70Z03822QE0000017 Limited Sources Justification_Redacted.pdf

Federal Supply Schedule

Limited Sources Justification Item Peculiar to One Manufacturer

Solicitation Number: 70Z03822QE0000017

(e) Type of funding: Operations and support funds (O&S)

(f) Year of funding: Fiscal Year (FY) 2022

(g) Solicitation number: 70Z03822QE0000017

(h) Background information about the requirement

The USCG has a requirement to purchase Laser Eye Protection (LEP), LIT-GX Spectacles for all aircrew members and RX Outserts for those aircrew members wearing prescription glasses. LEP’s will be part of the aircrew’s flight gear, which is essential for protection from high power laser pointers.

ESD anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price BPA to Gentex Corporation, hereafter known as Gentex, using the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Program, contract number 47QSWA19D009N. An award on a limited sources (brand name) basis will be awarded, as Gentex (cage code 97427) is the only contractor that offers an LEP that meet the requirements of the

USCG.

In July of 2013, the Naval Aeronautical Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D) became aware of the lack of LEP in regard to USCG aircrew by CG-1131. During the following two (2) years, the NAMRU-D researched a solution at no cost to the USCG. In November of 2015, CG-711 set forth a requirement requesting CG-41 research to produce a LIT-GX LEP solution. NAMRU-D began developing an “all airframe” solution. Satisfactory laboratory and simulator human testing was performed for all USCG aircraft platforms. Since this time, no other sources have been found that meet the requirements of the USCG for LEP. The LIT-GX LEP contain a formula, which addresses the USCG requirements that are specifically designed for all platforms and their cockpits. The USCG threat is primarily green, low intensity laser, and the spectacles allow the wearer to be fully protected in the event of lasing.

(3) Description of Supplies/Services.

The LIT-GX Spectacles and RX Outserts required by the USCG are intended to protect aircrew members from high power laser strikes and ensuing temporary blindness; directly affecting the ability of the aircraft and crew to safely complete the flight. These items are airworthy, poses minimal risk for Foreign Object Debris (FOD) within the aircraft, and fulfill a defined operational requirement. The lenses manufactured by Gentex are the only known devices to meet the needs of the USCG.

Item Peculiar to One Manufacturer

Part Number Description Manufacturer

A14992-1 LIT-GX Spectacle, Small Gentex

A14992-2 LIT-GX Spectacle, Medium Gentex

A14992-3 LIT-GX Spectacle, Large Gentex

A14919-1 LIT-GX RX Outserts, Small Gentex

A14919-2 LIT-GX RX Outserts, Medium Gentex

A14919-3 LIT-GX RX Outserts, Large Gentex

The characteristics for the Spectacles are:

Lens offers in-band and out-of-band protection while maintaining high visible transmittance and cockpit display compatibilities with Rockwell-Collins color multifunctional display (MFD), Model 268C3.

Hard coat Anti-Reflective (AR) on both sides Topped with anti-smudge coating Lens features zero prism deviation, zero power and no distortion in a ballistic-grade polycarbonate material to meet impact requirements Randolph SF2 Frame Must allow for maximized field-of-view and is physically compatible with existing aircrew flight equipment including Night Vision Goggles (NVG’s), Helmets, ear cups, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) products.

Spectacles must allow for detachable RX Outserts for those aircrew members needing prescription eyewear.

The characteristics for the RX Outserts are:

RX Outserts must securely attach to the Randolph SF2 Frame RX Outserts must be detachable and allow for prescription inserts.

(4) Identification of the justification and the rationale.

This limited sources justification and approval was prepared IAW FAR 8.405-6(b)(1) as the required characteristics for the LIT-GX Spectacles and RX Outserts are peculiar to one (1) manufacturer and are being solicited on a brand-name basis.

The USCG’s Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) Technical Services in conjunction with NAMRU-D and Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) developed, tested and authorized the LIT-GX spectacles to have all of the characteristics necessary to the USCG current flight missions and have protection against high-power green laser eye pointers. The information listed in this justification and approval have been determined to be the only known product that meets the requirements for USCG use.

Item Peculiar to One Manufacturer

Gentex is the only GSA schedule holder that offers the LIT-GX Spectacles and approved by the USCG.

Per FAR 8.405-6(b) (3), a solicitation, along with a copy of this limited sources justification, will be posted to GSA’s electronic Request for Quotation (RFQ) system – e-Buy – at www.ebuy.gsa.gov.

(5) Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

a) The Contracting Officer has determined that establishing a BPA with Gentex for the purchase of the LIT-GX Spectacles and RX Outserts is in the best interest of the Government as they offer products that meet or exceed USCG requirements without modification. In determining best value, the Contracting Officer considered non-price factors IAW FAR 8.405-1(f). Other factors given consideration were the product availability, special product features, and past performance.

b) Per FAR 8.404(d), GSA has already determined FSS contract pricing to be fair and reasonable.

However, pricing will be evaluated based on similar items and the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). Additionally, IAW FAR 8.405-4, the Government will ask for a reduction in the current GSA pricing.

(6) A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted using GSA’s online shopping service, GSA Advantage!®, and GSA’s eLibrary, a searchable online data of all FSS contractors and available items. The LIT-GX Spectacles and RX Outserts are contained in multiple award schedule (MAS) 339113PA- Miscellaneous Apparel- Protective Apparel. Category 339113PA includes 169 contractors of which, only one, Gentex Corporation provides items that meet the USCG requirements.

(7) Any other facts supporting the justification.

The LIT-GX Spectacle meets the USCG LIT-LEP requirements, to include compatibility with a specific Rockwell-Collins color MFD Model 268C3, very narrow-banded near-infrared (NIR) protection, and predominant green laser-pointer protection. Additionally, the LIT-GX Spectacle design is compatible in the USCG aircraft: MH-60T, MH65E, and HC-144A.

(8) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that preclude the agency from meeting the requirements of 8.405-1 and 8.405-2 before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

The USCG’s ALSE Technical Services will continue to research alternate products equal in performance to the required characteristics. Technical specifications are in continual review and only the minimum requirements are stated within these characteristics.

As stated in section 6, the USCG has conducted research on other LEP to determine if they meet the requirements. Market research conducted for this effort shows that Gentex is the only vendor that