17-004_JA_for_cRIO_Controllers.pdf

Dugway Proving Ground-2017-1

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

BRAND NAME

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: MICC-DPG

2. Description of Action: Environmental Chamber Controllers

Nature: New Requirement Follow-on Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time & Materials Cost

Funds: OMA Other Funds: RDT&E

3. Description of Supplies: The purchase and installation of National Instruments cRIO Controllers.

The total estimated value of the proposed action is $ 627K over a three-year ordering period as schedule and funding permit.

WDTC has a number of environmental conditioning chambers. Each chamber requires a controller capable of being programed and operated in very low and high temperature conditions. The National Instruments cRIO-9068 controller meets this requirement. Most of the environmental chamber controllers have been changed over to National Instruments cRIO-9068 controller system. Under this contract ten (10) each 300 series environmental chambers would be changed over to the cRIO-9068 controller.

The requiring activity for this procurement is the West Desert Test Center, Dugway Proving Ground.

4. Authority:

Actions other than simplified acquisition procedures (select one):

FAR 6.302-1(c): An acquisition or portion of an acquisition that uses a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer

5. Reasons for Authority Cited:

a. This is a requirement for a National Instruments cRIO-9068 controller system, as a brand name only requirement. The software written to control the chambers was written to run through the cRIO Controllers, if another type of controller is purchased, different programing would be required to run the different type of controller.

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(1) Alternatives: Change out the controllers in the 300 series chambers to a different type of controller other than the cRIO-9068 and then replace the new cRIO-9068 controllers in the 200 series chambers, salt fog, solar radiation, fungus, and vibration chamber in order to standardize the environmental conditioning chamber controllers. Additionally changes to the customized software would be required to facilitate the different controllers. Any substitute that does not utilize National Instruments (NI) cRIO-9068 controllers would duplicate the performance of the current controllers, in addition to the cost of implementation which includes training, programming, learning curve, and validation and verification of the controllers. Schedule delay due to implementation of non-cRIO controllers would take up to four years to re-standardize.

(2) Justification: Having a standard chamber controller like the cRIO-9068 type controller is that it reduces the number of support contracts required for the chamber controllers. It reduces the cost for maintaining different types of controllers and reduces the cost for software upgrades when needed. The cRIO controllers have been installed in other chambers at DPG; in order to maintain uniformity and the integrity of the test data across the different chambers, the Government must use the same controllers and software on all the chambers. It also reduces the cost and time in man-hours for training personnel on one type controller and is able to integrate the chamber controllers with the test data collection system that use the same type of base controller.

Additionally, the Government has not found another controller that is able to perform as well as the cRIO controllers in the rigorous testing environment.

(3) Impact: The replacement of controllers was competed on a previous contract; the cRIO controllers were selected as the best value to the Government and DPG is in the process of switching out the older controllers and replacing them with the cRIO-9068. If this justification is not approved it could cause the Government to accept a different type of controller causing additional cost in training, maintenance, software reconfiguration, and long term logistical problems in supporting the test mission. The total cost impact could exceed $1M in addition to delaying testing requirements to implement a substitute controller. Any delay other than immediate implementation will adversely affect mission readiness.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: Every effort is made at the start of a life cycle replacement for the chamber controllers to provide for competitive action. The customer and subject matter expert reviews other manufactured products at multiple locations and compares other product performance and pricing against National Instruments products. If another product is identified that is in the best interest of the Government, it may be considered for the next life cycle replacement.

7. Market Research: When conducting market research for the controllers for this contract it was found that there are a number suppliers that provide the cRIO-9068 controllers from National Instruments. The market research also showed that the price for the cRIO-9068 had a wide range dependent on the supplier and the number of units being procured. The National Instruments cRIO-9068 controller is not a limited item and is well supported.

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Order(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Purchase order or contract number: W911S6-13-P-0077 Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale, and describe the actions that were supposed to be taken to increase competition and the results thereof.

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9. Additional Information to support the justification.

Due to the high cost of controllers required for the environmental chambers and the number of chambers that WDTC has, only a step by step procurement of controllers can be done. Once the type of controller has been selected through competition, that same controller will be placed in each of the chambers as the old controllers are phased out. Once the cRIO controllers reach the end of their life cycle, the Government will search for a suitable replacement through a competitive contract.

10. Technical / Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in this abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By: Jeff Garcia Position Title : Division Chief, Test Support Division Email address: jeffrey.p.garcia4.civ@mail.mil

Signature:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As contracting officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on competition among the several vendors capable of providing the required equipment and associated installation.

12. Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and have no Small Business concerns.

Local Small Business Specialist (if value exceeds $150K) Typed Name: Angela R. Arwood

I have reviewed this justification and find it legally sufficient.

Legal Counsel (if value exceeds $150K) Typed Name: Kateni Leakehe

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13. Contracting Officer’s Approval: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

SIGNATURE: DATE:

Paul E. Frailey Contracting Officer US Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah.