BOSS HNAE-2024-0018_justification_and_approval_document(JA) 18 June 2025_Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

AFLCMC/HNAK FA2291

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

An individual J&A is for a single contract. This is a new contract action. Due to the commercial nature of this requirement, the resulting contract will be Firm Fixed Price.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The Tactical Data Networks Laboratory (TDN Lab) requires support and updates to the existing system and the purchase of an additional system to expand the capabilities of the lab with increasing demands for support within the HNA portfolio.

Tactical Communication Group (TCG) Battlefield Operations Support System (BOSS) operating software: A comprehensive, high-fidelity, standards-based Tactical Data Link (TDL) simulation capability critical for testing and validating TDL platform integrations, and operations. BOSS supports a variety of Department of Defense (DoD) message format, such as Link 22, Link 16, Link 11, VMF, CESMO, Cursor-on-Target, SADL, JREAP-A, JREAP-C, Serial-J, DIS, SIMPLE, AIS, ADS-B, and GPS data links, and protocols.

IV. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above.

This justification is required due to the unique capabilities/supplies possessed by only one contractor/vendor, TCG BOSS advanced, standards-compliant tactical data link simulation and test software solution. TCG BOSS is the tactical data link testing and platform integration solution allowing users to create immersive and realistic simulations, integrating command and control (C2) assets into the test environment. With industry-leading usability, BOSS provides multi-TDL network simulation with comprehensive and quick message scripting and generation including platform simulation, network-enabled weapons, threats, targets, and more to simulate realistic scenarios in a matter of minutes. TCG is the only source for updates and support as well as the only source for equipment. The Link-16 testing and simulation market is small and specialized due to the restricted nature of the information available and the user base restricted to DOD and Trusted Partner Nations.

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions' (CWDS) unique software combines the testing and simulation in one program, speeds test, and allows for an iterative process to rapidly evaluate various scenarios and test setups. Additionally, BOSS is used at USAF and NATO test facilities. Having the same software as these agencies allows for ingestion of test data without the need to use potentially error-prone conversion software. The only other test suites that are similar to BOSS are some GOTS software and Viasat's ARMS, LEGS, and TOES suite. These other solutions are not in common use, and generate data in formats that are incompatible with BOSS. The GOTS solution, in particular, utilizes non-intuitive interfaces, are error-prone, and require the use of several programs that are incompatible with one another.

The TDN Lab has determined that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. The TDN lab has already invested in one BOSS system but requires system updates to stay current with cybersecurity requirements. Without updates, the system cannot be used to evaluate currently fielded capabilities, and the lab would lose the investment of in the current system.

To move to another solution (i.e., VIASAT or GOTS), would result in the loss of several hundred man-hours spent collecting test data rendered obsolete, creating testing schema's rendered unusable, training time invested in the BOSS, converting data where and if possible, and training needed to transition to a new system. The current requirement is to have two complete systems. A solution other than the BOSS would require the purchase of two systems from the new vendor which is not currently provided for on the approved budget.

The TDN Lab evaluated the functionality obtained with the GOTS solution. Training is nonexistent and the programs are not well documented. The software was designed for very narrow use cases which do not align with the types of test scenarios the TDN Lab needs to utilize. Setting up the GOTS solution is time-consuming and non-intuitive. If an error is made during setup, misleading data would be generated, potentially leading to the rejection of a promising system for use by the USAF.

Accordingly, CWDS is the only firm capable of providing the supplies and services described in Section III above without the Government experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be recovered through competition.

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V. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under

FAR 5.202 applies.

The Request for Information (RFI) was posted on SAM.gov on January 31, 2025 through February 14, 2025. During this time, only one vendor provided a quote, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (CWDS). CWDS is the sole manufacturer of the TCG BOSS. There are no distributors. This includes installation and maintenance.

VI. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The requirement is a commercially available item, readily obtainable through established market channels. This availability, coupled with the competitive nature of the commercial market, ensures fair and reasonable pricing by allowing for comparison shopping. If unable to determine price fair and reasonable, the Contracting Officer may request other than certified pricing data.

VII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

The Request for Information (RFI) was posted on SAM.gov on January 31, 2025 through February 14, 2025. During this time, only one vendor provided a quote, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (CWDS). CWDS is the sole manufacturer of the TCG BOSS. There are no distributors. This includes installation and maintenance. We have also reached out to CWDS to inquire about any small business or sub-contractor availability as part of our market research in January 2025. CWDS responded that they are the only source for the materials and support.

VIII. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

N/A

IX. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Tactical Communication Group (TCG) a subsidiary of Curtiss-Wright Corporation.

X. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

TDN Lab personnel routinely search for faster, better, and cheaper alternatives to systems used in supporting HNA programs and projects. Research is conducted via webinar, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with industry partners, and reaching out to laboratory partners in the USAF technical community to maintain cognizance of current technology trends.

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

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