SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- SYNOPSIS-the install and configuration of automated Network Manager 10 (NM10) system
- Notice Date
- 11/15/2017
- Notice Type
- Justification and Approval (J&A)
- NAICS
- 541713
— Research and Development in Nanotechnology
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W911QX) Adelphi, 2800 POWDER MILL RD, ADELPHI, Maryland, 20783-1197, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20783-1197
- Solicitation Number
- W911QX-17-T-0148
- Archive Date
- 12/14/2017
- Point of Contact
- Coleman Dieger, Phone: 5756785450
- E-Mail Address
-
d.c.dieger.civ@mail.mil
(d.c.dieger.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Award Number
- W911QX17P0179
- Award Date
- 9/13/2017
- Description
- JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Supply/Service: Vaisala Observation Network Manager NM10 Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Amount: $559,894.00 Prepared by: [REDACTED] DSN: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Date: 8/01/2017 Email: [REDACTED] Contracting Officer: Mr. Phillip J. Amador DSN: [REDACTED] Contracting Officer Date: 8/03/2017 Email: [REDACTED] Technical: [REDACTED] DSN: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Date: 8/01/2017 Email: [REDACTED] Requirements: [REDACTED] DSN: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Date: 8/02/2017 Email: [REDACTED] Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition. Program Manager: Department of Army FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Sole Source Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition 1. Contracting Activity: Adelphi Contracting Division, Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground (Soldier, Chemical, Research & Test), ACC-APG (SCRT), 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1138 1b. Requiring Agency: The United States (U.S.) Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Computational & Information Sciences Directorate (CISD), Battlefield Environment Division (RDRL-CIE), Atmospheric Modeling Branch (RDRL-CIE-M), 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1138 2. Description of Action: RDRL-CIE-M requests a firm-fixed-price contract with Vaisala, Inc. [REDACTED]. ✓ An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B) and is not a cost reimbursement type contract (FAR 16.301-3(a)(2)). 3. Description of Supplies/Services: Vaisala Observation Network Manager NM10 is an integrated system application for efficient management and automation of weather observation networks. Yearly costs are projected as shown below: Award Period: 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2022 Value: $559,894.00 4. Authority Cited: 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. 5. Reason for Authority Cited: As the premier laboratory for the Nation's land forces, ARL develops atmospheric models and assessment techniques at the meso-gamma to microscale scales. ARL requires reliable and persistent fine-scale observational datasets critical for verification of ARL's modeling scales. Several ARL Technical Assessment Board's (TAB) cited the absence of high spatial resolution meteorological observations as an Army and Department of Defense (DoD) deficiency. High spatial resolution meteorological observations can be used to verify or validate meso-gamma and microscale meteorological models which is required for ARL's research. The reliability of these models is of critical importance, as the models will be used in a wide variety of applications that will enhance the effectiveness of future Army operations, especially in the event of Army force level downsizing. Examples of applications for high-resolution meteorological models include: high resolution nowcast models for battlefield intelligence, mission planning and execution, precision air drops, three-dimensional (3D) wind fields for enhanced artillery accuracy, wind and turbulence hazards for routing of micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in urban and other complex terrain environments, atmospheric effects on battlefield operations, variation of infrared surface background radiance in different atmospheric conditions, and identification of high thermal blooming regions for tactical human external loads (HEL) operations. BED is developing a Meteorological Sensor Array (MSA) complex to not only overcome the Army's critical observational shortfall, but also to address greater community-wide needs for high-resolution observational data, developing State-of-the-Art decision aids and applications, and obtaining the capability to verify and validate atmospheric models over complex terrain. Beyond the Army's functional domain of interest, the MSA will be useful to a much wider community, both within and outside of DoD. In particular, modelers in the Air Force and Navy, as well as modelers with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Department of Energy (DOE), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Universities will have access to a source of boundary layer atmospheric data that can be variably-gridded or gridded to coincide with model grids. This capability to adjust the measurement grid to the model grid, along with the provision to relocate the measurement grid to terrain of specific interest to modelers, will avoid uncertainties due to interpolation and will provide a much-needed resource to the weather modeling community. The MSA will be a complex of three (3), 36-tower arrays outfitted with multiple meteorological and ground-sensing instrumentation at grid resolutions of one (1) kilometer (km) and below. [REDACTED] Vaisala's network manager NM10 is critically important as it will serve as the "eyes" of the arrays, observing network, instrumentation, and data status. The system works by integrating sensors, devices, and other instrumentation through secure networks, allowing for the management of the aforementioned from a centralized location. Ultimately, this function allows System Administrators to run diagnostic and analytic services across all networked devices to quickly identify and solve site problems, improving operational efficiency, data quality, and reducing operational costs. In addition to the overall diagnostic and analytic capabilities provided by the network manager, this tool will also provide several operational efficiencies including providing a single repository for managing the calibration state of over one thousand (1000) individual sensors. ARL requires Vaisala's network manager NM10 in order to process the entire MSA complex. This software will also provide a capability to conduct up to three (3) levels of data quality control including: sensor, "buddy," and array. Sensor level quality control includes verifying the data against expected weather conditions (for example, the sensor is not reading 100 degrees Farenheit when it is snowing). Buddy checks include verifying the readings on one (1) sensor to a nearby sensor. Normally weather conditions behave relatively nicely in that sensors that are close together should have readings that a close together; buddy checks assess this degree of closeness. Array level quality controls means that the array is operating within normal climatological conditions, which includes seasonal variations. While it is feasible to execute a quality control (QC) process though manually aided computer