25-0007 JA APU Reachback Support_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND

RADM WILLIAM A. MOFFET BUILDING

47123 BUSE ROAD, BLDG 2272

PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND 20670-1547

IN REPLY REFER TO:

J&A: 25-0007

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Headquarters

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee order on a sole source basis under Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) N0001924G0004 to L3 Harris Technologies Integrated Systems (L-3), 7500 Maehr Road, Waco, Texas 76705 for the procurement of reach back services to support the E-6B Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) upgrade effort for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 through 2027.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The contract action authorized under this J&A will procure Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) reach back services required to support the E-6B APU integration and sustainment being performed under the separate Integrated Maintenance Modification Contract (IMMC). Reach back services will include engineering, logistical, and technical support for the emergent needs related to APU integration kit installation, updates to drawings and work orders, and implementation of supplier changes to the APU installation technical data package

The estimated total value of this J&A is of FY 2025 through 2027 Operation and Maintenance, Navy (O&MN) funds.

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

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

J&A 25-0007

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

NAVAIR contract N00019-15-C-0093 was awarded sole source to L-3 for approximately $47M for the design and development of an E-6B Block IA Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), of which approximately $14M was directly related to the APU kit design and development effort including the installation of the prototype A-kit and APU unit, and production of the remaining kits for installation on E-6B aircraft. L-3 is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the APU integration kit design for the E-6B aircraft. By completing the prototype design and installation effort, L-3 established a baseline for the prototype kit installation that meets all Navy criteria for airworthiness including loads and stress analysis for the APU, the installation kit, support, and structural safety margins.

L-3 is the only contractor with the requisite technical knowledge who can provide the reach back services required for the E-6B APU integration as the sole developer of the data and tooling used for the installation efforts during the Block II modification. Although a Technical Data Package (TDP) for APU installation was procured under N00019-15-C-0093 which enabled the competitive award of APU installation as part of the E-6B Block II upgrade under the IMMC, the TDP does not lend itself to competition for this subject effort. If a vendor other than L-3 was contracted to provide reach back support for the APU integration kit and the related TDP, and the Block II IMMC integration line is estimated to be complete in approximately months. This is based upon the timeline the Government has experienced in standing up the Fleet Readiness Center Cherry Point to support an APU Depot. This would also include the time required for another vendor to review all required technical publication and OEM product specification documentation, ensure adequate staffing of individuals with the required expertise, certify test benches for equipment, and procure necessary equipment and materials required for the effort herein. L-3 already has the in-house expertise, knowledge, and infrastructure in place to immediately begin supporting this effort as the OEM and sole developer of the APU integration design. As such, procuring this effort from any other vendor would cause an unacceptable delay to the E-6B Block II upgrade currently being performed under IMMC. If reach back support for APU installations currently being performed is not available , there will be an impact to the Block II upgrade schedule, which will critically affect availability of aircraft and fleet readiness.

Therefore, L-3 is the only vendor with the requisite technical knowledge who can provide the reach back services without an unacceptable delay in fulfilling the agency’s requirements. This delay would affect the number of mission capable aircraft available for flying, which would negatively impact the Navy’s ability to carry out their Nuclear Command Control and Communications mission.

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

As required by DFARS PGI 206.302-1(d), a Sources Sought Notice for the requirements intended under BOA orders was posted to SAM.gov website on 22 June 2023 and closed on 07 July 2023.

L3 Harris was the only response received.

Market Research for this stand-alone effort falls under the scope of the market research conducted for the BOA. An additional sources sought notice to support this requirement was not posted as L-3 is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the APU integration kit design for the E- 6B aircraft and has the requisite technical knowledge necessary to accomplish the supplies and services required under this effort. In addition to reviewing the previous market research, the program office contacted Subject Matter Experts within the Government who is knowledgeable in the APU industry regarding market capabilities to meet the Government’s requirements. As a result, the Government determined that it is not practicable for any company other than L-3 to provide the required services.

In accordance with FAR 5.201, BOA orders will be individually synopsized on the SAM.gov website. The synopsis notice for this effort was posted to SAM.gov website on 15 January 2025 stating the Government’s intent to award a sole source order to L3 Harris. No responses were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For reasons set forth in paragraph 5, NAVAIR does not have any plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of services covered by this document.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

EW

on is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

ccurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

APPROVAL

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Director, Procurement Group for PEO(A), V23, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Date