A03_-_DnF_for_OTFOC_under_ 150K_Redacted.pdf

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JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS $150,000 AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT:

Quantity of one (1) KESTREL Digital Real Time 16 Camera system and accessory equipment with shipping FOB: Destination.

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Motion Analysis Corporation 3617 West wind Boulevard Santa Rosa, CA USA 95403 Ph.:

DUNS: 102913647

CAGE: 0BLT5

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: Basic contract:

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION: FAR 13.106-1(b) (1) (i) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The Programs and Plans Office (HRP) within the Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking one (1) motion capture system capable of collecting high speed and high resolution motion data. The equipment will be used to meet the mission of HRED to quantify Soldier performance and the effects of equipment and technology, such as augmentation devices, on performance. Specifically, this equipment will allow for high resolution, high fidelity biomechanical data capture of movements that include walking, running, navigating obstacles, marksmanship, and other similar tasks that a dismounted Soldier might perform.

Only one (1) manufacturer, Motion Analysis Corporation, was identified with the capabilities to meet all of the Government’s minimum specifications. While other motion capture systems provide similar capabilities and capability, the Motion Analysis Kestral system is the only motion capture system on the market that is backwards compatible with our current motion capture system (Raptor E-Optical system by Motion Analysis Corporation) and is designed to capture high resolution data in an outdoor environment.

Compatibility with the current system provides several critical advantages:

First, the current Raptor-E Optical system purchased under contract W911QX-10-P-0489 with a contract value of $158,300.00 and the Kestral system can be integrated with minimal time, equipment and cost. Once delivered, the hardware (e.g. the cameras, the analog-digital board (A-D), cables, and etc.) can be immediately interchanged with the current system. If another system were purchased, the cameras in particular are not interchangeable with the current system even with extensive man-hours and money. The compatibility of the two systems allows for an almost instantaneous doubling of the space in which motion can be captured. The doubling of the space provides more research opportunities and a cost savings for HRED because less personnel time will be needed to orient the motion capture system to capture motions of interest. If a novel system was purchased, an estimated 1000 man hours over at least 3 months would be needed for training, setup, and validation to get the new system to the functionality of the current system.

Second, hardware and proprietary software from other systems are not compatible with the current system. The compatibility of the systems allows for significant saving of down time if any components of either system were to have an issue. The ability to interchange the systems also allows for immediate correction if one camera were to break. If a camera broke, another camera could be swapped in from the current Raptor system and data collection would continue. With a different system, this would not be possible. Also without the ability to interchange cameras if one broke during a research study, the study would have to halt until a new camera could be purchased or repaired which would likely take 6-8 (or more) weeks. This delay would increase the time to completion for a research study which would increase and the time and cost needed to complete the research study.

Third, compatibility provides seamless data processing with both current custom in-house written software and data analysis software. Compatibility with current software and data analysis programs will save hundreds of man-hours by not having to re-write, update, or develop new computer programs and/or learn new software programs. Data collected on the new system can be immediately processed with the same programs currently used on the first day the new system arrives.

Lastly, in addition to compatibility with the current system, the Government intends to use the motion capture system in a multitude of environments including the laboratory, indoor/outdoor facilities such as a covered firing range or outdoor facilities such as an open firing range or an obstacle course. Per the market research, this system provides a critical capability of data collection in many different environments which will allow us to design and collect data in the most operationally relevant scenarios for the research study being conducted. In addition to the Kestral system being designed for multiple lighting scenarios, the system uses a laptop for data collection which provides more portability than a desktop computer. The portability of the system allows HRED to complete research studies outside of the laboratory which therefore allows for more possibilities for research studies to be completed. All of these characteristics combined provide the need to purchase the Kestral system from Motion Analysis Corporation.

6. MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED/EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Market research was conducted by (PhD in Biomedical Engineering with 12 years of biomechanics expertise; Integrated Capability Enhancement Branch, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, ARL) between 5 January and 25 May 2016. Market research included internet searches and direct communication with colleagues from ARL and other government agencies (Special Operations Command, Naval Health Research Center, Natick Soldier RD&E Center). The results from the market research conclude thatthe Kestral system is the only optical motion capture system specifically designed to handle data collections in direct sunlight, overcast lighting and indoor lighting.Nonetheless, ARL will continue to monitor the market for possible new sources which 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.

9/6/2016

X Benjamin Shelton

Contracting Officer (KO) Signed by: SHELTON.BENJAMIN.JOSEPH