B-SSJ- Redacted.doc

7 August 2021

MEMORANDUM

SUBJ: SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION MEMORANDUM TO ACQUIRE LANDING CRAFT AIR CUSHION 100 CLASS (LCAC-100) LIFT FANAND PROPELLER BALANCING EQUIPMENT (PR 1300953378)

Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited Source Justification.”

This is a sole source justification. Contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), 110 Vernon Avenue, Panama City, FL 32407-7001 (Contracts Department Code 02).

Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This action will award a firm fixed price purchase order to the following: Technology for Energy Corporation Aces Systems Division 10737 Lexington Drive Knoxville, TN 37932-3294 CAGE Code 3X699

This purchase will be on a sole source basis for required balancing equipment for the LCAC-100 Class Propeller and Lift Fan Assemblies installed on the LCAC-100 Class test units at NSWC PCD.

A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This requirement is to purchase the following:

Manufacturer # Description Quantity

Z4041-SSC-PROTO

Kit, Prototype, Viper-2E for LCAC-100

4 EA

The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements. This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures with a total dollar value above micro-purchase levels, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000.00. All equipment will be delivered no later than fifteen (15) weeks after award of the order. The purchase will be funded with FY 2020 Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation of (RDT&E funds) Identification of the justification rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, FAR 6.302-1:

The LCAC-100 Class is currently in production by Textron Systems, Marine and Land Systems (TMLS). LCAC-100 machinery, like all high speed rotary components, must be balanced periodically to maintain safe stress levels within components during operation. The propeller and lift fan systems require highly specialized equipment that’s capable of capturing uniquebalance coefficients for each rotor and then utilize that data for a sufficient balance solution. The equipment must also have a simple setup and procedure in order to be effectively used by technicians or sailors who have no background expertise. This purchase is to obtain the subject components in order to support balancing activities of the LCAC-100 Propeller and Lift Fan assemblies at NSWC PCD.

This acquisition is unsuitable for full and open competition for the following reason: The LCAC-100 propeller and lift fans are highly unique rotary systems that require equipment specialized in balancing. The Viper 2E system provided by ACES systems is the only Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) system, that has been tested by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), which has the capability to adequately balance LCAC-100 rotating systems. The Viper 2E is specifically designed for the end user; sailors and technicians by utilizing simplified setup processes and equipment installation. The Viper 2E is in the process of acquiring a National Stock Number (NSN) and has been ruggedized to military standards for Environmental and electromagnetic interference (EMI) (MIL-T-28800 and MIL-STD-461G) at the direction of NAVAIR. ACES Systems is the provider of balancing equipment for the legacy LCAC fleet and has consistently demonstrated their capability and support. Alternative manufacturer’s balance systems were explored by the shipbuilder Textron Marine on LCAC-100 class craft and were not successfully demonstrated. ACES Systems as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Viper 2E holds the proprietary rights to the product. If the balance equipment were to be sourced by another manufacturer, additional time and expense would be necessary to design and develop equipment that is compatible with the existing LCAC-100 lift fans and propellers. That extra time and expense would eclipse any foreseeable savings realized by using another part provided by a different manufacturer.

A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, reoccurring costs, special features, administrative costs, engineering and redesign costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

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

This requirement will be synopsized on the Commercial Opportunities website at SAM.gov per FAR 5.2. No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 4 above for any other source to perform the requirement.

Any other facts supporting the justification. None.

A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

As stated in paragraph 4 above, Technology for Energy Corporation, Aces Systems Division is the only source that can meet the requirement.

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