C14 - Redacted Brand Name Justification.pdf

MEMORANDUM

Subj: BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION TO ACQUIRE ASCENT AEROSYSTEMS SPIRIT BRAND

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited Source Justification.”

This is a brand specific justification. Contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), 110 Vernon Avenue, Panama City, FL 32407-7001 (Contracts Department Code 02).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This action will award a firm fixed price purchase order, on a brand specific basis, to acquire Aerosystems LLC brand Spirit Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This UAV has been identified by the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team and is deemed critical to obtain, as it is a heavy lift vehicle that can be used to support various programs throughout Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) process. Competition will be limited to the lowest price authorized seller or reseller of Ascent Aerosystems LLC brand equipment.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs The purchase is to acquire:

Part Number Description Qty

K257 Spirit Core w/o Radio 3

KDE-CF215-DP KDE 21.5" Blades (set of 4) 3

BSLI-6000 Flight Battery (6000mAh) 7

LIC-1006-BAR Battery Charger, Spirit 3

SLG-410 Basic, Landing Gear Module 3

PMDDL2450 GPS/DDL Module, Spirit 3

TAB3GCS UXV Navigator Tab3 GCS w/ DDL Radio 3

SPDK-100 Payload Development Kit (PDK) Intermediate 1

SPDK-200 Payload Development Kit (PDK) Terminal 1

PEL-1615AIR Pelican Case, Spirit 3

The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements. This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures with a total dollar value above micro-purchase levels, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000.00. All equipment will be delivered no later than six (6) months after award of the order.

4. Identification of the justification rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Application for brand name description FAR 6.302-1(c).

The Spirit UAV is developed by Ascent Aerosystems LLC. The Spirit UAV is required to provide RDT&E support NSWC PCD programs. This purchase is brand specific for the following reason. The required Ascent Aerosystems LLC Spirit UAV is a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) vetted drone that provides the Department of Defense (DoD) users compliant and secure UAS. Each DIU vetted system has undergone a cyber-vulnerability assessment in accordance with the DIU Risk Management Framework and a FY20 Section 848 NDAA compliance check.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, reoccurring cost, administrative cost, engineering and redesign costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

This requirement will be synopsized on the Government Wide Point of Entry SAM.gov website per FAR 5.2. No additional market research was conducted for the reasons stated in paragraph 4.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None

7. A statement of the actions, if any, 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 is made.

As stated in paragraph 4 above, the Ascent Aerosystems LLC brand equipment is the only brand that can meet the requirement.