Brand Name Justification.pdf

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

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For use when a justification and approval as described in RFO 6.104 is required, to include restricting competition under Part 12 for acquisitions valued over SAT.

Dollar Value of this Acquisition: < $10M > $10M and < $100M > $100M and < $500M > $500M

CERTIFICATIONS: CO certification serves as J&A approval < $10M, See J&A Template Guidance at https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/ AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory J&A Template Guidance tab

Date

16 September 2026

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity MSgt Jonathan M. Peavy

437 OSS, 843-963-4377

Signature

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

Date

17 September 2026

Contracting Officer Roger D. Crews

628 CONS/PKA, 843-963-3568

Signature

I certify that the supporting data herein, which is my responsibility, is accurate and complete.

COORDINATION

APPROVALS ( RFO 6.104-2(a) Table 6-1 & R-DFARS 206.104-72 Table 206.1)

See J&A Template Guidance (https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/ Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory) - Justification Approvals tab

NOTE 1: A signature block will appear here (replacing these notes) based on the "Dollar Value of this Acquisition" selected above. Since most digital signatures that include date/time-stamps are redacted before they are made publicly available, always insert the date in the “Date” cell when affixing a digital signature to this document.

PEAVY.JONATHAN.MO

LINARI M.1295457739

Digitally signed by

PEAVY.JONATHAN.MOLINARI

M.1295457739 Date: 2026.09.16 15:32:29 -04'00'

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

628th Contracting Squadron, 101 E. Hill Blvd. Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404-5021.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

The 437th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), requests the procurement of two (2) L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (L3 Harris) brand-name AN/PRC-163 dual-channel handheld radio systems (P/N: RF-335M-HH001) and associated cables.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

This is a new requirement and will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract.

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

RFO 12.201-1 Simplified Procedures, 41 U.S.C. 1901

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

The L3 Harris AN/PRC-163 dual-channel handheld radio system is the only tactical transceiver that comprehensively meets the operational, security, and integration requirements of the 437 OSS for secure, ground-to-air communications during drop zone (DZ) control operations. The unit currently lacks a fielded secure radio system, creating an immediate operational capability gap for ground-based controllers communicating with C-17A and other tactical airframes. The AN/PRC-163 is uniquely required because it is the only NSA-certified, dual-channel handheld radio that supports the proprietary waveforms --specifically SATURN, WREN, TSM, and PHANTOM WRAITH --that are mandatory for secure, interoperable ground-to-air voice and data links.

Furthermore, the AN/PRC-163's dual-channel capability allows a single Drop Zone Controller to simultaneously manage local ground team coordination on one channel while maintaining secure, long-range links to incoming aircraft on the other.

Without this specific brand-name system, 437 OSS controllers will remain unable to conduct secure communications with inbound aircraft, directly preventing the unit from safely managing drop zones, achieving "combat mission ready" status, and executing Wing and Joint Force Command tactical taskings. Because these critical waveforms and dual-channel operational profiles are exclusive to L3Harris, this procurement must be restricted to L3 Harris brand-name.

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

This requirement will be solicited as a competitive brand-name requirement on a total small business basis via SAM.gov.

Offer evaluations will be conducted IAW RFO 52.212-2 and include the evaluation of price and past performance.

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

The Contracting Officer is responsible for evaluating, determining, and documenting the anticipated contract cost/price is

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VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

The 628th Contracting Squadron and the Requirement Owner will continue market research to identify alternative vendors and products capable of fulfilling Government radio requirements.