19D0025 Redacted JA.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

IN REPLY REFER TO:

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, NJ

1. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This justification and approval authorizes and approves on a sole source basis the issuance of a Fixed-Price three (3) year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract to Excalibur Systems, Inc. (Excalibur), for the procurement of Excalibur, Dragon V System (Part No. ES-6500-180A) units.

1. Description of Supplies/Services.

NAWCAD 4.11.3 is tasked by PMA-266 to deliver multiple Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Mission Control Stations (MCSs) that include these Excalibur Dragon V systems units. NAWCAD has identified a requirement for the Dragon V System units to support the production and delivery of the Fire Scout UAV MCSs. The Excalibur Dragon V systems units serve as a Radio Interface Device (RID), which is a communication link between the UAV’s radios and Datalink Control Processors (DCPs). This enables radio signals from the MCS to control the UAV. The MCS provides the principal Human Computer Interface for commanding, monitoring and controlling virtually all aspects of Fire Scout flight operations, and requires this specific system unit detailed in the drawing package.

1. 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.

1. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The Excalibur Dragon V systems units serve as a RID, which is a communication link between the UAV’s radios and DCPs. This enables radio signal from the MCS to control the UAV. The system is the primary method of communication between DCP and the two ARC210 RT-1794/1939 radios inside the radio tray. The system communicates with the DCP via ethernet to take in radio setup commands and packets of data intended for the Air Vehicle (AV). This system meets all necessary design qualities, features, and characteristics, required by NAVAIR for the use in the Fire Scout system. This model is part of the design and a necessary, required element of the Fire Scout system. As such, it must meet the exact qualifications as those currently being used. No other system has met the required Navy MIL specs and standards.

The Fire Scout UAV and the associated MCS system are an integrated system that involves numerous components including the RID. The system depends on each component not only working as designed, but also working as one (1) cohesive unit or system. Therefore, it is critical that not only are individual components tested to meet exact specifications, but they are also tested as a fully integrated and operating system. Further, these many components are designed to work with one another as they relate to pre-existing cabling configurations, operating software, weight, size and power requirements. As stated in Section 3 above, the RIDs are key communication link components for control of the AV. External communications for the operation of the UAV is routed through the radios which interface and are operated by this component; the entire mission hinges on this equipment working as designed. The RID required by this procurement action are based on an established design for a unit that meets current design limitations regarding mass and dimensions, and that has been tested and certified. The baseline Fire Scout UAV MCS (inclusive of the RID) has been tested and certified for all required MIL-STD-810 environmental considerations and laboratory testing to ensure that the system operates in all required environmental conditions, especially shipboard conditions. The system baseline was approved, and all current drawing packages reflect the use of the Dragon V System.

If an alternative manufacturer is selected for this requirement, the Government would experience unacceptable delays to in fielding MCSs to the fleet and significant duplication of costs. If Excalibur Dragon V systems units are not procured, the alternate manufacturer’s system would require re-designing the Fire Scout UAV MCS to accommodate other manufacturer’s RIDs, or initiating a one-off design effort. , would result in a substantial duplication of costs that are not anticipated to be recouped through competition, and delays in fielding MCSs to the fleet. The additional cost include developing new design drawings, conducting all required MIL-STD environmental considerations, laboratory testing, thermal analysis testing, and formal qualification testing. The Dragon V system unit is a critical component, and failure of this component would create an unacceptable risk to the Fire Scout mission. Fire Scout UAVs often operate from ships and/or over civilian areas, so the procurement and installation of any untested, unapproved components would create unacceptable risk to human life.

MCSs are fully integrated systems. Therefore, performing a series of tests on just one new component, such as the RID would require an entire MCS system to come off-line and be dedicated to testing, which is incompatible with the operational readiness of existing systems, and the fielding schedules of new systems.

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

NAWCAD 4.11.3 searched for replacement products that met the required form, fit, and function of the Dragon V System (Part No. ES-6500-180A), via internet search engines such as Google.

Multiple manufacturers, including Excalibur, were identified through an internet search for "Dragon ES-6500-180A" that were capable of providing different makes and models, however, none but Excalibur met the form, fit, and function, and the hardware/software interface requirements that are unique to the Fire Scout UAV MCSs. The Excalibur Dragon V Systems units is the only device that currently meets the Government's requirement.

Additional searches were conducted on Google and the GSA Advantage website for the specific Excalibur Dragon V System, required by the Government. The search concluded that three (3) of the most relevant results; however none of these vendors sell the required systems approved for use.

A Request for Information (RFI) for this requirement was posted via the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website on 9 November 2017 and closed on 15 November 2017. A synopsis was posted to FedBizOpps on 19 January 2018 and closed on 5 February 2018.

1. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that the price negotiated for this acquisition is fair and reasonable. In accordance with FAR 15.404-1, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that all equipment procured under this contract is procured at a fair and reasonable price. The Contractor will submit a formal price proposal with other than cost or pricing data and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. The Excalibur proposal will be reviewed by experienced technical analysts, costs analysts, and contract specialists with the aid of necessary field pricing support. The Contracting Officer will utilize cost and price analysis as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

1. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons stated in paragraph 5, only Excalibur can provide the required Fire Scout UAV MCS Dragon V System RID to meet this requirement. The Government will continue to monitor industry to determine if any other vendors meet the form, fit, and function requirements of the Fire Scout UAV MCS System.

image1.wmf