BRAND NAME SOLE SOURCE One (1) Impact Spray System with components, installation and training

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Justification and Approval (J&A) for a sole-source acquisition using simplified procedures for commercial items (FAR Part 13.5). The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires an Impact Innovations Cold Spray System and supporting equipment, valued at $664,374.00. The justification cites authority FAR 13.501(a)(2)(i) because only one responsible source (Impact Innovations) will satisfy agency requirements.

This document indicates the government intends to procure a specific brand-name cold spray system manufactured by Impact Innovations. The procurement is being conducted as a brand-name sole source acquisition among third-party resellers of Impact Innovations products. The ARL needs this specific system to support the Army Manufacturing Technology program focused on Rapid Additive Manufacturing for Accelerated Munitions Production, directly supporting Department of War Critical Technology Area #6, Scale Hypersonics. Key performance requirements include the ability to sustain 62 bar pressure and 1000°C through a 2.7 mm nozzle orifice. Alternatives like VRC Metal Systems and SPEE3D were evaluated but do not meet the specific performance metrics or possess proprietary aspects of the Impact Innovations system. The government aims to avoid delays to critical program timelines. Future procurements may consider fully competitive acquisitions after further market research.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document provides a full-text attachment of provisions and clauses relevant to a "Combo Synopsis-Solicitation." It details administrative and contractual requirements for potential bidders.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Government Inspection and Acceptance: To be performed at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) by an authorized Government Representative.

• Tax Exemption: Exemption certificate number 30005004 covers exemption from Maryland retail sales and use tax for ARL (Federal Tax ID: 53-0215803).

• Receiving Room Requirements (APG): Truck shipments accepted Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM at Logistics Warehouse, Building 321, 6375 Johnson Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005. Packing slips must be affixed externally. Coordinate deliveries with Bldg. 321 at 410-278-4406.

• DFARS Commercial Clauses: A comprehensive list of selected DFARS provisions and clauses is included by reference. Bidders must review these for compliance. Key included clauses relate to Gratuities, Compensation of Former DoD Officials, Antiterorism Awareness Training, Item Identification and Valuation, Buy American, Prohibition of Hexavalent Chromium, and Representation Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime.

• Exceptions in Proposal: Any exceptions or conditions must be set forth in a cover letter.

• Award of Contract: No award will be made for less than full quantities solicited; partial offers will be considered nonresponsive.

• Brand Name or Equal: If "brand name or equal" is used, proposals offering "equal" products must clearly identify them and demonstrate they meet salient characteristics.

• Foreign Nationals: Offerors expecting to employ foreign nationals must submit employment eligibility documentation. Contact ARL for further information.

• Payment Terms: Payment terms of less than net thirty (30) days are unacceptable.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Exceptions: Must be detailed in a cover letter.

• "Equal" Products: Must be clearly identified in the proposal.

• Payment Terms: Must be Net 30 days or better.

• Utilization of Indian Organizations: Clause 252.226-7001 is included.

• Buy American: Clauses 252.225-7000, 252.225-7001, 252.225-7006, 252.225-7007, 252.225-7012, 252.225-7055, and 252.225-7056 are included.

• Points of Contact:

  • Contract Specialist: Douglas Dennard (301-394-3371, douglas.c.dennard.civ@army.mil)
  • Contract Officer: Joseph Dellinger (301-394-0769, joseph.m.dellinger2.civ@army.mil)
  • Technical POC: Isaac Nault (isaac.m.nault.civ@army.mil)

• Distribution Statement: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

• Website: Adelphi Contracting Division website: http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=509

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ) under FAR Subpart 12.6. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is seeking to procure one (1) Brand Name "Impact Spray System" with components, installation, and training. This acquisition is a brand name sole source.

• CLIN 0001: One (1) Impact Spray System with components, installation, and training.
• CLIN 0002: Installation services.
• CLIN 0003: On-site training.
• CLIN 0004: Travel Expenses.
• CLIN 0005: Packaging/Freight.

System Specifications:

• Modular design for future expansion.

• Capable of operating with Nitrogen or Helium.

• Minimum of two (2) powder feeder units.

• Spray Applicator: Minimum 60 bar pressure, 1000°C temperature, 2.7mm nozzle, 40 kW heating capacity, max 30 kg weight.

• Powder Feeders: Minimum 62 bar operation, integrated scale.

• Nozzles & Injectors: Central Injector Kit, Water-Cooled Powder Injector, at least one (1) tungsten carbide nozzle, at least two (2) nozzles for aluminum alloys.

• Ancillary Equipment: Water Cooling Unit (min 12 kW), Powder Pre-Heater (min 400°C at 100 bar).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Delivery: Required 60 days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• Place of Delivery/Performance: U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

• Contract Financing: Not available.

• Response Date: FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER POSTING, by 11:59 AM EST.

• Submission Method: Via email to douglas.c.dennard.civ@army.mil.

• Evaluation Criteria: Offers will be evaluated based on Technical, Past Performance, and Price. Technical and Past Performance are of equal importance and significantly more important than Price. The Government is willing to trade-off on price for accelerated delivery (up to 1% price increase for delivery in 6 weeks or less).

• Required Documents: Completed FAR 52.212-3 (with Alternate I) Offeror Representations.

• NAICS Code: 333912

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 employees.

• Set-Aside Code: N/A.

• Sole Source: Brand Name Sole Source.

• The solicitation number is W911QX26QA025.

• Vendors must provide descriptive material to demonstrate compliance with specifications. For modifications, clear descriptions are required.

• Past performance will consider sales of the proposed product, ability to meet specs/delivery, and demonstrated experience importing similar systems.

• Offerors must include 2 records of sales from the previous 12 months with POC information.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Salient Characteristics" for a cold spray system required by the government. It serves as a specification for potential bidders to understand the minimum technical requirements for the system.

• Commercial Availability Certification: Confirms that the specified characteristics are available in the commercial marketplace.
• System Requirements:
  • Modular design for future expansion.
  • Operates with Nitrogen or Helium.
  • Includes all necessary interconnecting cables, hoses, and pipes.
  • Minimum of two (2) powder feeder units.
  • On-site installation and operational training included.
• Spray Applicator Requirements:
  • Performance: Sustains 60 bar process gas pressure and 1000°C process gas temperature with a 2.7mm nozzle orifice.
  • Integrated heating capacity of at least 40 kW.
  • Weight not exceeding 30 kg.
  • Includes a Prechamber Extension Kit.
• Powder Feeder Requirements:
  • Minimum of two (2) individual units.
  • Operates at a pressure of at least 62 bar.
  • Integrated scale for continuous powder level monitoring.
• Nozzles & Injectors Requirements:
  • Central Injector Kit for axial powder injection.
  • Water-Cooled Powder Injector assembly.
  • At least one (1) tungsten carbide (WC) nozzle.
  • At least two (2) nozzles for pure aluminum and aluminum alloys.
• Ancillary Equipment Requirements:
  • Water Cooling Unit with at least 12 kW cooling capacity.
  • Powder Pre-Heater capable of heating to 400°C at up to 100 bar.

This document is critical for bidders to determine if their commercial offerings meet the government's specific technical requirements for a cold spray system. Vendors must ensure their proposed system satisfies all listed salient characteristics to be considered compliant.