CHAFF JA Redactions_Redacted_11July2024.pdf

Control Number: ACC ORL JA 23-009

Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition � FAR Part 6

1. Contracting Activity: Army Contracting Command � Orlando (ACC-ORL).

2. Description of Action: Program Executive Office Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) Product Manager, Live Training Systems (PdM LTS) is requesting approval to award a new indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) Firm- Fixed Price (FFP) contract to Inter-Coastal Electronics, Inc. (ICE, Inc.) for five years.

The Government projects award for this effort in the 2nd quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the effort will be funded using FY24 Other Procurement, Army (OPA), and OPA funding across the option out years.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: PEO STRI PdM LTS has a requirement to replicate Threat-Integrated Air Defense System (T-IADS) capabilities at eight home station locations, provide an Opposition Forces (OPFOR) Man Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) solution to the three Combat Training Centers (CTCs) and eight home stations, conduct a technical refresh on the OPFOR Light Utility Helicopters at the three CTCs, and provide Post Deployment System Support (PDSS).

The planned contract deliverables are provided below:

a. TIADS- (Training Aviation Survivability Equipment (ASE) Stimulation Suite

b. TIADS- Ground Threat Emitters (GTE)

c. TIADS-MANPADS

d. TIADS- Aviation Mile Detector Plate

e. OPFOR Attack Aviation Shoot Back Capability (LUH-72 / OA2SBC)

f. PDSS Post Deployment System Support

The GTEs and TASS equipment interfaces with the ICE, Inc communication protocol as required to operate on the CTC aviation network infrastructure.

In 2021and 2023, PEO STRI had discussions with ICE Inc. about the possibility to procure the Technical Data Packages (TDP) with all the Intellectual Property (IP) rights necessary to compete future contracts for T-IADS. However, ICE Inc. expressed no interest in selling to the Government the TDP with the IP rights. With ICE Inc. unwilling to sell the technical data package, there are no remediation options available to the Government to compete this capability.

b. JUSTIFICATION: The rationale used for justifying the cited authority are described in the following paragraphs:

(1) HITS has just finished fielding a software and hardware upgrade to eight location that allows for LBA TESS and TASS equipped helicopters to participate in instrumented Combined Arms Force on Force training. The HITS uses the same ICE, Inc. proprietary communication protocol as the Attack Aviation Data Management System (AADMS) operated by PdM CTIS at the CTC�s but on a smaller scale.

(2) An OPFOR MANPAD solution which is about to complete final testing, has a miniature GTE embedded into the design which utilizes the same ICE, Inc. proprietary communication protocol to allow it to interface with AADAMS and HITS networks.

(3) Reference the OPFOR Attack Aviation Shoot Back Capability (OA2SBC) Light Utility Helicopter -72 (LUH-72) platform, the Army is planning a major tech refresh for this platform in FY 26-27. Currently on the LUH 72 air platforms, a key component of the system calls the M-SMODIM (25 year old technology) has reached end of useful life and is no longer supported by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Under the current configuration the M-SMODIM is the central processing unit, and which operates with the ICE�s proprietary software. ICE, Inc (without Gov funding) has designed a new processor (Advanced-SMODIM) that uses the same software but an upgraded hardware that is supportable by the OEM. This technology has been successfully tested and fielded under the TIADS program. ICE Inc is the only source that can make this capability available.

(4) TASS systems must interface with the current HITS to transmit data to the command center in near real time as training exercises are being conducted. If any single system changes communication protocols, it will start a cascade that requires the change of all training aviation networks and replacement of all equipment, so it is on the same communication protocol.

c. IMPACT: If this Justification is not approved, it will significantly impact the ability of the Army's Aviation and Brigade Combat Teams ability to achieve its determined training goals. Training on the system will be limited to the training capacity currently available at the CTCs. Such limitations on the ability to conduct critical training will negatively affect the Army�s ability to successfully plan, prepare, execute and assess high fidelity enemy Integrated Air Defense Systems threat during collective Force on Force training at the home stations in preparation for deployments to the CTCs. Further implications include the likelihood that units will lack readiness which will hinder their ability to be successful during real world deployments.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Based on the information in paragraph 5, competition for this action is not feasible. ACC-ORL has posted several notifications in SAM.Gov to promote an exchange of information with industry and to identify sources capable of meeting the CHAFF T-IADS requirements. Furthermore, The Government has briefed the requirements at the Training and Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) on 15-16 June 2022, Army Aviation Association of America Aviation Survivability Equipment Symposium on 12-13 September 2022, Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) on 29 November - 03 December 2022, and at the monthly Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT) sections with Industry.

