C5 SIL MX 2025 JA REDACTED.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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SIL Maintenance: SIL equipment is needed to accomplish software integration testing and allow engineering a venue to accomplish studies and analysis of software issues in lieu of using aircraft to determine the root cause of a software anomaly.

Engineering Support: There will be several planning meetings between the Government and to produce the initial path forward for future efforts.

The total estimated contract value for the 12-month Period of Performance is .

The costs for this effort were estimated based on actuals from past contracts as this is a follow on contract where the C-5 SPO is asking the Contractor to perform the same tasks accomplished on previous contracts.

The funding to be utilized on this effort is Sustainment funding.

Intellectual property is not being purchased under this contract.

IV. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above.

The agency's minimum needs can only be satisfied by the supplies or services available from , who possesses the unique capabilities, technical data, and specialized test equipment required to perform this effort as described herein. This is a follow-on contract to FA8525-18-D-0001 for C-5 Software Maintenance, a sole- source contract awarded to 16 May 2018 and expired 15 May 2024 (order performance through 14 May 2025) and is for the continued provision of highly specialized services.

AFLCMC/WLSAC has determined that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. is the sole designer, developer, and OEM of the C-5 aircraft, including the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and Reliability Enhancement Re-engineering Program (RERP) software configurations. has proprietary software, drawings, design and manufacturing technical data, and unique test equipment that is required to develop and integrate software solutions for the C-5 aircraft that entered service in 1968. Further, stated numerous times (i.e., in 2003, 2013, 2018, 2023, and 2025) that they have no interest in selling their Technical Data Package (TDP)/ proprietary data to the Government or authorizing Government Purpose Rights.

The cost of redesigning multiple Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCIs) with another contractor is estimated to be over according to Government Avionics Subject Matter Experts because a new contractor would have to develop new source code partitions, test scripts, test documentation, install new hardware and wiring, retrofit at least two aircraft for test, and both develop and conduct an extensive laboratory, ground and flight test program to qualify the new software to operate the C-5 aircraft.

Moreover, this estimate does not include the cost of the new vendor to build support equipment to test software on aircraft hardware before any aircraft modifications could take place. The organic sustainment element would also incur of required changes to duplicate the new avionics systems. Therefore, these costs drastically outweigh any benefit to the Government.

Originally, there were 131 C-5 aircraft. After the AMP and RERP programs, the fleet was reduced to a total of , which is the current fleet number. The AMP and RERP efforts were massive upgrades to the C-5 platform. The AMP upgrade included the installation of a glass cockpit, upgraded avionics suite, and new software to control the aircraft mission systems and a new autopilot system. The RERP into the platform to increase reliability with additional upgraded avionics, new engines, August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 6 and over reliability enhancements.

This effort is governed by a entered into by the Government and under the Software Modernization contract on 20 June 2013 and amended on 31 May 2016 for certain technical data and software. Previous aircraft modifications under AMP and RERP introduced modem digital avionics along with a significant amount of software in the form of Operational Flight Programs (OFPs) to the C-5 aircraft. The gave the Government the right to perform organic updates to certain components of the AMP/RERP systems and software. The information obtained through the cannot be released to contractors or entities outside the Government. Further, the was not all inclusive and significant software pieces continue to remain proprietary to and its various sub-vendors. The defines what computer software items are delivered with their respective limitations and rights, as follows:

Standard Rights Categories - Category I, II, III, IV, V, VI Category IV (Limited - Reference Only) - Display Services, Communication Navigation & Surveillance Integration, Backup Integrator Processor (BIP) Category V (Limited - Partnership) - Multi-Functional Display Unit Application Client Category VI (Government Purpose) - (Personal Computer Interface Unit (PCIU), Air Management Controller (AMC), Memory Loader Verifier (ML V), Panels.

If data could be procured, it would take at least four years for another vendor to perform: one. year to compete, source, select, and put on contract a new entity to fulfill this contract and then three to five years to have all the necessary equipment in place and the requisite personnel with the proper experience.

Without the SIL MX piece in place, the Replacement Multi-Functional Control Display (RMCD) program would grind to a halt. Without RMCD, the C-5 will be grounded by 2027. The existing Multi-Function Display Unit (MFDU) that the RMCD is replacing is unsustainable, and RMCD provides the necessary flight displays for the aircrew. Without RMCD's replacement of the MFDUs, the aircraft cannot fly. The RMCD program will experience a day for day slip starting on 16 May 2025 without this contract in place.

is the only firm capable of providing the supplies and services described in Section III above without the Government experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

V. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under

FAR 5.202 applies.

A Sources Sought (SS) / Request for Information (RFI) synopsis was posted to System for Award Management (SAM.gov) on 20 February 2025, with a response date of 10 March 2025 under Notice ID C-5M Systems Integration Laboratory Maintenance. The SS/RFI requested responses from interested vendors that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements for this effort. The following vendor responded to the , Inc. ( ). The vendor was evaluated for their capability and determined not capable due to not having access to the proprietary data necessary to support this engineering effort.

The requirement will be synopsized in SAM.gov in accordance with FAR 5.201. It is anticipated that sources having an interest in subcontracting may be identified through synopsis. Any source who responds to the Government as a result of this synopsis will be identified to the prime contractor as a potential subcontracting possibility.

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The plan to break barriers to competition in the prior J&A was to continue engaging the OEM on selling the TDP to the Government. The plan was completed; however, the OEM continues to decline sell of the TDP to the Government. Based on fulfillment of the prior plan, the current J&A does not require higher level approval in accordance with DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(ii).

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.