JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS $150,000 AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT:

Quantity of one (1) automated stage upgrade to a Wilson 1202 hardness indenter, including ancillary

services (installation and training).

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Buehler (An Illinois Tool Works Inc., Company)

Wilson Product Family

825 University Avenue

Norwood, MA 02062

DUNS: 799177691

CAGE: 80160

Business Size: Large

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: Basic contract: $ 35,170.68

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION: 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) "Only One

Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The Lightweight and Specialty Metals Branch (LSMB) within the Weapons and Materials Research

Directorate (WMRD) at the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires the procurement of one (1)

automated stage upgrade to a Government owned Wilson 1202 hardness indenter purchased under

contract number W911QX-14-0327 with the total value of $40,000.00. The Wilson automated stage

upgrade is exclusive to the Wilson 1202 micro-hardness indenter. The automated stage upgraded

Wilson 1202 will be used to evaluate the evolution of mechanical hardness as a function of

processing conditions. It will also be used for process control in the development of bulk and additive

manufacturing parts. In the case if the automated stage upgrade is not procured, ARL will be unable

to fulfill mission requirements in an efficient and accurate manner deserving of the warfighter's safety.

The upgrades required allow ARL to evaluate further the development of advanced lightweight metal

and alloy research to generate nano and ultra-fine grained metals, alloys and composite structures

utilizing techniques such as severe plastic deformation (including surface mechanical attrition, equal

channel angular extrusion, and mechanical alloying). WMRD is also involved in producing similar

metal and alloy structures through electroplating and physical vapor deposition technologies. It has

been shown through research that the reduction of the materials' grain size and particle size to the

nano scale is beneficial in dramatically increasing its strength without compromising its other

properties. In turn, the increase in capabilities provided by this upgrade will allow ARL to strengthen

and increase flexibility in the utilization of parts made from nano structured metals or alloys.

Currently, Buehler Inc. is the only vendor in the marketplace with the capability to successfully

perform the automated stage upgrade to the Government-owned Wilson 1202 hardness indenter

because Buehlor is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Wilson 1202 indenter and the

only company on the market that offers the automated stage upgrade to the Wilson 1202 indenter.

The automated measuring will increase throughput of sample characterization, reduce time spent on

task, and increase accuracy. The proposed vendor has the capability and compatibility to upgrade the

Government indenter to full automatic functionality. The Buehler proposed price of the automated

stage upgrade will save the Government approximately $50,000 or more in place of purchasing a new

automated indenter.

The automated stage, produced by Wilson, is an add-on feature to the existing Wilson microhardness

testing system that ARL currently has in place. The proposed automated stage upgrade

integrates directly with the existing hardware and software that is in current usage at ARL. Due to

Wilson being the only manufacturer that supplies the direct upgrade components required to meet

WMRD's mission program on nano-structured materials, Buehler (under the Wilson Product Family)

is the only acceptable vendor. As mentioned above, the proposed upgrade to ARL's current unit is

more cost efficient than purchasing an entirely new automated indenter. Consequently, Buehler is the

only vendor that can meet the Government's requirements.

6. MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED/EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Market Research was performed by lab technician at WMRD with one (1) plus

years of experience. Market research was conducted by querying Government-wide databases and

searching on the General Supply Schedule (GSA) website. In addition, further market research was

conducted by consulting with subject matter experts and by reviewing internet websites

(http://www.struers.com/default.asp?top_id=3&main_id=15&sub_id=214&doc_id=1033,

http://www.affri.com/index.php/hardness-testers/universal/universal-hardness-tester-vrsseries#

b2jmoduleid_99,

http://kbprueftechnik.de/en/Products/Hardness_testing_machines/Vickers_hardness_testing_machine

s, https://shop.buehler.com/equipment/wilson-hardness-testing/Wilson-VH3100-automated-knoopvickers-

hardness-tester and http://www.indentec.com/en/micro_vickers.html).

The automated stage produced by Wilson is an add-on feature to the existing Wilson micro-hardness

testing system that ARL currently has in place. Market research showed that this particular automated

stage upgrade integrates directly with the existing hardware and software that ARL currently utilizes.

Market research determined that no other companies were identified who can supply this add-on

feature. Due to the aforementioned, only one (1) manufacturer, Wilson, supplies the direct upgrade

components required to meet WMRD's mission program on nano-structured materials. Nonetheless,

ARL will continue to monitor the market for possible new sources which can meet the Government's

requirements.

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7. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and

that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is

accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

9/6/2016

X Benjamin Shelton

Contracting Officer (KO)

Signed by: SHELTON.BENJAMIN.JOSEPH