BRASS II Approved JA Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for a sole-source acquisition under 10 USC 3204(a)(1) for B-1 Radar engineering and sustainment services.

The United States Air Force (AFLCMC/WBK at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma) is pursuing a follow-on non-commercial Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Northrop Grumman for B-1 Radar AN/APQ-164 engineering and support services. The estimated contract value is $76,594,768 over a five-year ordering period (12 February 2026 – 11 February 2031), comprising a one-year base period ($13.888M) and four one-year options ($14.193M, $14.506M, $14.825M, and $15.151M), plus a six-month extension option under FAR 52.217-8 ($4.030M). The contract will employ multiple contract types across ten Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs): Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF), Fixed-Price Level of Effort (FFP LOE), Cost-Reimbursable No Fee (CRNF), and Not Separately Priced (NSP). Services include personnel and equipment for analysis, design, building, manufacturing process improvements, testing, integration of advanced technology solutions to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources obsolescence issues, and sustainment of radar laboratory facilities. The anticipated award date is February 2026, with the notice of proposed contract action to be synopsized on sam.gov in December 2025.

The J&A justifies the sole-source award to Northrop Grumman based on their unique qualifications as the sole developer and manufacturer of the B-1 RADAR system, possessing proprietary engineering data, specialized expertise, and exclusive access to critical test facilities and equipment necessary for continued sustainment. Market research conducted on 18 December 2024 and 2 February 2024 confirmed only Northrop Grumman and BHPE LLC demonstrated interest; however, BHPE lacks access to proprietary data required to perform substantially. The document notes that reverse engineering the system would require 10-15 years and $1-2 billion in costs, making competitive acquisition impracticable. The Contracting Officer will ensure fair and reasonable pricing through certified cost or pricing data submissions reviewed by the Contracting Officer, Price Analyst, and potentially the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). The J&A was approved by the Senior Contracting Official on 26 March 2025.