0523-03 - Tiger Servers JA- Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

DAHLGREN DIVISION

6149 WELSH ROAD SUITE 203

DAHLGREN VIRGINIA 22448-5130

IN REPLY REFER TO

J&A Number: DN-24-0186 Code: 026 Date: June 27, 2024

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Contracts Department

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a firm fixed priced contract on a sole source basis for critical equipment to be used by the NSWCDD Warfare Analysis & Digital Modeling Department (M), Digital Modeling (M30) Division, Combat System Simulation (CSS) Systems Engineering Branch (M33), Integrated Warfare System Laboratory (IWSL), manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

A quantity of twenty-one (21) each Tactical Data Link TIGER Servers w/ Multi Link Software, part number 246-A11772, and TIGER Multi Link Software, part number 172-DSS-ML is required. Delivery is required 8 months after receipt of the order.

The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

The estimated cost of the proposed contract action is $1,458,114.00. The following Fiscal year (FY) funding will be used for this procurement:

Funding Type FY23 FY24 Total

OPN $763,774.00 $763,774.00

RDTEN $624,906.00 $69,434.00 $694,340.00

Total $624,906.00 $833,208.00 $1,458,114.00

J&A Number:

NCH 53.6-2

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented in FAR Subpart 13.5.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

The NSWCDD (IWSL) is a primary Land Based Test Training Site (LBTTS) supporting multiple Navy Program Systems including the Aegis Weapon Systems (AWS), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Systems (ABMDS), Littoral Combat System (LCS) and Zumwalt Class Destroyers. The IWSL requires the procurement of TIGER Servers to replace Multi Link System Training (MLST) 3 equipment that is end of life due to equipment obsolescence. This product was chosen by Program Executive Office (PEO) Integrated Warfare System (IWS) 1 and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) as the replacement for MLST 3.

Current servers are beginning to fail with no ability to repair causing a work stoppage. Labs SCSC, Combat System Engineering Development Site (CSEDS), AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), Integrated Warfare System Laboratory (IWSL) and Naval Surface Combat Center (NSCC) currently employs the MLST 3 servers that are no longer supported by the manufacturer. This equipment will support and expand the Surface Combat System Center (SCSC) ability to recreate a multi-platform shipboard environment in the labs that represents a real-world battle group. The TIGER replacement server, a Tactical Data Link simulator, will allow the recreation of a multi-platform shipboard environment.

Tactical Data Link simulators are required to recreate the multi-platform shipboard environment that represents real world battle groups. By installing TIGER systems, the Land Based Testing and Training Sites (LBTTS) will be able to recreate a multilink environment for the test teams to assess and detect deficiencies prior to shipboard installation. The servers must be compatible (form, fit, and function) with the currently installed components on ships and in the labs. By means of thorough product research and analysis, the Sites Planning Agent (SPA) and M33 engineering team has identified the TIGER Server to be the exact form, fit & function replacement compatible with the SCSC’s, CSEDS, ATRC, IWLS and NSCC’s existing MLST 3 system and components. The server system has been utilized and tested by sites that support the SCSC. Failure to procure the TIGER Server equipment will result in LBTTS being unable to support testing with any data links.

This is critical to AEGIS certification, development and integration. Failure to replace these legacy obsolete servers will ultimately result in catastrophic server failures in the labs. These failures will render the labs unusable and prevent

SCSC from supporting the Navy Combat Systems Computer Program certification and fleet support missions. In addition, the sites currently have over $7,500,000.00 worth of Northrop Grumman components already installed in other facilities. Using any other manufacturer’s products would result in incompatible server components that would not meet Information Assurance and Cybersecurity mandates at the sites. Proprietary data limits competition. Utilizing another vendor’s product would require unbudgeted and unanticipated system integration, operability, functionality, form fit re-design and testing of the current architecture causing a complete redesign of the existing system.

A complete redesign of the existing system would result in an estimated $3,800,000.00 in additional cost. This additional cost could not be recovered through full and open competition. In addition, testing, training, redesign, and development would cause unacceptable delays, estimated at 18 months to program schedules and training. Northrop Grumman Corporation is the original equipment manufacturer of this proprietary system with no authorized resellers available, therefore, proprietary data limits competition.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable

Market research conducted included contacting subject matter experts, performing internet searches, reviewing catalogs and product literature published by manufacturers available online, contacting the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Northrop Grumman Corporation, and obtaining a market research quote. This market research and the review of the manufacturer’s compatibility and system specifications, has shown that these products would be the only solution compatible with the production suite. Northrop Grumman Corporation is the OEM for this proprietary hardware verifying that there are no authorized resellers for these specific proprietary servers.

The proposed contract was synopsized on SAM.GOV Federal website on 26 June 2024 and only Northrop Grumman Corporation expressed interest in this requirement. No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5 above, for any company other than Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide the required equipment.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the equipment covered by the J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, Dahlgren Contract Department has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the type of equipment covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, Dahlgren Contract Department will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(b))

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and its supporting data, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CUNNINGHAM.ROBE

C R

UN

T

NI

NGHAM.ROBERT.EARL.12002

Digitally signed by

EARL.1200269426

69426 Date: 2024.06.28 15:02:14 -04'00'

Robert E. Cunningham, Code M33, TPOC Phone No., Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

I have determined this justification is legally sufficient.

THOMAS.CANDICE.A.1265 Digitally signed by

THOMAS.CANDICE.A.1265711517

711517 Date: 2024.07.02 10:47:29 -04'00'

NSWCDD Legal Counsel, Code 00L, Phone No., Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12))

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Digitally signed by Angela Bowling Date: 2024.07.03 07:08:56 -04'00'

Angela Bowling, Contracting Officer, 026, Phone No., Date

APPROVAL BLOCK (FAR 13.501(a)(2)(II) for Approving Official)

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Competition Advocate for the Procuring Activity, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C.

1901 as implemented in FAR Subpart 13.5.

Competition Advocate

Melisha P. McAuliffe, Competition Advocate, 02 Date

MCAULIFFE.MELISHA.PROCTOR.1200209032 Digitally signed by MCAULIFFE.MELISHA.PROCTOR.1200209032 Date: 2024.07.05 15:30:03 -04'00'

Angela Bowling