Redacted_OTFOC.pdf

Template last updated 8/2/2017

BRAND NAME

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS $150,000 AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: Purchase of one FAVIMAT automated single fiber tension tester to be delivered on approximately March 31, 2018.

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Textechno (Manufacturer) (U.S. Reseller) Measured Solutions INC 103 Pilgrim Road Greenville, SC 29607-5702

CAGE: 3ZAP2

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: $120,000.00

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):

__X_ Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

___ Unusual and Compelling Urgency ___ Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert

Services ___ International Agreement ___ Authorized or Required by Statute ___ National Security ___ Public Interest

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The item(s) listed in section one above is available from only one source and competition is precluded for reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

___ Compatibility: The item(s) must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. Describe the equipment you have now and how the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system:

___ Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

__X_ Experimental Continuity: The item(s) must be consistent with prior materials in order to ensure experimental continuity. Describe the conditions that necessitate the use of experimental continuity:

ARL owns a significant amount of data that was obtained on a Favimat system by REDACTED who was working on a government funded project. The government must be able to access these data in order to continue research. This data cannot be directly analyzed or processed or reviewed on any competitor’s system. Therefore, a brand name sole source of a Favimat system by Textechno is required.

___ Warranty: Purchasing item(s) from another manufacturer/provider would void existing warranty. Provide a brief explanation for the use of this reason and the impact that would occur if the item was purchased from another manufacturer/provider:

___ Direct Replacement: These are “direct replacement” parts/components for existing equipment and no substitutes exist.

_X__ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy: Single fiber tension testers are used to determine the physical properties of single fibers like modulus and tensile strength. These properties can only be properly measured when an independent measurement of the diameter of the fiber under test is also conducted simultaneously. If the diameter (or linear density for cylindrical fibers) is not measured, then the modulus and tensile strength will not be correct or will be based on an assumed diameter (or linear density). Based on market research, only Textechno and no other company sells a single fiber tester that will meet the government requirements because they are not capable of measuring linear density on the same fiber tested in tension. Therefore, other tensile testing machines will provide data that do not meet the precision and accuracy required by the government. Textechno only listed Measured Solutions, Inc. as an authorized U.S. reseller of their brand of items and are the only U.S distributor that is certified to install their items in the U.S. Therefore, a brand name sole source is required.

6. 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.