Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

This document is a Justification and Approval (J&A) for a sole-source procurement under FAR 12.102 Restricting Competition using Simplified Procedures.

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) through Naval Supply Fleet Logistics Puget Sound is procuring a Rudder Blade & Stock assembly (Part Number 10058-05, Quantity 1) from OEM Becker Marine Systems GmbH for the USS MIGUEL KEITH (T-ESB-5). The requirement is being solicited as a full and open brand name purchase order for commercial firm-fixed-price supply-type services under the IAW Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The replacement assembly is required due to maintenance complications discovered during the 2024 Dry Docking; the existing rudder cannot be removed due to an incorrect installation during the vessel's original construction. The rudder assembly is a proprietary design exclusive to Becker Marine Systems GmbH with detailed manufacturing drawings and specialized tooling not available from alternative sources. The components must be machined by the OEM and delivered to MSC Warehouse N68779 MSCO Charleston by October 15, 2027, with an anticipated manufacturing and delivery period of 15 months after order receipt. Funding will come from FY26 Navy Operation and Maintenance (O&M,N) Ship Maintenance, with an anticipated award no later than July 2026. The document establishes that only Becker Marine Systems USA Inc. is the qualified source for this ship-critical safety item, as the rudder integrates with the existing steering gear system and requires precise machining tolerances and blue fit specifications that only the OEM can guarantee to prevent material incompatibility and catastrophic steering system failure.