Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

This document is a Department of the Air Force justification for awarding a contract on a sole source basis to Jung Research and Development Corp. (JRAD) for continued operation and specialized support of the Low Background Infrared (LBIR) calibration facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in support of the Missile Defense Agency's Kill Vehicle (KV) program and Aegis Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors.

The contract type is cost-plus, with an estimated contract value that is redacted, covering the period from August 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, plus a six-month option. The contractor must provide personnel with a minimum of 10 years of direct experience in building, maintaining, and operating high-vacuum cryogenic systems for infrared instrumentation. Key technical expertise areas include cryogenic refrigerator systems, thermal infrared optical equipment, visible and infrared laser systems, cryogenic vacuum Fourier transform infrared radiometers, data acquisition and automation hardware and software, error analysis and technical reporting, and NIST IT security compliance. The contract is funded through appropriations for Operations & Maintenance (Defense-Wide), Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, and Procurement (Defense-Wide). The Government will acquire unlimited rights in all data, reports, specifications, technical drawings, and software developed under the contract to ensure long-term support and maintenance of the LBIR and UXR Transfer Radiometers. JRAD is determined to be the only qualified source based on extensive market research efforts conducted from 2015 to present, including two prior sources sought notices that yielded limited viable responses, with actions planned to overcome barriers to competition in future procurements through knowledge transfer, technology standardization, and small business subcontracting opportunities.