ACQ-26-H82 DF Flight Recorders_Redacted.pdf

This is a Determination & Findings document for a sole-source procurement by the Air Force Technical Center (AFTC/PZZF). The contracting activity is procuring MIDS Flight Recorders (Part Number 1219204, Quantity 2 each) and Datakey Token Memory Kits for MIDS Flight Recorders (Part Number 1170995, Quantity 3 each) for the 412 Test Squadron. The contracting officer has justified the sole-source award under RFO 12.102(a) (Commercial Products and Services), determining that only one source is available for these items.

The determination establishes that L3 Technologies, Inc. (a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies, Inc.) is the Original Equipment Manufacturer and sole capable source for these specialized components. The technical analysis confirms that the MIDS Flight Recorders and Datakey Token Memory Kits rely on proprietary technical data and design architecture exclusively owned by L3Harris, with no compatible alternatives available from other manufacturers. These components represent the established legacy standard for flight-test telemetry and data extraction at Edwards Air Force Base and are integrated into the F-16 FINS flight-test configuration, existing instrumentation racks, telemetry interfaces, and baseline-certified software processing systems. The document notes that sourcing equipment from alternative manufacturers would require complete redesign, re-certification, and re-standardization of the flight-test instrumentation baseline, resulting in substantial duplicative costs and engineering delays that would impact active flight-test missions. The determination was signed by Susana Dryer, Contracting Officer, on September 1, 2026. The previous procurement of these exact items occurred under contract FA9302-23-P-0104 via a prior sole-source award to L3Harris.