Sole_Source_Justification_for_FBO_Posting.pdf

ERDC Control No. 17-0077

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13 Not Exceeding $150K)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC – CERL)

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: OMA Other Funds: 21 x 2040

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $50,000.00.

b. The acquisition will require engineering research services from a firm with experience in additive construction to formulate structural analysis methods for a three-dimensional (3D)-printed Barracks Hut (B-Hut) developed by the Automated Construction of Expeditionary Services (ACES) team.

4. Authority:

Action using Simplified Acquisition Procedures

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: Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures (ACES) is in its last year of a three-year effort to develop a method to construct small structures using additive construction technology and cementitious materials. The goal of this research is to develop and demonstrate enhanced processes, tools and methods to improve productivity, functionality and autonomy of an additively constructed (“printed”) prototype within a pseudo-fielded environment. In the last two years, ERDC-CERL has proven the capability to print structures in place using concrete and rebar for structural support. As we experiment with material properties and test the strengths, we have determined it would be best to consult an outside entity that has done this type of work in the past. Because there is no regulatory code for this type of construction, assumptions were made using comparable building standards and practices. To ensure health and safety of occupants in the printed structures, an independent third-party Subject Matter Expert (SME) is needed to validate this new construction approach.

The only known (based on market survey) firm that has performed structural analyses for additive construction technology structures belongs to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, a firm located in Chicago, Illinois. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP (SOM) was involved in engineering and design support for AMIE 1.0, which is the first and only 3D-printed building in the United States that was designed, tested, and built for public occupancy as a "proof of concept" pavilion in conjunction with a National Laboratory. The project was funded by the Department of Energy and printed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The project was completed in September 2015 which included public tours of the building. SOM engineered the 3D-printed structure to support public occupancy loading per the International Building Code.

SOM developed a physical testing program of the 3D printed components to confirm their adequacy to support the loading from public tours of the building. SOM also developed an innovative system of post-tensioning tendons and slide bearings designed to relieve the 3D printed building from self-stressing due to thermal loading in service. Lastly, SOM engineered the steel chassis system which allows AMIE 1.0 to be transported to multiple sites, as well as the foundation systems that were utilized at Oak Ridge. SOM is the only engineering firm in the United States which has completed this type of project. The success of AMIE 1.0 was due in part to SOM's culture of research and innovation. SOM has many ongoing research efforts aimed at advancing building technologies in addition to 3D printing. These activities include geometric and structural form optimization, advanced building materials, energy efficient systems, wind tunnel testing, and destructive structural testing.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: A notice of intent to sole source was posted to FedBizOpps from January 11, 2017-January 26, 2017 and no responses were received.

7. Market Research:

Market Research Form is attached. Sources reviewed included: https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/ and the Internet. Results obtained included the following: Based on market research within the above mentioned sources, SOM is the only known firm in the United States that has performed structural analyses for large-scale 3D-printed structures using additive construction technology.

Due to the lack of regulatory code and uncertainty of construction approach performance, the FAR Part 35 Research and Development Contracting is applicable to this effort.

Market research was conducted between June and December of 2016. The market research was conducted by Justine Yu, Megan Kreiger, and William T. Brown, III of ERDC-CERL.

8. Procurement History:

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

Purchase order or contract number:_____________ Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:______________________________________________________________________

9. Additional information to support the justification: None.

10. 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: James P. Miller Position Title: Acting Branch Chief Email Address: james.p.miller@usace.army.mil Signature:

Date: January 27, 2017

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.

Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. 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:________________________________ Typed Name:

Title:

Date:

THOMAS.ANDREA.

JEAN.1087328860

Digitally signed by

THOMAS.ANDREA.JEAN.1087328860

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=THOMAS.ANDREA.JEAN.1087328860 Date: 2017.01.30 11:14:43 -06'00'