Attachment 3-Brand Name KI Letter.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

07 Feb 2025

MEMORANDUM FOR 82 CONS/PKA

FROM: 361 TRS/CC

SUBJECT: Brand Name Requirements Justification

1. Description of the Supplies/Services: Purchase and installation of KI manufactured adaptive training classroom tables to support new, competency based innovative commercial trainers for overhauled AGE Apprentice Course. Specifically, KI’s SUEAA3672 Stout Rectangular 36” Adjustable Tables are required to support Competency Based Training in collaborative and hands-on methods. Currently, there is no classroom test stand to the support brand new commercial trainers being acquired for this course overhaul. All current classroom test stands already owned which could be scrounged that might accommodate the new trainers is damaged, worn, and doesn’t facilitate student centric nor adaptive training methodologies.

The requested items have been purchased by the 82TRW/TOF Faculty Development, 82 TRG, and 363 TRS. The test stand requested is also what newly assigned instructors are using during Faculty Development training. These items were selected to facilitate innovative training methodologies, foster collaboration, and support new trainers ordered for course rewrite and complete overhaul. Together, these tables and new trainers will significantly enhance learning experiences for AiTs in the AGE Apprentice Course.

2. Efforts to Obtain Competition: 361 TRS/TRR has contacted three different companies to purchase requested test stand and seating. A review of GSA Advantage confirmed only KI can provide the test stand to match what we currently need. Other third-party vendors do offer the test stand part numbers when doing Google and Bing searches.

3. Market Research: To the best of our knowledge, KI is the only known company that has the different types of test stands available and that meets the requirement standards IAW FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(B) and FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(C). We were not successful in finding an alternate commercial solution that has all three options readily available and/or provide a 2-month price guarantee.

4. Other Factors: Purchasing this test stand provided by KI will enable 361’s AGE Training Flight to execute new Career Field directed course renovation to include equipment agnostic, commercial trainers. Overall, the new test stand presents an updated, modernized, and very professional atmosphere. The test stand fosters open communication in the space. The size of the test stand is also a factor since this training environment must allow participants to physically navigate trainers on this test stand during hands-on practice, collaborative activities, safety protocols, and capstone demonstrations. The test stand attributes have been highly sought after by multiple training organizations to implement in their training environments because of the personnel training experiences in the organizations listed previously.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

5. A Statement Of The Actions, If Any, The Agency May Take To Remove Or Overcome Any Barriers To Competition Before Making Subsequent Acquisitions For The Supplies Or Services Required. 82TRW/TOF has reviewed two other sources of KI test stands. None of them have been able to provide the full requirement and meet the unique and diverse needs of our training environment. I believe it is in the Government’s best interest to reserve this requirement for the KI brand name.

ALEXANDRA P. GEGEN, Maj, USAF Commander, 361st Training Squadron

1st Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

The above justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer

2d Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

Approved/Disapproved

Chief, Base/ Specialized Acquisition Team

1558292977C Cross-Out