A03_-_Redacted_DnF_(LN2_Replacement_Tank).pdf

Template last updated 10/26/2016

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS $150,000 AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: The Government requires the replacement and installation of one (1) cryogenic liquid nitrogen (LN2) tank (Tank 1) at ARL's Zahl Physical Sciences Laboratory (ZPSL) Building.

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Cryo Express 7905-A Airpark Road Gaithersburg, MD 20879 Cage Code: 464R5

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: [redacted]

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION: The statutory authority permitting sole source is 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) “Unusual and Compelling Urgency”

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD) requires the replacement and installation of one (1) cryogenic LN2 tank (Tank 1) at ARL's Zahl Physical Sciences Laboratory (ZPSL) Building. In December 2016, it was determined that there is an internal leak within the current, Government owned 6,500 gallon cryogenic LN2 tank (Tank 1) that supplies LN2 to ARL’s Zahl Physical Sciences Laboratory (ZPSL) Building. Tank 1 currently provides a continuous supply of LN2 to the ZPSL Building through connected piping and also feeds the building’s Gaseous Nitrogen System [redacted] that provides a continuous supply of gaseous nitrogen to the ZPSL. The requirement for one (1) replacement cryogenic LN2 tank also includes the crossover tank connection that supports a triaxle (i.e., vacuum jacketed) connecting line between the two (2) current LN2 tanks suitable for providing uninterrupted flow [redacted] to the 6,500 gallon tank. The requirement for the replacement LN2 tank is necessary for the substantial Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) mission conducted at ARL, as Tank 1 provides the necessary LN2 and Gases [redacted] within the ZPSL Building. As a result of the internal leak, Tank 1 is unable to maintain vacuum and is not insulated, which results in an excessive amount of LN2 boil-off and is incurring substantial costs to the Government, in order to keep the tank filled and avoid disruption of the LN2 supply to the ZPSL building. Additionally, the safety concerns when filling Tank 1 are occurring more frequently due to the large volume of boil-off. Since the inner tank is much warmer than usual, rapid boil-off may occur when the tank starts to fill with new LN2 and may result in an explosion-like expansion.

Failure to procure and replace the aforementioned emergency cryogenic liquid tank would compound physical and harmful risk exposure and result in a significant loss of LN2 product to ARL’s ZPSL Building. Due to the aforementioned, Cryo Express is the only vendor who can meet the Government’s requirement.

6. MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED/EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Market research was conducted in December 2016 by the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) [redacted], the Associate Director within SEDD and [redacted] ZPSL’s Clean Room Manager within SEDD’s Electro-Optics (EO) & Photonics Division, upon discovering the internal leak in Tank 1.

Market research techniques included extensive internet searches for national and global vendors that offer replacement tanks, vacuum lines and components, as well as discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs) within the Government, to include [redacted] the Associate Division Chief within SEDD at ARL and [redacted] a Mechanical Engineer within SEDD’s EO & Photonics Division at ARL, with over 27 years of experience. It was determined that Cryo Express is the only vendor that can supply the replacement LN2 tank that is compatible with the current Government owned Tank 1 and will ensure interoperability with the existing LN2 infrastructure in ARL’s ZPSL Building. As a result of the aforementioned market research, Cryo Express was identified as the sole vendor that can meet the Government’s requirements.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.