A 02 MFR for Brand Name FAR Part 12.102(a).pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

UNITED STATES ARMY CONTRACTING COMMAND – ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND

6515 INTEGRITY COURT, BUILDING 4310

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21005-3013

Limited Sources Justification

Program/Equipment: Aberdeen Test Center’s Range Sustainment Branch procurement of a Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Remote Operations Kit for a CAT 299D3 Skid Steer Loader with Forestry Mulcher.

Authority: Sole Source for Brand Name threshold procedures: FAR 6.103-1; 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) using Simplified Procedures at FAR 12.102(a); 41 U.S.C. 1901

Estimate Price: ~$50,000.00 (Total Firm-Fixed-Price)

Technical, Requirements, and Contracting Officer Details

Prepared by:

Noah Lane Contract Specialist, ACC-APG Phone: (410) 278-5603 E-mail: noah.r.lane.civ@army.mil Date: 29 July 2026

Contracting Officer:

Karen Gibson Contracting Officer, ACC-APG Phone: (520) 671-3848 E-mail: karen.gibson2.civ@army.mil Date: 29 July 2026

Requirements Representative:

Ben Gallardy Chief, Range Control Branch Phone: (410) 278-5603 E-mail: benjamin.c.gallardy.civ@army.mil Date: 29 July 2026 mailto:karen.gibson2.civ@army.mil

Sole Source for Brand Name FAR 12.102(a)

1. Requiring Activity US Army Aberdeen Test Center (ATC), Range Control Branch, 6850 Lanyard Rd., Bldg.

358, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD 21005-5059.

2. Contracting Activity Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground Division D, 6515 Integrity Court, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005.

3. Description of Action A new, Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract to be awarded competitively after exclusion of sources, for the procurement and installation of a brand-name Caterpillar Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) Remote Operations Kit for a CAT 299D3 Skid Steer Loader.

4. Description of Supplies/Services The requirement is to procure and install one (1) “commercial-off-the-shelf” brand-name Caterpillar NLOS remote operations kit. This kit will convert an existing Government-owned manually operated CAT 299D3 Skid Steer Loader with Forestry Mulcher into an unmanned, remotely operated platform at the Aberdeen Test Center. The hardware and software components of the upgrade kit are detailed below:

Item/Kit Description Qty

Vision Kit (P/N 604-3425) 1

Vision Kit (P/N 617-8508) 1

Wi-Fi Kit (P/N 638-5489) 1

Mobile Mark LTM Dome Antenna (P/N 615-7741) 1

CISCO IW3702 CPU 1

Axiomatic Power Converter (P/N 603-6623) 1

Installation 1

Training Session 1

The contractor will perform on-site, complete installation of the kit on the Government’s CAT 299D3 vehicle and provide an operator training session for personnel. All components must be covered by a full, one-year (12-month) commercial manufacturer’s warranty.

5. Reason for Authority Cited The Government currently owns a CAT 299D3 skid steer and a matching CAT Command Center console that controls such units. To convert this manual platform (299D3) into a remote unit, the hardware, software, and cameras must interface seamlessly and securely with the proprietary Caterpillar electronics, CAN bus, and control protocols.

• Proprietary Compatibility: No other remote-controlled manufacturer’s equipment is compatible with CAT electronics and Command Center console currently owned by ATC. Caterpillar remote equipment interfaces utilize highly specialized, proprietary machine networks and encrypted safety communication systems.

• Safety and Range Mission: The CAT 299D3 will operate in hazardous range areas contaminated with Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) to safely clear brush. Using mismatched, non-OEM components risks communication drops or command failures that present high safety risks.

• Economic Impact: Purchasing an alternative system would require completely replacing the CAT 299D3 Skid Steer Loader and the remote station, representing a substantial duplication of cost (exceeding $100,000) that would not be recovered through subsequent competition, as well as causing severe scheduling delays.

6. Alternatives

• Alternative 1 (Suspension of support / Do nothing): Failing to upgrade the system prevents unmanned operations in UXO-contaminated areas, which directly compromises operator safety during brush clearing.

• Alternative 2 (Alternative Manufacturer Remote Kit): This is technically impossible without replacing the entire base vehicle platform and remote station due to the proprietary nature of the CAT command bus.

7. Impact if not approved If this brand-name justification is not approved, the Aberdeen Test Center Range Sustainment Branch will be unable to operate the forestry mulcher remotely, resulting in either a complete halt to crucial UXO-contaminated range clearance projects or requiring operators to enter high-risk zones, violating Army safety standards.

Approval:

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the brand-name procurement of the CAT 299D3 NLOS Remote Operations Upgrade Kit under on a limited sources basis pursuant to the authority of Title 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented in FAR 6.103-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The estimated value of the new contract action is ~$50,000.00 with an expected delivery date of 30 September 2026. This approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies and/or services herein described have otherwise been authorized for this acquisition.

Approval Authority:

_______________ Date: _____________

Karen Gibson Contracting Officer, Division D, Branch A

8-5-2026