E21 Redacted SSJ.pdf

Subj: SOLE SOURCE MEMORANDUM TO ACQUIRE MK16 MOD 1 UBA PRINTED WIRING ASSEMBLIES

FROM SIERRA CIRCUITS

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

This is a sole source 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.

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

This action will award a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, to Sierra Circuits, Inc., 1108 West Evelyn Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 for the fabrication of printed wiring assemblies (PWA) to support the MK16 Mod1 Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA). A PWA refers to a Printed Wiring Board (PWB) that has had all of its necessary electrical components (like resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits) attached and soldered. It is the fully functional "brain" of any electronic device, making it synonymous with a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) or Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA).

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

The contract effort is to acquire the following:

Description Part Number Qty

O2 Control PWA 8479721 250

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.

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. Authority: FAR 6.103-1(d), Application for brand-name descriptions.

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, as services are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. NSWC PCD is the designated depot and technical authority for all EOD Diving and Life Support underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) components. Sierra is uniquely qualified and represents the only viable source capable of averting a critical gap in Fleet readiness. Sierra has a demonstrated, unmatched track record of rapid production response for critical maritime hardware. Awarding to any other vendor would require extensive lead times for manufacturing spin-up and qualification, resulting in an unacceptable delay in fielding these critical components. Any delay directly compromises the safety and readiness of Navy EOD Divers. Therefore, a sole-source award to Sierra is imperative to maintain underwater EOD capabilities for future high-end conflicts. Furthermore, Sierra is already an established manufacturer of other circuit boards for the MK 16 UBA. Because they possess active production lines, established supply chains for these specific military-grade electronic components, and the necessary testing fixtures, Sierra does not require the extensive production spin-up time that a new vendor would need. This existing MK 16 manufacturing infrastructure is exactly what enables Sierra to meet the highly compressed, urgent schedule directed by NAVSUP and the Fleet.

Furthermore, Sierra possesses a proven understanding of the highly unique technical tolerances required for the MK 16 Mod 1 UBA, specifically the critical need to maintain a low and constant magnetic signature. Manufacturing these boards requires strict adherence to detailed schematics. Any deviation by a new vendor—such as altering a component coating, substituting a material, or modifying the assembly process—could inadvertently increase the system's overall magnetic signature. In the magnetically sensitive environments where EOD Divers operate, such an error would directly compromise the diver's safety and place them in immediate harm's way. Sierra’s validated ability to meet these exact magnetic signature requirements mitigates this unacceptable risk.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value, consistent with the commercial evaluation procedures in FAR 12.203.

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (such as considering price, special features, administrative costs) 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.

For the reasons specified in paragraph 4 above, Sierra Circuits is the only source that can meet the Government’s needs.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

8. 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, Sierra Circuits is the only source that can meet this requirement.