD and DoE are major customers for streak cameras;

. There are numerous SMEs at DoD and DoE laboratories that have conducted their own assessment of Cordin products prior to their purchase. DEVCOM AC owns a first-generation rotating mirror digital streak camera .

Additionally, Sources Sought Notice W15QKN-22-X-0NTW was conducted 29 Mar 2022

– 12 Apr 2022 and 3 vendors responded:

Cordin Company offered the rotating mirror digital high-speed streak camera, of which they are the original manufacturer. Per the data sheet provided, the meets all of the above specifications with . Cordin Company also provided a letter to the Government stated that there are no distributors, agents, or other third parties authorized to sell their products in the USA.

An evaluation of the responses received determined that Cordin Company, Inc. is the only brand capable of fulfilling this requirement.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have written to express an interest.

The notices required by FAR 5.201, and any bids or proposals received shall be considered.

10. Other Facts: There are no other facts.

(Source Selection Information ‐ See FAR 2.101 and 3.104‐4)

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11. 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.

Signature: Date:

Typed Name: Title:

12. Requirements 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.

Signature: Date:

Typed Name: Title:

The individual(s) within the organization responsible for acquiring the supplies or services described in the justification (e.g., program manager, depot commander, or senior program engineer) and with specific knowledge of the individual requirement (commodity, technology, and/or function) is required to sign the technical and requirements certifications.

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: Include the following determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on the independent Government estimate. Certified cost or pricing data is not required per FAR 15.403-1 (b)(3).

Signature: Date:

Typed Name: Title:

14. Contracting Officer Certification: This certification shall be made by the contracting officer who will sign the contract resulting from this justification and approval. Include the following statement:

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

Signature: Date:

Typed Name: Title:

(Source Selection Information ‐ See FAR 2.101 and 3.104‐4)

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Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Cordin rotating mirror digital HSSC on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Signature: Date:

Typed Name: Title: