A02_-_DnF_for_OTFOC.doc

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: Quantity of ten (10) Ouster OS-1-64 LIDAR Sensors

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Ouster, Inc.

DUNS: 080088182

CAGE Code: 7JJU3 350 Treat Ave San Francisco, California, 94110, United States SAM Expiration Date: 06/24/2020 Small Business Concern

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE:

Base Contract: Ten (10) units at $12,000.00 totaling $120,000.00

Option One (1): Six (6) units at $12,000.00 totaling $72,000.00

Total Contract Value: $192,000.00

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.

_X_ 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:

The Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Computational Information and Sciences Directorate’s (CISD) Intelligent Robotics Branch (FCDD-RLC-IA) requires ten (10) Ouster OS-1-64 High-Performance LiDAR sensors with an option off of the base contract of an additional six (6) units to be executed in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 20. The laser scanning systems will be mounted onto robots and will be used for experimental designs in autonomous robot navigation, mapping, and anomalous object detection/identification. These experimental designs will be used to build maps of operationally relevant environments and enable autonomous mobile robot behaviors to support future warfighters.

In the past, FCDD-RLC-IA has developed their own 3D LiDAR sensory packages. Since then, the branch has purchased 16 beam low resolution (two [2] degrees vertical resolution) Velodyne VLP-16 to enable rudimentary localization and mapping of man-portable robot systems. Unfortunately, this resolution is too low to reliably detect objects of interest, and small disturbances such as those associated with a booby-trap or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack. Other commercially available products such as the Velodyne HDL-64 support the enhanced resolution required of around 0.5 degrees, however, they are much too large to be integrated on a small man-portable ground robot. Since the research thrust of the branch is focused on software development, the branch is required to purchase the hardware needed whenever possible. ARL has previously purchased four (4) of Ouster’s OS-1-64 Lidar and has determined that they meet the requirements identified.

The 3D LiDAR laser scanning systems are required to have a maximum weight of one (1) kilogram (kg) and maximum dimensions of 10 centimeters (cm) x 10 cm x 10 cm in order to be mounted on a small man-portable robot chassis. Specifically, these robots are the Clearpath Jackal robots, procured by the Government under contract W911QX-14-P-0415 for $40,800.00. We have determined through experimentation that the effective beam density on an object of interest should be at least one (1) beam per centimeter in both horizontal and vertical directions at 1 meter distance for identification, and one (1) beam per 10 centimeters horizontal and vertical for detection at 10 meters distance. To observe an object at a range of 1 meter with 1 beam per centimeter vertical requires an angular separation of no more than 0.58 degrees. (Horizontal resolution is much higher on all commercial products; vertical resolution is the limiting factor). At 10 meters the OS-1-64 can still detect objects that are at least 10 centimeters tall, while the VLP-16 will only see objects which are at least 40 centimeters tall. With the enhanced capability of the OS-1-64, FCDD-RLC-IA’s maps will exhibit resolution which enables the observation of these anomalous features, as well as enable autonomous behaviors, to detect and deal with these types of booby-trap and IED devices.

Any weight or size greater than the listed specification would cause the robot platform to be unable to maneuver in operationally relevant environments. Further, given that the sensors will be supplied with power by on-board batteries, both variants must have a maximum power requirement of 20 watts (W); potential LiDAR systems with power requirements in excess of 20 W or which are over the aforementioned weight restrictions would exceed the capacity of the robot’s onboard batteries and voltage converters. The only laser scanning system that meet the Government’s minimum requirements is the Ouster OS-1-64. Procuring any other laser scanning system would require significant re-engineering effort or would result in shorter operation times, which would impact the ability to conduct long-duration autonomy experimentation. Based on previous experience, it is estimated that re-engineering an alternative system would delay research efforts by approximately three (3) months and cost roughly and additional five thousand dollars ($5,000) per unit. Thus, Ouster is the only company that can provide the required laser scanning systems.

Three (3) other companies were identified who offer 3D LiDAR laser scanning systems: Velodyne Lidar, Inc., Riegl USA, Inc., and Ocular Robotics Limited. Riegl USA offers 3D LiDAR laser scanning systems for a variety of applications; however, these are larger-scale installations for vehicle mounting and site surveying. This company’s offerings are developed for operation on a car-sized vehicle and unsuitable for mounting on a man-portable robot chassis. Riegl USA offers the VZ-400 3D LiDAR laser scanning system. The VZ-400 weighs 9.4 kg and therefore does not meet the Government’s requirement of having a maximum weight of one (1) kg. Ocular Robotics manufactures the RE-05 LiDAR scanner, which was purchased by FCDD-RLC-IA in FY15 to use on a larger robot system. The RE-05 sensor is too heavy at four (4) kg to be placed on the small Clearpath Jackal robot chassis and does not meet the Government’s requirements of being less than one (1) kg. As mentioned above, at 330 grams, the Ouster OS-1-64 is the only LiDAR laser scanning system that can meet the Government’s requirements to be placed on the small man-portable robot chassis with the required vertical angular resolution of at least 0.58 degrees. After extensive market research, it is determined that only Ouster, Inc. is capable of meeting the Government’s minimum requirements and is considered a sole source for this procurement.

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

___ 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:

___ 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.

___ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

4. 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.

Template last updated 4/23/2018