Brand Name Justification Slingmax.pdf

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

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Dollar Value of this Acquisition:

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.

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 Signature

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

Date 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.

https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/ https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/

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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 Crashed, Damaged, and Disabled Aircraft Recovery (CDDAR) program requests the procurement for replacement of four (4) Slingmax® brand-name Twin-Path® synthetic round slings. The required items are: Two

(2) custom 110 ft, 10,000 lb rated slings. and Two (2) custom 72 ft, 7,000 lb rated slings.

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

This is a new requirement for essential aircraft recovery equipment and will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract.

These slings are required to safely lift and maneuver damaged, disabled, or crashed aircraft in accordance with Air Force technical order 00-80C-1

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 Slingmax® Twin-Path® sling is the only synthetic sling that fully meets the unique safety and operational requirements for the Crashed, Damaged, and Disabled Aircraft Recovery (CDDAR) mission as outlined in Air Force Technical Order (TO) 00-80C-1, Crashed, Damaged, and Disabled Aircraft Recovery Manual. TO 00-80C-1, Section 5.4.4.1, explicitly identifies the Twin-Path® Round Sling as the required equipment due to its advanced safety features, which are critical for preventing catastrophic failure during high-risk aircraft lift operations. These unique, proprietary features are not available from other sling manufacturers and are essential for personnel safety and the protection of multi-million dollar aircraft assets. The required features are:

Fiber Optic Inspection System: This is a patented Slingmax® feature that allows recovery teams to visually inspect the internal load-bearing core fibers for damage from cuts, chemical exposure, or heat. No other sling provides this capability, making it impossible to verify the integrity of competitor slings after use.

External Warning Indicator (EWI): The EWI provides an immediate, external, pass/fail visual indication if the sling has been overloaded beyond its rated capacity. This is a critical safety function that prevents the unknowing reuse of a compromised sling.

Furthermore, standardizing on a single brand for critical, life-saving equipment is paramount for mission safety and effectiveness. The official Air Force CDDAR schoolhouse has standardized its curriculum on the use and inspection of Slingmax® Twin-Path® slings. As a result, our CDDAR team is already fully trained and certified on the specific procedures for this equipment. Our unit also currently utilizes Slingmax® slings in our inventory.

Introducing a different brand would necessitate costly retraining for the entire team, create a lapse in mission readiness, and pose a significant safety risk by having multiple, non-interchangeable inspection standards for critical lifting equipment.

Because these essential safety capabilities are proprietary to the Slingmax® brand and it is the established standard for training and operations within our unit and the Air Force CDDAR enterprise, this procurement must be restricted to Slingmax® products.

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

Market research has confirmed that while other companies manufacture synthetic slings, none offer the required proprietary safety features of a fiber-optic inspection cable and an external overload warning indicator. These features are deemed essential for safety during CDDAR operations.

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 fair and reasonable

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

The use of equipment specifically identified and trusted in Air Force technical orders is paramount. The slings being procured are for the direct support and execution of the installation's CDDAR plan. Failure of lifting equipment during a recovery operation could result in the total loss of an aircraft or, more importantly, severe injury or death of personnel. The specified Slingmax® features directly mitigate this risk.

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

The CDDAR Program Manager and the Contracting Squadron will continue to conduct market research for future procurements to identify alternative products that may become available with the same or superior safety and inspection capabilities.