LSJ,_Final,_Walsh_signed_-_JADSI_,_15003.pdf

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Federal Acquisition Services

Limited Source Justification Out-of-Scope Modification

1. Requiring and Contracting Activity

a. Requiring Activity: United States Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) A60 SCX Plans & Programs 524 Shaw Drive, Suite 126 Shaw AFB, SC

b. Contracting Activity General Services Administration

New England Region 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222

c. Contract Specialist: Kyla McKinstry

Contracting Officer: David Feit

d. Task ID: ID01150003

e. Estimated Value: $1,820,000.00

2. Background

The General Services Administration (GSA), New England Region, Assisted Acquisitions, has an ongoing task to provide on-site (OCONUS in Al Udeid, Qatar) JADSI (Joint Air Defense System Integrator) support services for its customer, the United States Air Force (USAF), United States Air Force Central Command (AFCENT), 609 Air Communications Squadron (ACOMS),with offices at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), SC.

On June 3, 2015, GSA awarded a $9,776,770.95 contract to Ultra Electronics Advanced Tactical Systems (Ultra) for operational and maintenance support for the JADSI system, for one base year and four options years. This contract is currently in its third option year.

The JADSI is proprietary equipment that integrates military air/land-based assets into an operational air picture allowing the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for the Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC). It is a vital part of mission operations throughout Central Command’s (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR).

This requirement was solicited on a competitive basis to all contractors under Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 70; and the Government received only one response.

While attempting to increase competition made sense at the time of the original solicitation, given that:

a.) only one response was submitted in response to the RFQ, and b.) the manufacturer’s subsequent notification of the restricted nature of equipment servicing, it is now clear that this requirement can be satisfied only by a sole/limited source. See 6. Justification Rationale, below.

3. Description of Action:

AFCENT requires additional support (similar to existing) at a new site of performance (609 Air Communications Squadron (ACOMS) at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), SC) for the JADSI system there, expected for the remainder of the period of performance. The price for these services at the additional site is estimated at $1,820,000.00 (18% increase for the corresponding contract period).

Given that this contract will be modified under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program, the required items will be procured under FAR Subpart 8.405-2 procedures, and as with the existing services, on a Firm-Fixed- Price basis.

4. Description of Supplies or Services:

This requirement is for support services for the Joint Air Defense System Integrator (JADSI), at a new active operational site located at Shaw AFB, SC. Due to changing mission requirements, the Air Operation Center (AOC) at Shaw AFB, SC is turning into an active operational site, requiring 24/7 field service support.

5. Authority:

FAR Subpart 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

6. Justification Rationale:

U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) 609 Air Communications Squadron (ACOMS) at Shaw Air Force Base is responsible for ensuring that the CAOC, located at Al Udeid, Qatar, and the AOC, located at Shaw AFB, SC, have the required support needed for all JADSI equipment controlled at each location. The JADSI system and system support is proprietary to Ultra Electronics. A certified technician is required to perform system support (without voiding the warranty) for the JADSI system and Ultra certifies only its own employees.

The AOC, located at Shaw AFB, SC, has primarily been used as a back-up, training, and testing site. Current changes in mission requirements have changed the role of the AOC turning it into an active site. Current military manning cannot provide the level of support for the additional JADSI equipment. Shaw AFB will need field service support on-site in order to support these new mission requirements. Without this support, 609 ACOMS will not be able to fulfill the duties required by the mission and be able to implement the CFACC’s priorities throughout the AOR.

This new requirement is a cardinal change (i.e. not within the original scope of the existing task) because it adds a new site (CONUS vs. OCONUS) and significantly increases the expected FTEs from one 24/7 support site to two 24/7 support sites. However, because this task is now a Limited Source environment, and a contract is already established for these services, modifying this existing contract (vice establishing a new contract) to include the additional site is the most advantageous method to the Government in fulfilling this requirement.

7. Contracting Officer Determination:

The Contracting Officer has determined that modifying the existing contract to incorporate this increase in scope is in the best interest of the Government.

Furthermore, as required by DFARS Class Deviation 2014-O0011, the ordering activity contracting officer will determine if the price is fair and reasonable for this order. Given that GSA has already determined the prices of supplies and fixed-price services, with rates for services offered at hourly rates, under Schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable, the Contracting Officer expects that prices offered for these services, consistent with established Schedule prices, will be fair and reasonable.

8. Market Research:

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10. Market research was conducted by meetings with vendors and general research. It is determined that Ultra Electronics is the sole provider of JADSI equipment and direct support. Ultra Electronics builds this proprietary equipment in their warehouse located in Austin, TX. Ultra Electronics allows only their own FSR’s to work on the equipment itself (or the warranty is voided). Any other vendor would be required to sub-contract to Ultra Electronics in order to meet the requirement.

The current task order, ID01150003, was not sole-sourced to Ultra Electronics. At that time, it was determined that the solicitation would generate adequate competition, as the solicitation fell under Schedule 70 SIN 132-51. However based on the certification required by ULTRA to service the JADSI equipment, there was only one offeror, ULTRA Electronics

9. Other Supporting Facts:

The additional services at this new site (Shaw AFB, SC) is expected for the remainder of the contract to include option period 3 and option period 4.

10. Statement of Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition:

JADSI equipment is currently proprietary to Ultra Electronics. The Government will continue to monitor the proprietary elements of the JADSI equipment and look for opportunities to promote competition.

11. Requiring Agency Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which form the basis for this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

TSgt Patrick Walsh, USAF Date NCOIC, Contracts & Acquisitions, 609 ACOMS, Shaw AFB

12. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval:

The Contracting Officer certifies that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of his knowledge and belief. Furthermore, this contract will be modified in accordance with this justification only if the agreed upon price is determined to be fair and reasonable.

Prepared by:

Kyla McKinstry Contracting Specialist

Certified by:

David Feit Contracting Officer

Reviewed by:

Kimberly Yates Contracting Branch Chief

Approved by:

Kevan Kivlan Competition Advocate

June 29, 2018