Matlab-LSJ_W56HZV-15-C-L634redacted.docx

Department of the Army Justification and Approval for Brand Name Only MATLAB (matrix laboratory) Software

1. Contracting Activity: The US Army Contracting Command – Warren, Warren, Michigan 48397-5000 is the procuring activity responsible for this action.

2. Description of Action: This requirement is a firm-fixed-priced contract award for maintenance and updates for software currently being used by TARDEC. The type of funds is FY15 2040 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: TARDEC has a requirement for Software Maintenance for the proprietary software MATLAB and some of its software toolboxes, for three areas in Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). The total number of licenses for which maintenance is to be purchased is 161, which are composed of various titles in the MATLAB software suite. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. TARDEC requires MATLAB software for its analysts to support ground vehicle related studies.

The estimated total purchase price is $173,173.00

4. Authority Cited: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is: 10 U.S.C. 2304 and 41 U.S.C. 253, as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), “Soliciting from a Single Source- For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold” to include brand name.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Developed by MathWorks, MATLAB (matrix laboratory) allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms. MATLAB, and its toolboxes, comprises a numerical computing and programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. TARDEC provides the MATLAB suite of software for its analysts to use in support of ground vehicle related studies. Of similar softwares on the market, MATLAB is the most general purpose that also covers specific areas applicable to ground vehicle mobility analysis issues. It has been used for 20 years within TARDEC and the last 10 years as the enterprise general purpose solution in this analysis space. To convert all the existing models for the vehicle systems and their sub-components, rerun the analyses, and verify, validate, and accredit the resulting output via a new software would cost in the low $1M to perform. This is much above any breakeven threshold that would allow TARDEC to entertain any switch to another software code as long at MATLAB still provides the technical tools and results needed.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: There are several resellers of MATLAB and competition is expected from among these resellers.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: TARDEC would be open to consider other brands in the future if it was economically viable with a proven return on investment, or if technological reasons dictate another brand is required for general purpose solving of military ground vehicle related issues. TARDEC will continue to monitor the market for possible options.

8. Market Research: Market Research was conducted Sept. 2015 through GSA RFI. Results concluded that the software maintenance service subscriptions cannot be purchased separately through GSA. Additional internet market research and contact with Mathworks, the manufacturer of MATLAB resulted in the identification of at least eight authorized resellers. The CHESS Statement of Non-availability and results of sources sought are saved in PCF.

9. Interested Sources: Diversified Distributors, Lyme Computer Systems, MathWorks

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history.

1. Matlab products were first purchased by our organization in 1995. As time went on, other TARDEC organizations also purchase their own licenses of Matlab products. Concurrent to this, other similar software products were purchased by TARDEC organizations to solve similar or the exact engineering problems being investigated. In 2000, TARDEC began a review of all mathematical modeling softwares to converge on a standard to be used throughout TARDEC so that models could be used/shared amongst organizations. MATLAB became the standard software, except for where because of particular issues the Matlab suite of software was not the best choice to use, or could not be used. In these cases exceptions were given to purchase other similar software for that specific study. Since 2005, TARDEC began to consolidate all known Matlab licenses into one procurement action so as to save funding, tracking time, procurement submissions, and more efficiently use the licenses as an enterprise resource.

Competitive status: Brand Name Other than Full and open

b. Acquisition data availability. N/A.

c. Unusual and compelling urgency. N/A.

d. Subcontracting competition. N/A.

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.

Typed Name: Date: Roberto Garcia, 9/11/2015 Title: Team Leader, Network Operations Signature: //s// Roberto Garcia

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.

Typed Name: Date: Roberto Garcia, 9/11/2015 Title: Team Leader, Network Operations Signature: //s// Roberto Garciaone

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The Contract Specialist will conduct a Price Analysis IAW FAR 13.106-2. Certified cost or pricing data is not required for this acquisition.

14. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Pursuant to FAR 13.106-1 and FAR 13.5, this certification constitutes my approval of the brand name procurement described above pursuant to the authority cited above subject to availability of funds and provided that the supplies or services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

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