Brand_Name_Justification-VISLINK2_Redacted.pdf

JA-Ten-17-517

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

(Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13 Not Exceeding 650K)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Aberdeen Test Center (ATC)

2. Description of Action:

Nature: X New Requirement Follow-on Requirement

Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: X Firm-Fixed Price Time & Materials Cost

Funds: Operations and Maintenance, Army (OMA) X Other Funds:

Fiscal Year of Funds: 2017

Name of Proposed Contractor(s):

3. Description of Services or Supplies: Request Brand Name VISLINK high definition video telemetry systems with the following Part Numbers: P/N’s 9014061, 9004927, L9564, L9565.

The specific items designated by the part numbers are required because they are the necessary components of the systems. The high definition (HD) video telemetry systems will be used for transmission of HD video signals from direct fire test vehicles, critical to the safety of the test and for engineering evaluations of the fire control systems.

4. Authority: (Identify the statutory authority, FAR title and FAR citation permitting other than full and open competition. It may be one of the following, but other exceptions may be used.)

Action using simplified acquisition procedures (select one):

X 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. Reasons for Authority Cited: VISLINK is the sole manufacturer of this specific HD video telemetry system and is the sole source for their proprietary system. However, VISLINK has authorized re-sellers across the Continental United States. The Government owns existing

VISLINK high definition telemetry systems, operated by Aberdeen Test Center that satisfies all of the unique direct fire testing demands. These high definition video telemetry systems are required to fully support upcoming tests such as STRYKER 30mm and ACV, and to facilitate the government migration of its’ telemetry operations out of upper L band due to the outcome of AWS-3. Test fixtures and electrical harnesses are now in place that are specifically designed for the VISLINK units.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The Aberdeen Test Center continues to reach out to vendors of this kind of equipment to see if a viable alternative or substitute is available from another source.

Vendors were contacted through market research efforts and trade show contacts. To date, no viable economically feasible alternative has been found to obtain further competition for this requirement.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Aberdeen Test Center and the Contracting office will continuously conduct market research to see if there are any new products being introduced to the market that can better suit the Army’s needs. If a new product is introduced that can better suit the Army’s need, research will be done to determine if it is cost effective to procure for future efforts.

8. Market Research: Extensive market research indicates that only VISLINK can manufacture the HD video telemetry systems required to the properly interoperate with the existing VISLINK equipment already in use by ATC. Market research conducted via

FedBizOpps and by the ATC office has found that VISLINK systems are the only responsive commercially available systems that meets all of the technical specifications as outlined in the attached.