Brand Name_IXI Technologies_REDACTED.pdf

Brand Name/Sole Source Justification under $250K

PMD Number:

Department: D21

Company Name/Brand: IXI Technologies

Description of Product, Supplies or Services required to meet the agency’s needs:

NTDS-A/B Circuit Card (part number SE-02108-01) and NTDS-E Circuit Card (part number SE-04102- 00) Circuit cards help electronic devices perform essential tasks like computing, communicating, and transferring data. The main purpose of a circuit card is to send electronic signals to other components of an electronic device.

Identification of Justification Rational:

☒ The Material or service must be compatible will aspects (Form, Fit, and Function) with existing systems presently installed.

☐ A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

☐ These are “direct replacement(s)” parts/components for existing equipment.

☐ Urgency.

Identification of the Justification Rationale Explained: **If using form, fit, and function, describe the current equipment and how the new item/service must coordinate or interface.

**If using patent, copyright, proprietary data, describe the proprietary data. **If using direct replacement, describe this below.

NSWC PHD requires the use of the following circuit card assemblies within the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) v5.6.1 configurations: IXI Technology branded NTDS-E Card part number SE-04102-00 and IXI Technology branded NTDS-A Card part number SE-02108-01. The IXI NTDS-A/B CCA (part number SE-02108-01) found within the engineering drawing for the Rack Mounted Processor (RMP) interfaces externally with the Weapons Special Network (WSN-7); an Inertial Navigation System (INS) onboard all Arleigh- Burke-class destroyers and Vertical Launch System (VLS). The PCI Express (PCIe) NTDS Parallel board connects computers with PCIe slots to military computers and peripherals with MIL-STD-1397C Type A, B, C, or H interfaces. Hardware-independent input and output channels allow the NTDS ABCH PCIe board to perform simultaneous input and output (full duplex) operations. Similarly, the IXI NTDS-E CCA (part number SE-04102-00) found within the engineering drawing for the RMP interfaces externally with the Launch Control Unit (LCU), which selects and issue prelaunch and launch commands to missiles. The PCI Express (PCIe) NTDS Serial Card connects computers with PCIe slots to military computers and peripherals with MIL-STD-1397C Type D or E interfaces. Hardware-independent input and output channels allow the NTDS ABCH PCIe board to perform simultaneous input and output (full duplex) operations. The NTDS-E CCA provides one NTDS serial interface for computer systems with an x1 PCIe slot.

These IXI Technology branded NTDS-E Card part number SE-04102-00 and IXI Technology branded NTDS-A Card part number SE-02108-01 are the only circuit card assemblies that have passed EQT and are therefore listed on the relevant approved NAVSEA drawings number 9749324 and 9749325. Any fielded weapons system that is to be installed must first pass Environmental Qualifications Testing (EQT). EQT regulations call for any assembly, in this case the RMP, to pass all EQT using the same configuration of components, assembled in the same manner in order for that configuration to be approved for production and installation. The RMP 8749500 has passed EQT using the IXI NTDS-A/B CCA SE-02108-01 and IXI NTDS-E CCA SE-04102-00. Therefore, these are the only circuit card assemblies that are authorized for use within the TEC Rack for the TTWCS v5.6.1.

Specific Characteristics of the Item or Service required that Limit the Availability to a Sole Source or Brand Name: **This is the most important section. Explain in detail why this company or brand are the only ones that can meet the requirement.

Since the IXI Technology branded NTDS-E Card part number SE-04102-00 and IXI Technology branded NTDS-A Card part number SE-02108-01 are the only circuit card assemblies that have passed EQT and are therefore listed on the relevant approved NAVSEA drawings, they are the only brand and parts that are authorized for use within the TTWCS v5.6.1.

As stated above, the IXI Technology branded NTDS-E Card part number SE-04102-00 and IXI Technology branded NTDS-A Card part number SE-02108-01 are the only circuit card assemblies that have passed EQT and are listed on the approved NAVSEA drawings, and, therefore, IXI Technology is the only brand of circuit card assemblies authorized for use within the TTWCS v5.6.1. Since no other brand of circuit card assemblies is authorized to be used within the TTWCS v5.6.1, the use of another brand would require the new brand to pass a new EQT and a drafting of new approved drawings to account for the new brand of parts. This process would result in a substantial duplication of cost of approximately $220K that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Further, this process would result in a delay of approximately 6-12 months. This delay would be unreasonable since it would cause us to miss the delivery date of assets intended to support an installation.

Market Research Conducted:

Numerous sources were contacted to (1) assess material requirement compatibility (i.e., does the material meet our requirements), (2) obtain pricing information, and (3) obtain product availability. We looked at product, price, and availability information for all required items from all Mandatory Sources first. Neither Federal Supply System, FEDMALL nor GSA Advantage were able to provide us with all the items needed. These parts are in a system that has not yet been Fleet released and has a Navy Supply Material Support Date (MSD) of November 2023.

External sources were sought via email and only received one response with an estimate for all items sought. Shore Solutions is on a GSA contract, but submitted an incomplete quote for only two of the three items sought. Digikey, Part Target, and Mouser provided a quote on only one item sought. The estimate is derived from the only complete list of parts for the requirement from Just In Time (JIT) Electronics.

Statement of Actions, if any to Remove Barriers to Competition in the Future:

NSWC PHD Contracts Office will continue to conduct market research as warranted to provide a broader vendor base as applicable for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NSWC PHD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

Contracting Officer:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Signature:

Gary Kramer, Contracting Officer, 0271 Phone No. 805-228-8807 Date

Legal Counsel:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Legal Office:

Julianne Surane, Assistant Counsel Phone No. 805-228-8520 Date