JA_Smartronix_G2_-redacted.docx

J&A NUMBER

J&A Number: 15_24720

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND AIRCRAFT DIVISION

21983 BUNDY ROAD

BUILDING 441, UNIT 7

PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND 20670

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River, MD

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This justification is for the Sole Source procurement of several Smartronix Series 5000 and G2 Telemetry Front End systems, Engineering Labor and Maintenance. This equipment will be used to upgrade the onboard and telemetry data processing capabilities at NAWCAD, Pax River and at NAWCWD, China Lake. The Smartronix Series 5000 and G2 are integral components of the Atlantic Test Range (ATR) (5.2.4.3) Telemetry Branch's Real-time Telemetry Processing System (RTPS) and Portable Telemetry Processing System (PTPS) designs as well as the telemetry ground station at NAWCWD, China Lake. With the proven success and dependability of these components, Smartronix is the sole vendor capable of meeting the requirement for a seamless, integrated solution that is compatible with existing Post Flight and Remote Site capabilities at NAWCAD, Pax River. The Smartronix systems have been in use at NAWCWD for several years and this contract will also be used to upgrade the existing capabilities at China Lake. These systems will be procured through a Firm Fixed Price Contract with Smartronix, Inc. Smartronix, Inc. is located at 44150 Smartronix Way, Hollywood, MD 20636.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

RTPS and PTPS are comprised of Telemetry Front Ends (TFE), data networks, data processing servers, data display clients, data storage devices, video routing subsystems, RF tracking subsystems and audio communication subsystems. The Telemetry Branch is undergoing a modernization effort beginning in FY16 via Navy Improvement and Modernization (I&M) funding in which the existing 15 year old Model 550 TFEs will be replaced with Series 5000 TFEs within RTPS and G2 TFEs within PTPS. This approach will provide, for the first time, a uniform system design using compatible components for real-time, post flight and remote site support.

The Series 5000, and associated Omega NExT software, is currently being used for RTPS V system development and integration; thus, assuring a fully-functional prototype system will be verified and validated prior to receiving the FY16 TFE I&M funding. The Remote Site PTPS systems currently utilize a combination of the Smartronix G2 TFEs, running the Omega NExT software, and legacy RTPS IV components for telemetry data processing, visualization and archiving. An expansion in capabilities via the addition of receivers and 64-bit compatible components to the G2 solution is required in order to support numerous aircraft program remote site telemetry requirements.

The Atlantic Test Range (ATR) Telemetry Branch is building its new Real-time Telemetry Processing System (RTPS V) around the Smartronix Series-5000 Telemetry Processing System running Omega NExT software which will also be used within Post Flight processing. Using the same processing software (i.e. Omega NExT) as Post Flight provides resource efficiencies that can only be realized with the Smartronix solution. In addition to new system components, labor hours included in this contract will be used to develop telemetry networking capabilities for the Smartronix systems. The government requires these new functions in order to test, verify and refine emerging Telemetry Network System (TmNS) standards with which these upgrades will comply, and to support future operations using RTPS V. Omega NExT is a proprietary product of Smartronix, Inc. As such, the required upgrades to the Omega NExT software can only be accomplished by this vendor. However, the TmNS standards are being defined by the multi-service funded integrated Network-Enhanced Telemetry (iNET) project. Once verified and refined, they will be added by the government to existing RCC IRIG-106 telemetry standards in order to foster compatibility and competition in future telemetry system procurements across the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB).

Estimated Dollar Value in Thousands

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Smartronix is the sole supplier for these telemetry processing products. The Postflight, real-time (Series 5000), and remote site (G2) systems utilize the Omega Software Suite for telemetry and onboard data processing. This data is visualized by and distributed to the NAVAIR 5.1 Flight Test Engineers (FTE) via the Omega Data Environment (ODE - DADMS 32762), a server-client visualization application residing on both the NMCI and RDT&E networks. The Postflight Data Lab has been successfully utilizing the Smartronix Omega data processing solution for the past 10 years. The RTPS Remote Telemetry Data System has been successfully utilizing the Smartronix G2 for remote data collection and visualization for the past 2 years. The inability to update the Omega software and expand existing remote system, real-time, and Postflight data processing capabilities would result in IA deficits, force the redevelopment and re-engineering of those systems and toolsets, and result in a disruption in FTE workflow.

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

The Telemetry Branch is continuously engaged with industry in the research of available telemetry products as well as through attendance of the yearly International Telemetering Conference, involving meetings, datasheet reviews and demonstrations by telemetry vendors.

A sources sought was posted in FedBizOpps on Aug 20, 2015 with the Government's intent to award to Smartronix. Responses were due on September 1, 2015. No responses were received. Smartronix is the sole manufacturer and distributor. These products are commercial products that Smartronix also sells to Cessna and Nat'l Aerospace Lab.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that all supplies and services provided under this contract are procured at a fair and reasonable price. The contracting officer will also ensure that price analysis is performed and utilize necessary resources to help determine a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

This is a multiple-year procurement of a unique suite of hardware items/services and the Navy has performed market research to determine that this is the only product available to meet our needs. The Navy does not anticipate another procurement of this particular suite of items in the near future. The Atlantic Test Range will continue to monitor the market for vendors that can provide the expertise and capability to provide a complete system needed to satisfy its telemetry requirements in the event a future decision is made to replace the ATR Telemetry Front End systems. ATR expects to support competition for future acquisition of similar systems.

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