CITADELS JA - AQ Signed_Redacted.pdf

This is a Department of Air Force Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition document approving a sole-source award of an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC) of Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

The contract is for procurement of systems, subsystems, associated support, engineering efforts, integration/installation, and sustainment in support of the Large Aircraft Survivability Systems (LAIRCM) program administered by Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The LAIRCM AN/AAQ-24(V) system provides directed infrared countermeasures for large aircraft protection against infrared-guided missile threats. The contract encompasses acquisition, production, and sustainment of LAIRCM equipment including Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs), consumables, technical manuals, support equipment, and field support. Engineering efforts include LRU upgrades, integration and retrofit support for new aircraft types, and sustainment activities such as interim repair, depot repair, field service, and related logistics support. The ordering period extends from January 1, 2029 through December 31, 2033 (five years), with a total performance period of seven years through December 31, 2035. Anticipated funding includes RDT&E (3600), Aircraft Procurement (3010), and Operation and Maintenance (3400) categories. Contract types include Fixed-Price-Incentive-Firm Target (FPIF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), and Cost-Reimbursement (CR) with Level of Effort elements.

The justification cites 10 U.S.C. § 3204(a)(1) as statutory authority, stating only one responsible source can satisfy agency requirements. NGSC is identified as the incumbent original equipment manufacturer with over 30 years of experience and integration of LAIRCM into more than 1,200 aircraft across 85 platforms. The Government lacks sufficient data rights in technical data and software to enable competition. Market research from March to July 2025 identified five potential contractors through a Sources Sought Synopsis (FA8638-25-R-0018) posted on SAM.gov; however, analysis determined NGSC is the only source capable of meeting delivery schedules, technical requirements including Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 9 standards, and December 2028 system compliance deadlines without unacceptable cost duplication or schedule delays. Alternative competition scenarios were deemed cost-prohibitive, with estimated costs and five-year stand-up periods deemed excessive. A Notice of Proposed Contract Action will be published on the GPE at SAM.gov prior to award.