A02_-_Redacted_Simplified_Acquisition_Sole_Source_Justification_(FAR_13.5).docx

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Programs/Equipment: One (1) Optomec Brand Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) Printer System

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements (Brand Name).

Amount: [REACTED]

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Program Manager:

[REACTED]

Control No: JA-19-Adel-429 Supply/Service: One (1) Optomec Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer system

FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Center

2. Description of Action: The [REACTED] requests a firm fixed price (FFP) purchase order to be issued with either the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Optomec, Inc., located at 3911 Singer N.E. Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109, or with their authorized third-party reseller, Phillips Corporation, located at 7390 Coca Cola Dr. Suite 200, Hanover, MD, 21076. The Government projects award for August 2019 using fiscal year 2019 Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding.

_X_ An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement either does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i), or is an R&D acquisition and does not meet the definition of services in 10 U.S.C. 2330(c)(2).

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The [REACTED] at the Army Research Lab (ARL) requires the procurement of one (1) Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer system. This required 3-D printer system will support ongoing research efforts with the goal of developing a process to print an electronic circuit on three dimensional (3-D) surfaces conformably. The required brand name is Optomec who is manufacturer of the Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer system which shall include the following:

1) One (1) Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer system

2) A three (3) year warranty including on site Preventive Maintenance (PM), machine updates, and remote assistance

3) Delivery 20 weeks after contract award (ACA)

4. Authority Cited:

41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements (Brand-name).

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

The Government requires the following specifications:

1) The requested printer system must able to print aerosol of nano-particulates of metal, ceramic, and plastic onto three-dimensional (3-D) surfaces conformably. The Government requires this printing capability to print antenna and radio frequency circuits onto helmets and radome. Without this capability, the Government will not able to achieve the goal of this research initiative of embedding the state-of-the art telecommunication devices into military defense equipment.

2) The required 3-D aerosol printing system must be capable of printing 0.020 millimeter (20 microns) conducting traces of silver, gold, and copper. The Government needs this high accuracy level for printing complex circuitry for gravitational loading and high-impact applications. Without this capability, the printed device will be useless for defense applications where there is a requirement for high acceleration.

3) The required 3-D aerosol printing system must able to accept a trunnion that holds work pieces for printing conformally. With the trunnion in place, the system must able to accommodate a 3-D printing volume of at least 20 centimeters x 20 centimeters x 20 centimeters. The Government needs to place helmet and radome into the chamber for conformal printing, and without this printing volume the helmets and randome will not fit in the printing chamber. Without this capability, the Government would not able to print electrical devices onto defense equipment.

During market research, the Government identified three (3) companies, Ceradrop, MGI Group, and Integrated Deposition Solutions, Inc., that manufacture 3-D aerosol printer systems. The systems manufactured by each of these three (3) companies can meet both the Government’s first and second critical specifications of 1) being able to print nano-particulates of metal, ceramic, and plastic onto three-dimensional (3-D) surfaces conformably and 2) being capable of printing aerosol of nano-particulates of metal, ceramic, and plastic with 20 microns resolution trace lines. However, none of the 3-D aerosol printer systems from the three (3) contractors mentioned above are able to meet the Government’s third critical requirement of accepting a trunnion that holds work pieces for printing conformally, and with the trunnion in place, accommodating a 3-D printing volume of at least 20 centimeters x 20 centimeters x 20 centimeters. As stated above, if this third critical specification is not met, the Government’s ability to embed the state-of-the art telecommunication devices into defense equipment, specifically helmets and radome will be inhibited.

Due to the aforementioned, only the Optomec Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer system can fulfill the Government’s aforementioned requirements. In addition to the manufacturer, Optomec, Inc., the Government’s technical market research identified Phillips Corporation as the only known authorized reseller. As a result, it is recommended that this procurement be solicited as a brand name sole source.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research identified only one (1) manufacturer, Optomec, Inc., located at 3911 Singer N.E. Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109, who can provide a 3-D aerosol printer with the necessary specifications (see section 5). However, there is one (1) authorized third-party reseller, Phillips Corporation, located at 7390 Coca Cola Dr. Suite 200, Hanover, MD, 21076, also provides this system, so this procurement will be procured as a brand name sole source.

