Chad Niger Justification.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR BRAND NAME

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

The Office of Acquisitions Management (AQM) and the Bureau of African Affairs

(AF) proposes to enter into a Task Order (TO) which will be competed amongst all eight AFRICAP III IDIQ awardees (NELOGIS, Relyant, SkyBridge, Engility, PAE, Triple Canopy, AECOM, and Pulau) for equipment and related new equipment training for the Chadian and Nigerien militaries.

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

This brand name justification is to cover only a portion of this acquisition (brand name equipment only) to be procured and used specifically for interoperability with existing brand name equipment operated and sustained by the Chadian and Nigerien militaries. This task order is primarily for equipment, along with associated training and logistics services. As previously stated, this Justification and Approval

(J&A) is for only the brand name equipment identified below. This TO will be a hybrid contract with firm-fixed-price and cost reimbursable components.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the Department’s needs.

For Chad, the requirement is to provide 10 Toyota LandCruiser four-door trucks, along with 10 respective spare parts packages, for use in counterterrorism operations in Chad by the Chadian military. This specific type of Toyota

LandCruiser has been selected because it is the exact requirement necessary for interoperability with vehicles that are used by the Chadian military currently. The

Chadian military requires these vehicles to project force and conduct counterterrorism missions. This specific brand and model is unmatched by any brand competitor or alternate Toyota model, and is highly capable of operating in the rugged terrain and harsh weather in which Chadian forces primarily operate.

Additionally, it is easy for the Chadians to procure spare parts for these vehicles because there is a ready supply across the country – an advantage unmatched by any other manufacturer. Finally, this make and model of vehicle is what the

Chadian military has used for decades, and operators and mechanics know exactly how to keep them mission capable. The total value of these vehicles is estimated at eight percent of the estimated value of the base year for this task order.

For Niger, the requirement is to provide four Toyota LandCruiser four-door trucks and two Toyota LandCruiser two-door trucks, along with six respective spare parts packages, for use in counterterrorism operations in Niger by the Nigerien military.

This specific type of Toyota LandCruiser has been selected because it is the exact requirement necessary for interoperability with vehicles already purchased and used by the Nigerien military. The Nigerien military requires these vehicles to project force and conduct counterterrorism missions. This specific brand and model is unmatched by any brand competitor or alternate Toyota model, and is highly capable of operating in the rugged terrain and harsh weather in which FAN forces primarily operate. Additionally, it is easy for the Chadians to procure spare parts for these vehicles because there is a ready supply across the country – an advantage unmatched by any other manufacturer. Finally, this make and model of vehicle is what the Nigerien military has used for decades, and operators and mechanics know exactly how to keep them mission capable. The total value of these vehicles is estimated at five percent of the estimated value of the base year for this task order.

In addition, for Niger, the requirement is to provide 22 Motorola SRX2200 radios and assorted accessories, four Harris RF-7800 vehicle systems, 28 Garmin GPS units, 11 AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles and associated helmet mounts, four

Panasonic Tough Books, two HP Officejet printers, 13 Arsenal MG-1MS firearms, 461 Arsenal AR-M52TB firearms, 461 Optix MX-6 red dot sights, 461) and two

Motorola KVL5000 key loaders for use in counterterrorism operations in Niger by

Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN). These specific brands/makes and models have been selected because they are the exact requirement necessary for interoperability with equipment that was already purchased and trained on by the Nigerien military.

Other components of the 51st and 11th BSI special forces battalions of the Nigerien military previously received equipment packages through other U.S. government programs, and therefore uniformity and interoperability of equipment is particularly important. The Motorola and Harris radio systems and key loaders must be procured to ensure that 51st and 11th BSI personnel are able to effectively communicate with other FAN elements, since radios from a different manufacturer would not function with the Partner Nation’s existing radio systems. These radios have been included in all prior U.S.-funded equipment packages to the FAN, so introducing a new brand at this time would result in the purchase of devices that are inoperable with the FAN’s broader radio systems. Accessories, including batteries, charging stations, and carrying pouches and mounts, must also be

Motorola- and Harris-branded, respectively, to preclude operation, maintenance, and sustainment issues in the field due to mis-matched equipment. Similarly, Garmin GPS units are required because FAN personnel have previously received

Garmin-branded GPS units and been trained on their operation and maintenance;

therefore, switching brands will have a negative effect on the Partner Nation’s ability to independently service, sustain, and correctly utilize the GPS in combat environments. The FAN has 940 AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles, which are the make and model supplied through prior U.S.-funded equipment packages to the

BSI. The Nigerien defense force is proficiently trained in the operation, maintenance, and storage of this specific make and model, which is why switching to a different variant would be problematic. Panasonic Tough Books provide unmatched performance and reliability in the harsh environment and extreme conditions in which the BSI operate. The Tough Book’s ability to endure rough handline, particularly in heat and dust, is demonstrated to be superior to other computer variants. HP Officejet printers are included because U.S. Embassy personnel advise that only HP ink is available to purchase in-country, making the

HP Officejet printer the only sustainable variant for this task order. Finally, the

BSIs are well-trained and efficient in the use of the Arsenal MG-1MS firearm, Arsenal AR-M52TB firearm, and Optix MX-6 red dot sights, and rely on these platforms to conduct operations in extreme conditions. The BSIs are highly proficient in zeroing and qualifying with these particular weapons systems, which leads to success on the battlefield. Introducing other systems would degrade operations. The total value of these vehicles is estimated at roughly 20 percent of the estimated value of the base year for this task order.

4. The authority and supporting rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the supply or services.

FAR 16.505(a) (4) – Procuring items peculiar to one manufacturer. The

Department of State and the Chadian and Nigerien militaries have invested substantial funding into the existing brand name equipment platforms and maintenance support. Both militaries have a long-standing history of using and operating the brand names disclosed above, and deviating from specific brand names would be burdensome for the both countries to start re-training their soldiers on the usage of these platforms, create entirely new and costly logistics and procurement supply chains, and decrease performance in an operational environment for new types of equipment. Uniformity of equipment and interoperability is particularly important under this contract, as it is directing equipment to three entities (the SATG of the Chadian military and the 51st and 11th

BSIs of the Nigerien military) that have previously received the same equipment items under other U.S. government programs. Ensuring the uniformity of interoperability of equipment is critical to the cohesion and operational effectiveness of these units. In addition, the Toyota LandCruiser, Motorolas, Harris, and Arsenal platforms are extremely prevalent in Africa, enabling the host nation to more easily service and procure spare parts for the platforms. The other equipment by Garmin, Panasonic, HP, Belleville, 5.11, Never Fail Gear, Rotcho, Red Rock, Blackhawk, Condor, MULE, Petzel, Optix, and Viking have been procured, trained, and used in operations. This equipment is necessary for uniformity as it will replace combat lost equipment or be integrated into ongoing training with the exact same equipment. This will further our overall objective of making our partner nation militaries more self-sustainable over the long run.

5. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on the adequate price competition between the eight AFRICAP

IDIQ holders. By signing the justification the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the cost/price to the Government are expected to be fair and reasonable.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification.

N/A, beyond those considerations listed under Section 3.

7. Actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

Non-Applicable as this J&A only covers the brand name equipment only under this task order.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this submission is accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that it contains complete information necessary to enable other officials to make an informed recommendation for approval or disapproval.

Concurrence:

Jocabed Domingue Date

Contracting Officer

Office of Acquisitions Management

A/LM/AQM/WWD/RSB