post-processing and plotting tools, it is only feasible when the number of sensors is small. When the number of sensors and the number of towers is large, such as the case with the MSA, it is impossible to maintain a consistent set of QC standards tower to tower, day to day, month to month, etc., which greatly reduces the scientific worth of the data gathered by the MSA. An alternative to utilizing a network management system is having multiple technicians monitoring multiple towers. [REDACTED] This estimate was based on RDRL-CIE's experiences under MSA Phase I proof of concept, the pilot phase of the MSA. [REDACTED]. Another technician would be required to handle day-to-day operations and another would be required to handle data processing, reduction, and quality control. [REDACTED] Market research determined that only Vaisala, Inc., herein refered to as "Vaisala," can meet RDRL-CIE'S network management system requirements. Vaisala's Observation Network Manager is the only scalable and readily configurable Commercial-off-the-Shelf (CotS) solution that allows the integration of multiple types of observation sites with different brands of equipment. In addition, only Vaisala has the ability to configure their proprietary software and no other company is authorized to do so as they are the owners of the CotS source code. At an estimated annualized cost of [REDACTED] per year, utilizing the Viasala Observation Network Manager will result in an expected cost savings of at least approximately [REDACTED]per year. In addition to the expected cost savings, the Viasala Observation Network Manager, as mentioned above, will improve the quality of the data observed and improve operational effeciences with respect to the manual alternative. Therefore, Viasala is the only responsible source capable of meeting the Government's minimum requirements. 6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Effective competition is not anticipated for this procurement based on the market research performed. [REDACTED] Based on the results of the market research performed, along with the Sources Sought Synopsis (W911QX-17-T-0148) which was posted to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) FedBizOpps.gov (FBO.gov) on 15 May, 2017, there are currently no other sources capable of meeting the Government's aforementioned requirements. A formal Synopsis was posted on 05 July 2015 through 20 July 2017 under the same announcement number, W911QX-17-T-0148 to the GPE with a notice of intent to sole source to Vaisala. The posting returned no results of interested parties that are capable of satisfying the Government's requirements. Due to the proprietary design and unique capabilies of the NM10, Vaisala is the only source that possesses the inherent technological expertise to provide the required services. Therefore, at this time, the procurement will be pursued on an Other Than Full and Open Competition basis in accordance with FAR Part 13.501(a) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. 7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research in an attempt to increase competition, to include open discussions with industry experts. As part of this requirement, the Government will obtain a license allowing the use of the Observation Network Manager in perpetuity. Prior to the initiation of future acquisitions for these modernizations services, the market place will be continually surveyed in order to determine whether another company can either: (1) provide its own network management solution for weather-related instrumentation; or (2) legally configure Vaisala's solution. In the event that another source is capable of meeting the Government's minimum requirements, the Government will pursue future acquisitions on a Full and Open basis. In addition, should another company be able to provide its own solution, the Government will conduct an analysis to determine whether utilizing another system will result in substantial duplication of costs. 8. Market Research: [REDACTED]Avenues of market research included: querying Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) and Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), contacting knowledgable people and Subject Matter Experts (SME) within the Government, and reviewing market research conducted for items previously procured for the MSA. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Since the Observation Network Manager consists of proprietary software, [REDACTED] After extensive review, it was determined that the required software could not be procured through CHESS. [REDACTED] [REDACTED]  9. Interested Sources: In accordance with FAR 5.201, a Sources Source Synopsis was posted to FBO.gov for five (5) days with a response/closing date of 22 May 2017. To date, one response has been received. Based on the aforementioned, Vaisala continues to be the only responsible source capable of providing a scalable and readily configurable CotS solution that allows the integration of multiple types of observation sites with different brands of equipment. As required by FAR 5.201, any other bids or proposals received shall be forwarded to the approving official for consideration. 10. Other Facts: a. Procurement History This requirement is for the first-time purchase, configuration, and installation of an automated network management system that will be used to monitor the MSA complex. As such, there is no procurement history. 11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signer's Title: [REDACTED] 12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signer's Title: [REDACTED] 13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The proposed cost will be determined fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1). In addition, current published price lists/catalogs/invoices for exact or comparable items sold to a different firm or agency will be reviewed, along with a vendor statement. This determination will be made using the following: __ Cost analysis _X_ Price analysis __ Should-cost __ IGCE __ Audit: __ Other: As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data: __ will be required. _x_ will not be required and the following exception applies (FAR 15.403): __ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on adequate price competition. __ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on prices set by law or regulation. _X_ A commercial item is being acquired. __ A waiver has been granted by the head of the contracting activity (HCA) in accordance with DFARS PGI 215.403-1. __ The contract action is a modification to a contract or subcontract for commercial item(s). _x_ The estimated cost of the contract action is less than the threshold for certified cost or pricing data.   14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Vaisala Observation Network Manager on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition. (End of Justification)
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/6b55112ec5c7895784285c0e34e2542e)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Adelphi Contracting Division, Building 1622, Room 111, White Sands, New Mexico, 88002, United States
- Zip Code: 88002
- Zip Code: 88002
- Record
- SN04741104-W 20171117/171115231223-6b55112ec5c7895784285c0e34e2542e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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