In order to confirm the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC)’s market research results that only Optomec, Inc. manufactures a system that can meet the required specifications, a sources sought was posted to FBO on 21 May 2019 with a detailed list of the Government’s minimum requirements. This sources sought was open until 5 June 2019 with Optomec, Inc. being the only contractor to respond to the Government’s sources sought notice. This confirmed the Government’s market research conclusion that Optomec, Inc. was the only manufacturer with a 3-D aerosol printer that can meet the Government’s minimum requirements. In addition, with Phillips Corporation being an authorized reseller of Optomec brand equipment the Government can extend its efforts to obtain competition for this procurement with a combined solicitation posted to FBO. This will allow for competition amongst the two (2) qualified vendors, Optomec, Inc. and Phillips Corporation who both sell the same brand name product.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to perform market research to locate other sources that can provide a 3-D aerosol printer meeting the necessary specifications. The Government will also continue to explore related technology efforts throughout the field as research in 3-D aerosol printers continues. Actions taken to increase competition for future acquisitions of similar 3-D aerosol printers by the Government will include but not be limited to drafting of detailed requirements for the proposed acquisitions, conducting comprehensive market research to identify potential offerors, and when applicable, attending vendor equipment demonstrations at technical seminars and trade shows. Before future acquisitions, the market will be continually surveyed to determine whether another manufacturer has emerged that could meet the Army requirements, thus justifying the need for full and open competition. If the Government becomes aware of other sources with the capability to meet Government requirements, then a determination will be made for suitable competition. If and when another source is discovered, the Government will technically evaluate the response against current systems, and if the new source is deemed acceptable, then the Government will seek a competitive action. Before all future acquisitions, the market will be surveyed to determine whether another source has emerged that can meet requirements. If the Government becomes aware of other sources with the ability to meet the requirements, then it plans to actively seek competition.

8. Market Research: Market research was conducted between 10 April 2019 through 5 June 2019 by [REACTED] Army Research Laboratory, with 13 years experience. Market research techniques included searching General Services Administration (GSA) schedules, contacting knowledgeable subject matter experts, including [REACTED], reviewing publications/journals, and conducting internet searches. During market research efforts, three (3) other companies, Ceradrop, MGI Group, and Integrated Deposition Solutions, Inc., were found to supply 3-D aerosol printers. However, it was found that none of these companies’ 3-D aerosol printers could meet the Government’s minimum requirements. Therefore, Optomec, Inc. is the only responsible source that can meet the Government’s minimum requirements. Notably, Phillips Corporation is an authorized Optomec, Inc. third-party reseller. Therefore, this procurement will be solicited as a brand name sole source.

9. Interested Sources: A Sources Sought Synopsis was posted to FBO.Gov on 21 May 2019 and closed on 5 June 2019. No responses other than Optomec, Inc.’s were received as a result of this posting, thus confirming the proposed acquisition strategy. A combination solicitation/synopsis will be posted to FBO.gov to allow competition among all authorized sources capable of providing the Optomec Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer system. The notices required by FAR 5.201 shall be published and all bids or proposals shall be considered.

10. Other Facts: This is a new requirement, and there is no procurement history since this is a first time buy.

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.

Signer’s Title: Materials Engineer

[REACTED]

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.

Signer’s Title: Acting Chief [REACTED]

[REACTED]

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

This determination will be made using the following:

__ Cost analysis __ Price analysis __ Should-cost

__ IGE

__ Audit:

_X_ Other: Adequate price competition is anticipated between authorized re-sellers

As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data:

__ will be required.

_X_ will not be required and the following exception applies (FAR 15.403):

_X_ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on adequate price competition.

__ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on prices set by law or regulation.

_X_ A commercial item is being acquired.

__ A waiver has been granted by the head of the contracting activity (HCA) in accordance with DFARS PGI 215.403-1.

__ The contract action is a modification to a contract or subcontract for commercial item(s).

__ The estimated cost of the contract action is less than the threshold for certified cost or pricing data.

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of one (1) Optomec Aerosol Jet Flex three-dimensional (3-D) printer systems, for an estimate of [REACTED] , and for an estimated delivery 20 weeks after contract award on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Contracting Officer:

(End of Justification)

REVIEWS

Contracting Officer:

image2.emf