12898 sole_source_justification_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

United States Air Force

AFMC AFSC/PZIMB

3001 Staff Drive Bldg 03, Post A-2 Tinker AFB, OK 73145 POC: Bryce Cornish (405)312-0066

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

This J&A is an individual type justification. This will be a new contract action to purchase the Tactical Communications Group (TCG)-Battelfield Operations Support System (BOSS) Multi-Link Lunchbox. This is a commercial acquisition.

This contract will be issued under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) pricing arrangement.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

Model: TCG-200 ML Description: Boss Multi-Link, Link 11A & 16 Capable lunchbox model

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Model: TCG-LOS Description: Line of Sight

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Model: TCG-JREAP Description: JREAP Appendix C

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Model: TCG-DIS Description: DIS Interface

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Model: N/A Description: Documentation and Manuals

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Model: Training Description: Training

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Model: TCG-PSP MLB Description: Product Support Platinum

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 4

QTY: 1

Price:

Total:

Total Estimated Cost:

Funding will be 4930 Funds.

Delivery: 90 Days After Receipt of Order (ARO)

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures(41 U.S.C 1901) AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1) as implemented by FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) "Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work". Only one Responsible Source, no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

The Air Force's minimum needs can only be satisfied by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Curtiss-Wright Company, listed in the market research. From this market research it is determined that Curtiss-Wright Company is the only known sole source that can fulfill this procurement. Due to the nature of this acquisition and the proprietary design of the BOSS lunchbox system, Curtiss-Wright Company does not have any authorized distributors and is the only source that can fulfill this award.

The BOSS lunchbox will be used to simulate various inputs of testing of the AWACS software. The BOSS hardware is for E-767 testing and simulation requiring their own separate hardware set. The BOSS lunchbox system is the only product like this on the market.

Without this BOSS lunchbox the program will be unable to sufficiently test simulations for the MIDS-JTRS upgrades on the E-767 AWACS. This system is used between aircraft to communicate real-time. As a result, the aircraft would not be able to successfully complete missions.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

A search of Enterprise software Initiative (ESI), Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (NASA-SEWP), and GSA websites did not result in a viable product or source to support this requirement. SWES/MXDPC PM received an OEM letter from Curtiss-Wright Company dated March 8, 2024 which identified that the company has a direct sales model and does not resell through third party sources.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The following steps will be taken to ensure that the anticipated cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer will comply with the procedures and criteria contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) under Part 30 - Cost Accounting Standards, Part 31 - Contract Cost Principles and procedures, Subparts 15.4 - Contract Pricing; to include technical evaluations and audits, as appropriate. Additional steps to ensure price reasonableness will be under the guidance of the Contract Pricing Reference Guides, jointly developed by the Federal Acquisition Institute and the Air Force Institute of Technology. The CO will obtain other than certified cost or pricing data IAW FAR 15.403-3. The final step is to include the Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM). This detailed documentation and justification of price reasonableness will be disclosed in the official PNM, to be prepared upon completion of negotiations.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 4 was not conducted.

Market Research was conducted, in accordance with FAR Part 10, by direct communication with the OEM, performing Internet searches, and searching DoD required sources.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

See Section VI above.

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

Other alternative equipment was considered during the initial setup. There is no other equipment capable of providing the required testing of the AWACS software which is used to simulate various inputs and testing simulations. The Government will consider other sources in the future if they meet the required salient characteristics.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.