a. Effective Competition. Because this is a sole source action, effective competition is not practicable.

b. Subcontracting Competition: The proposed contractor will be contractually bound to the Small Business Subcontracting goals established in the Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Annual reviews on the Contractor�s subcontracting achievements will occur to ensure compliance to the plan.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Currently there are no plans to redesign or build a new training system to allow for increased competition. However, if and when the Government decides to do so, every effort will be made to compete it to the maximum extent practicable. A redesign of the CHAFF capabilities is not a viable option considering the Governments large investment in aviation training capabilities and communications infrastructure at the Combat Training Centers and the home stations.

8. Market Research: In accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 205.205-71, DFARS 206.302-1(d), and DFARS Procedures, Guidance and Information (PGI) 206.302-1(d), a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) was posted to SAM.Gov on 14 September 2022 through 27 September 2022. The SSN intended to (1) notify Industry of the upcoming opportunity, (2) obtain expressions of interest from the small business community and (3) gauge small business firms or team(s) capabilities pursuant to this opportunity. The SSN resulted in communication from business firms. of the firms inquired information about the incumbent contract. No further communication was received from either firm after the Government answered to both inquiries. ICE was the respondent to the SSN and their response clearly demonstrates their capability to fulfill the requirements under this sole source action.

Additionally, a synopsis was posted on 14 March 2023 and closed on 29 March 2023 without receiving any interest or inquiries from Industry, and no other sources have written to express an interest for consideration.

The Market Research activities were deliberate in nature and canvased industry�s capability to meet the requirements of the CHAFF program. After a year of market research utilizing numerous techniques, addressed above, to reach the largest audience possible, the Government has determined that there is limited contractor interest, expertise, and resources to provide solutions for the CHAFF requirements. There has only been one company identified who can meet our CHAFF requirements in replicating the CTC like training scenario at home station with live training monitoring and after-action review capabilities. ICE Inc. has demonstrated their expertise in the aviation training environment and the necessary communication across the established CTC and home station networks.

To date there has been very little interest within the live training industry to compete for this type of work in a live Collective Training environment as noted in the market research analysis report and the last RFI request to industry there was no interest other than ICE. This lack of interest is due to the high-cost barrier to enter development and qualification of a rotary wing instrumentation system and other critical aviation training enablers such as the Ground Threat Emitter (GTE) for use on U.S. Army helicopter platforms participating in live training.

9. Interested Sources: As discussed in paragraph 5 above, ICE, Inc. maintains the proprietary Technology and Communication protocol that is operational at the CTCs and home stations. ICE Inc. is the only source capable of providing realistic training environment to Brigade Combat Team and Army Aviation units and simulates a complex operational environment at the maneuver Combat Training Centers.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history:

Contract Award/End Date

Authority Contract Value

Contractor IP

W900KK-

17-C-0061

28 Sep 17 to 28 Mar 23

FAR

6.302-1

ICE Inc. ICE maintains

b. Other Facts: The requirements from the original contract provided The fielding dates were; NTC August

2021, JRTC January 2022 and JMRC July 2022. Since the fielding these kits have been used in numerous CTC rotation exercises and also to support an exercise for USAPRAC in October 2022. These initial fieldings have met the requirements in the Operational Needs Statement/Directed Requirement and the CDD. Additionally, these events have demonstrated that the TASS and GTE�s are the suitable materiel -solution to replicate the requirement at the home stations as called out in the CDD requirement.

APPROVAL

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of CHAFF T- IADS for and for five years on another than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for this acquisition.

Signature: Date:

Typed Name: Title: Senior Contracting Official