JA 24-004 - ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer - redacted.pdf

Control No: 24-004 Contractor: ExOne Operating LLC

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FOR JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Supply/Service: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1901

Prepared by: Lynn D. Baker DSN: 793-5885 Contract Specialist Email: lynn.d.baker8.civ@army.mil

Contracting Officer: David D. DeAnda DSN: 793-8753 Contracting Officer Email: david.d.deanda2.civ@army.mil

Technical:

Requirements:

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Legal Advisor:

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

Department of Army Justification and Approval for Other than

Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI) Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299-8000.

2. Description of Action: Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) requests a firm-fixed-price contract with ExOne Operating LLC for one ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer. ACC-RI projects award for

RIA-JMTC customer Production Base Support Funds. An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 207.103(d)(i)(B).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: This requirement is for one ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer, to include installation and training. The ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer is a commercially available 3D printing machine that prints sand molds as part of the foundry metal casting process using sand and Furan resin, a chemical element used as a binding agent for the print media. Dimensionally the machine is 34 feet (ft) long,

11.5 ft wide, and 8.5 ft high. The printing occurs in thin layers with each layer being cured as the mold is built up. Once a mold has been printed, molten metal can be poured into the printed mold forming a cast object. This is more accurate than the previous "box" process for building sand molds, which was more complicated, time consuming, and had significant opportunities for errors. The ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer supports the modernization of the RIA-JMTC foundry, which is a critical component of the Army's Organic Industrial Base (OIB). The Army's plan is to modernize facilities, processes, and the workforce across the OIB. The RIA-JMTC supports a wide range of requirements throughout the 01 B and is looked to by its mission partners to be agile and execute quickly.

The following salient characteristics are required by RIA-JMTC for a high-performance sand printer.

a. Build rate: Up to 125 inches/hour, which is the fastest printing rate for this size of sand printer. RIA-JMTC requires this speed for lower production costs to be more competitive and increase the production capability for future orders.

b. Job box dimensions: 1,800 mm x 1,000 mm x 700 mm, which is the largest job box for this size of sand printer. This size will allow RIA-JMTC the ability to produce larger parts, which will increase its capacity for future orders.

c. Binder system: Furan. RIA-JMTC already has a Furan binding machine with the capacity to support an additional printer.

d. Layer height: 0.2mm to 0.5 mm. RIA-JMTC requires this feature to produce high quality molds. The thinner the layer, the more intricate of a mold can be

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

produced, giving RIA-JMTC an advantage when competing for future orders.

e. Dimensional accuracy: +/- 0.5 mm. RIA-JTMC requires this specification to produce high quality and more intricate molds.

f. Print media: RIA-JMTC requires a system using natural and synthetic sands which aligns with the current sand printer in production at RIA-JMTC. Utilizing current equipment will reduce investment costs and lower production costs as described in paragraph 5.

g. Right and left side de-sanding stations. This feature allows for increase production and more capability for future orders.

RIA-JMTC estimates a dollar value of , based on the market research information gathered by the JMTC technical team referenced in paragraph 8. The proposed contract will not include an option provision.

4. Authority Cited: 41. U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.501 (a)(1 )(ii), Sole source under the simplified procedures for certain commercial items.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: As described in FAR 13.501 (a)(1 )(i), the Contracting Officer may conduct sole source acquisitions only if the need to do so is justified in writing and approved at the levels specified in FAR 13.501 (a)(2).

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

Purchasing another ExOne printer will allow RIA-JMTC to share spare parts between machines (new and old), reduce new purchase costs by utilizing the current Furan Fluidmatic support system, provide needed upgrades to the older printer, and provide support to RIA-JMTC to move and reinstall both printers (new and old). Two ExOne printers will reduce casting costs (machining molds are five times the cost of printing molds), reduce the time to develop new castings and begin production (sand printing molds only take a matter of days while machining takes weeks), improve accuracy and consistency (the sand printing process allows for accurate quick changes, where a machined mold doesn't), and support other Department of Defense requirements with quicker response and better readiness.

The seamless integration of an additional ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer with the existing ExOne capability will allow RIA-JMTC to meet mission requirements that support the Army's modernization priorities and signature systems such as the M35 Heavy Equipment Transporter Urban Survivability Kit and the M915 Transparent Armor Kits.

Additionally, RIA-JMTC foundry utilizes the Ex One printer to produce various items such as small arms parts, Howitzer parts, and protective panels for military vehicles that ultimately affect the safety of the warfighter.

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: ACC-RI shall publish the notices required by FAR

5.201. Because this is a sole source action, effective competition is not applicable.

Since this printer is a commercial item, it is unknown if opportunities for competition in subcontracting are available.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Because the ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer is a commercial off the shelf item, the Government anticipates taking no specific action to increase competition.

8. Market Research: Market Research was performed by the RIA-JMTC technical team from January 2023 through April 2023. The team reviewed catalogs and magazines such as Additive Manufacturing Magazine, attended trade shows including RAPID + Time Compression Technologies 2023 and Additive Manufacturing Users Group 2023, where 3D sand printing vendors were in attendance. The trade shows identified -with similar sand printers, . The technical team conducted internet searches of the websites comparing their printer characteristics such as job box size and printing rate to the ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer.

RIA-JMTC requires a higher speed rate and a more accurate, larger build capacity to lower production costs, increase efficiency by completing projects quicker, and to allow for increased capacity for future orders.

The RIA-JMTC technical team received a market research quote from ExOne in April 2023 for the ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer in the amount of as well as a quote for the maintenance service agreement on both printers in the amount of

- The team also requested a market research quote from Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Supply Core since the current ExOne sand printer was purchased through DLA. DLA's quote for an ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer i

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

In accordance with DFARS 205.205-71, DFARS 206.302-1 (d), and DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information 206.302-1 (d), ACC-RI posted a sources sought on September 13, 2023, on SAM.gov, which outlined the salient characteristics required in a sand printer, to identify contractors interested and capable of providing a sand printer.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have expressed a written interest in this requirement.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History - The current ExOne machine was purchased through DLA.

Contract: Unknown Contractor: Supply Core (DLA) Award Date: Unknown, however received at RIA and accepted on 07 August 2020 Competitive Status: Unknown as through DLA

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

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

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

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for th is contract action will be fair and reasonable.

Prices will be determined fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b) and the Contracting Officer will utilize price analysis techniques such as (but not limited to):

comparison of proposed prices with the independent Government estimate and with prices obtained through market research for the same or similar items. Certified cost or pricing data is not required as the exception at FAR 15.403-Hb)(3) aoplies.

DEANDA.DAVlb. D1gitally&ign~y

Date: -------- D.1140196823 g:'.'f~f~~~~.1~".'~~-

David D. DeAnda Contracting Officer

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DEANDA.DAVID. Digitally signed by

Date: --------

D.1140196823 =~~f~::~;,!:~~~~o-

David D. DeAnda Contracting Officer

Supply: ExOne S-Max Pro Sand Mold Printer Est Dollar Value:

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of one ExOne S Max Pro Sand Printer on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Date:

t.P a • OD L l)jglt&lly9'gnedby 1):t.e.llu' ~ .

, t ; HELPS.RACHEL.M.125831986

Date: 2023.12.18 15:59:48 -06'00' Signature: __________ _

RACHEL M. PHELPS

Competition Advocate