A02.14 Sole Source Justification_REDACTED FINAL.pdf

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ERDC Control No: 23-2771

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SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13 Not Exceeding $250K)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center � Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC � CHL)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement

Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: 96*3123 Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) Coastal Observations and Analysis Branch (COAB) has a need to upgrade two motors on the autonomous ground crawler used for bathymetric and various oceanographic data collection in order to increase crawler power to accommodate more ballast for reducing slipping and improving survey accuracy. In addition, ERDC seeks and option to acquire a forward-looking sonar to enable obstacle avoidance and benthic mapping.

b. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is

4. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Two Motor upgrades (70:1 gear ratio) are required for the ERDC-CHL amphibious uncrewed ground vehicle (AUGV) to increase power for surfzone operation. The increased power to the motors allows more ballast to improve stability of the platform in breaking waves, improving data quality collected on the platform. Additionally, this allows increased tolerance and ability to operate in large wave conditions. The AUGV was made by C2Innovations. In 2022 Bayonet Ocean Vehicles (BOV) acquired rights to the AUGV product line and is the only source capable of providing these custom upgrades since motors and sonar need to be pre-configured for the existing vehicle, a bespoke model, which didn�t include newer engineering designs focused on reducing complexity and increasing capability. BOV both has the only system COTS as well as prior knowledge of existing system owned by ERDC, ensuring all components operate properly together between previous iterations and existing COTS production version.

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6. Actions to Increase Competition: Based on information provided above, competition for this action is not feasible. A notice of intent to sole source was placed on the SAM website on 17 May 2023 in accordance with FAR Part 5.2. No responses were received by the 24 May 2023 closing date. Future requirements will be evaluated for competition and procured in a manner befitting the circumstances.

7. Market Research: The ERDC-CHL AUGV is a limited production from Greensea (merged with Bayonet Vehicles), with a serial number of approximately 0002. BOV, having acquired the AUGV product line in 2022, is the only company capable of making a custom, pre-configured motor upgrade and adding forward-looking sonar that is compatible with existing hardware and software. Based on internet searches and communication with subject matter experts, the components are not available through other vendors and no other company has the capability to properly assemble and install the crawler motors and sonar to the existing AUGV owned by ERDC. Acquiring a new crawler system from another company or a new production system produced by BOV is not fiscally responsible or possible within the project scope, with estimated costs greater than $400,000 with other slightly similar systems also validating that level of costs.

8. NAICS Determination: 334511 � Search, Detection, Navigation Guidance, Aeronautical and Nautical System Instrument Manufacturing

9. Procurement History:

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

10. Commercial Item Determination: IAW FAR 10.002(b)(1)(i), the results of the market research have demonstrated that the Government's needs can be met by items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace that would meet the definition of a commercial item at FAR 2.1, to include commercial items with customary or minor modifications, or non-developmental items. Therefore, IAW FAR 10.002(d)(1), the contracting officer shall solicit and award any resultant contract using the policies and procedures in FAR Part 12.

11. Additional information to support the justification: N/A

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

Submitted By:

Position Title:

Email Address:

Signature:

13. 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.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

Contacting Officer

14. 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.

Contacting Officer