BOSS limited_sources_J_and_A_Final_Redacted.pdf

Limited Sources Justification and Approval (J&A)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Installation Contracting Center (AFICC), 763d Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Acquisition Flight B (763 ESS/PKB), 510 POW/MIA Drive, Bldg. P40, Suite E1004, Scott AFB, IL. 62225-5022. The Contracting Officer for this requirement is Major James E. Thompson, III, and can be reached at 618-256-9940. This is a Limited Sources Justification. The purchase request number is F3SF380255A001.

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

The 763 ESS/PKB intends to issue a new, Firm Fixed Price (FFP) delivery order against TCG's GSA schedule #GS-24F-0030M. Delivery shall be made within 90 days ARO.

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

HQ AMC/A3CJ requires a Battlefield Operations Support System (BOSS) Training Suite. The purpose of this requirement is to allow Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft to seamlessly integrate into NATO training exercises. BOSS Ground Training System (GTS) basic configuration is comprised of a terminal server with integrated client workstation capabilities, a terminal housing rack and a Link-16 antenna for ground based operations. The basic configuration is capable of operating as a complete Link-16 ground station with the addition of a Link-16 Terminal and antenna cabling.

The functional capabilities are based on the TCG-2000 BOSS with the ability to have multiple remote client workstations for access to the Data Link Network via the server and a Link-16 Terminal.

The GTS allows the user to participate in a live network and to inject a simulated tactical situation. The embedded data link message scripting capability in the server enables the user to interact with "live" network participants. The embedded simulator enables a user to generate a simulated tactical scenario and "play" it over the "live" network. In addition, the user can monitor the network on the tactical situation display and control the operation of the Link-16 terminal remotely from the client workstation. The GTS can be configured as the Net Time Reference (NTR) or as a network participant. The record and playback function supports pre-recorded scenarios and mission recording and playback for post-mission analysis and debriefings. The following items are required:

Part Number: Nomenclature: QTY: Price: Total Price:

TCG-2000 GTS LE Ground Tactical Data Link Bundle System Includes: 4 TCG-2000 GTS GTS Single Link 16 Capable (workstation model)

TCG-JREAP C JREAP C

TCG- TR w/ANT Terminal Housing Rack with Antenna TCG-ETR External Time Reference TCG-SIT Tactical Cockpit Display N/A Documentation and Manuals

TCG-CW Client Workstation with Dual Monitor 4 Installation Installation & Checkout 4 TCG-SADL SADL Interface 4 TCG-DIS DIS Interface 4 TCG-JREAP A JREAP A Upgrade 4 TCG-LoS Line of Sight Visualization Software 8 TCG-ADS-B ADS-B IN Interface 4 TCG-MAST Portable Antenna Mast 4 Notch Duel Frequency Notch Filter 4 TCG-PSG GTS Product Support Gold - GTS 4

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 4

Total:

Delivery will be 90 days ARO. This requirement will use O&M funds for purchase.

IV. Identification of the justification/rationale for limiting sources and demonstration of the contractor's unique qualifications to provide the required supply/service.

FAR 8.405-6 requires an ordering activity to justify its actions when restricting consideration of scheduled contractors to fewer than required in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), "Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work".

TCG is the original developer of the required BOSS software and holds the exclusive proprietary rights. There are no authorized resellers. The TCG BOSS software is used by the lead MAJCOM Air Combat Command (ACC) experts in the field exclusively, to allow users to participate in a live network and to inject a simulated tactical situation. The TCG training suite is also used by our Combat Air Forces (CAF) counterparts to ensure they can operate in contested environments as well as day-to-day permissive environments. The BOSS Training Suite will allow AMC to train its crews in order to “play” in scenarios over a “live” network. It is imperative that Mobility Air Forces (MAF), which includes AMC, aircrew train on the same TCG BOSS training suite. The equipment used by AMC must meet certain requirements in order to be used in the existing networks already operated by Air Forces and NATO forces to connect to the Common Link System (CLS).The procurement of the complete TCG BOSS training Suite ensures compatibility of the training systems while also allowing the MAF to leverage lead MAJCOM efforts to reduce sustainment costs, utilize existing training materials and procedures, and minimize time required to field this capability to ensure the MAF is able to operate as part of the Joint Force in contested, near-peer environments. TCG is the only source capable of providing this requirement.

V. Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with

FAR 8.404(d).

In accordance with Department of Defense Class Deviation 2014-O0011, the ordering activity contracting officer (CO) must make a determination of fair and reasonable pricing for individual orders awarded under Federal Supply Schedules, using the proposal analysis techniques at Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.404-1. Since this is a sole source acquisition, adequate price competition, which normally establishes a fair and reasonable price, will not be achieved. The CO anticipates using the price analysis techniques at FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii), (iv), and (vi), comparison of proposed price to historical prices paid; comparison with competitive published price lists; and comparison of proposed price with prices obtained through market research for the same or similar items to ensure the cost to the Government is fair and reasonable. Additionally, the CO will consider the associated costs the Government would incur if a system was used that is not seamlessly compatible with existing equipment. Special features previously discussed, such as the proprietary nature of the BOSS software and the need for equipment to interface as one integrated solution within existing training processes and platforms, demonstrate how an order to only TCG will allow for best value and effective program performance.

VI. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or explain why market research was not conducted.

BOSS equipment and software is complex and technical. The mission partner provided intricate details of the requirement which shaped market research. Meetings were held between the Contracting Officer and the Subject Matter Expert (SME) at AMC/A3 to discuss the requirement as well as initial market research and product description documentation prepared

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 4 of 4 by their office. GSA was surveyed as a possible best in class vehicle and a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) (GS-24F-0030M) with all items required on the schedule was identified. In addition, other Air Force contracting activities were identified as having purchased similar requirements (FA9302-Edwards AFB, FA8730-Hanscom AFB, FA2823-Eglin AFB). Each office was contacted to obtain the acquisition strategy utilized. All locations confirmed the same strategy using Limited Source Justification and Approval (LSJA) purchasing directly from TCG, LLC through GSA MAS contract (GS-24F-0030M).

TCG, LLC was contacted and confirmed in writing that the software is proprietary and there are no authorized resellers

VII. Other facts supporting the justification.

N/A

VIII. Actions 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.

Technology is constantly evolving in this field. Currently, other software is being designed to replace BOSS.

This software is called Scalable Portable Integrated Data Router (SPIDR), a Government off the Shelf (GOTS) software being developed as a free replacement to BOSS. Currently, this software is still in testing phase in Alaska at Link 16 facilities and is not ready for crew member use. It will be considered as a replacement in the future, prior to any subsequent acquisition for the supplies being procured.

IX. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

X. 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.