Attachment 3 - JA 13.501_11Sept2020_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY

4555 OVERLOOK AVE SW

WASHINGTON, DC 20375-5320

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Under Simplified Procedures For Certain Commercial Items In Accordance With Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.5

PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 81-2009-20

/ 1300863834

J&A NO: J&A13.501-20-NA02

Estimated Cost:

On the basis of the following, I, as the Contracting Officer,, hereby approve the use of a sole source proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of :

X 41 U.S.C. 1901 ☐ 41 U.S.C. 1903

1. The U.S. Department of Navy; Naval Research Laboratory Contracting Division proposes to enter into a brand name sole source contract with Spirent Communications, under simplified procedures for certain commercial items included in FAR subpart 13.5.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved, i.e., sole source under procedures for certain commercial items in accordance with FAR 13.5.

The Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves of a brand name or equal contract under procedures for certain commercial items in accordance with FAR Subpart 13.5. The Naval Research Laboratory has a requirement for a high frequency, wide-band, multiple channel, channel emulation system capable of applying calculated channel degradation models real time to RF signals. Spirent Communications is the manufacturer of the Vertex Channel Emulator and has authorized resellers. This is a new commercial item requirement and will be a firm fixed price contract. The Vertex Channel Emulator is the only brand with the flexibility to add frequencies and channels that can fulfill all of the specifications as outlined in the requirement.

3. A description of the supplies and/or services required, including the delivery schedule and/or the period of performance (inclusive of all option periods), and the estimated dollar value of the acquisition.

The Spirent channel emulator, product number VCE6-8B6-2D2 with all optional equipment shall provide for 16 unidirectional RF channels; 128 digital links, RF bandwidth up to 200 MHz, a frequency range from 30 MHz to 6 GHz on all RF channels, a frequency range up to 28 GHz on at least 4 of the RF channels, an RF input level range of -50 to +15 dBm at 0.1dB resolution, an RF output level range of -110 to -10 dBm at

0.1 dB resolution, capable of applying 0 to 40dB of relative path loss, capable of applying 12kHz of Doppler shift to a channel, the channel emulator system shall provide channel modeling software capable of modeling a channel and applying the configuration to the hardware, provide the capability to replay stored complex recorded or analytically generated signals, provide the capability to emulate channel models including four node mesh networks, provide for the capability to emulate dynamic channels in which one or more of the endpoints are in simulated motion and provide a remote programming interface with TCP/IP connectivity. The period of performance will be performed in thirty (30) days.

4. The statutory authority permitting sole source.

Authority for simplified procedures for certain commercial items under 41 U.S.C. 1901.

X 41 U.S.C. 1901 ☐ 41 U.S.C. 1903

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the

JA 13.501_11Sept2020.doc pg. 2 action requiring use of the authority.

The government requires a channel emulator which provides simultaneous wide frequency coverage, wide channel bandwidth and high channel count in addition to various advanced channel models for mesh networking among a multitude of nodes and the ability to record and play back channel data as well as play out simulated data. The emulator system must also be able to provide emulation of multiple moving nodes simultaneously over a geographic model for both recorded and live data. The Spirent Communications emulator is the only solution that simultaneously meets the frequency coverage, bandwidth, and channel counts required while also providing an in system ability to capture and replay live and simulated data.

Similarly the Spirent Communications solution is the only solution identified providing the required mesh architectures with sufficient channel counts to meet the government needs. Based upon these unique qualifications only the Spirent Communications emulator meets the government needs for this acquisition.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers/quotes are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized in FEDBIZOPPS (as required by FAR 5.2) and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

A Sources Sought/Request for Information was posted to the General Services Administration’s e-Buy and on Contract Opportunities from 07/28/2020 to 8/8/2020. In addition, the Government compared this requirement to another channel simulator which was posted to Contract Opportunities under N00173-20- RFI-NA03. This RFI received five responses before it closed on 9/9/2020. Discussions with the COR indicated the key differences were in the number of channels, mesh networking models, the wider frequency range and the ability to record and playback captured or simulated data.

Market research found only one company able to fulfill the requirement as specified. However, market research indicated that one other company, , was interested but determined unable to fulfill the requirement. Given this, the contract specialist contacted the manufacturer, Spirent Communications, for other authorized resellers. A capability statement was received from and . Both were determined able to fulfill the requirement by the COR.

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable.

The anticipated price to the Government for a high frequency, wide-band, multiple channel, channel emulation system capable of applying calculated channel degradation models real time to complex RF signals . I hereby determine the anticipated price to the Government for this action executed under this J&A to be fair and reasonable by employing price reasonableness in accordance with FAR Part 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii) & (v).

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or the reason market research was not conducted.

In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research has been conducted for this acquisition. The marketplace for such an emulation system small. NRL continually watches and communicates with all of the manufacturers in this market. Nevertheless, the Contract Specialist communicated with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and other knowledgeable people in Government and industry regarding the commercial nature of this requirement and standard industry practice in this area. This acquisition is a commercial supply as defined in FAR Subpart 2.101. Market research found three small businesses capable of fulfilling the requirement as specified. Market research shows that only one manufacturer, Spirent Communications, is capable of fulfilling the requirement as specified. It has been determined this will be a name brand or equal procurement and this requirement is of a commercial nature that can be performed in thirty (30) days after contract award.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of sole source.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/05.htm#P56_9651 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/05.htm#P67_10794

JA 13.501_11Sept2020.doc pg. 3

Due to the nature of NRL’s requirement, Spirent Communications is the only manufacturer that can fulfill the specifications. Award of any other brand would greatly impact NRL’s ability to fulfill the essential services provided by the

. Other manufacturers may be able to modify their current equipment. However, such modifications could take up to a year to deliver. Such a delay would impact current and future projects by making test more expensive. The code would have to hire an aircraft and perform field test which can produce similar results though with a limited scope due to the time and cost commitment.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

11. A statement of any actions the agency will take to remove or overcome any future barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

NRL has no plans at this time to procure or compete future contracts for the type of equipment and services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, or new technology is developed which can advance future research, NRL will assess whether competition for a future requirement is feasible.

JA 13.501_11Sept2020 (002).doc pg. 4

CERTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance that are included in this justification and that form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate. I understand that the processing of this justification precludes full and open competition.

SIGNATURE(Requestor) (Print name/title) CODE PHONE DATE

, Electronics Engineer

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

On the basis of the justification, I determined that it is legally sufficient.

SIGNATURE(Legal) (Print name/title) CODE PHONE DATE

Legal Counsel

CONTRACTING OFFICER (IF > $150,000 AND <700,000): (Procurement Office use Only)

I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

On the basis of the justification, I hereby approve the use of a sole source proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of X 41 U.S.C. 1901 41 U.S.C. 1903

SIGNATURE(Contracting Officer) (Print name/title) CODE PHONE DATE

, Contracting Officer