FA238126CB001 - Justification and Approval_Redacted.pdf

This is a Department of the Air Force Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (CUI document) that approves a sole-source bridge contract award to Leidos, Inc. under 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1).

The contracting activity is the Air Force Material Command (AFMC), specifically the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Force Protection Division (AFLCMC/ESSC). The acquisition concerns continued engineering, system integration, and software development services in support of the Medusa Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) System of Systems. The contract type is hybrid Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Cost Reimbursement (CR) with no new Intellectual Property (IP) or data rights being procured. Services include development, maintenance, and sustainment of the Medusa software baseline serving as the Command-and-Control (C2) backbone for fielded defensive systems, encompassing system integration, cybersecurity patching, software troubleshooting, test training events, and knowledge transfer supporting transition to a follow-on competitive contract. The justification is predicated on two primary factors: (A) substantial duplication of cost due to the learning curve required for a new contractor to achieve proficiency with the incumbent's level of expertise, with projected duplicative costs representing significant expense not recoverable through competition; and (B) unacceptable delays in fulfilling agency requirements, as Leidos possesses unique and non-transferable qualifications derived from deep institutional knowledge of the Medusa C-sUAS software architecture, hardware configurations, and subsystem interfaces. A Request for Information (RFI) was posted on GSA Oasis on March 13, 2026 with responses due April 1, 2026, which solicited vendor timelines for achieving Full Operational Capability. Of ten responses received, seven vendors indicated they do not sell the required products or services, while three vendors submitted responses; all three demonstrated significant ramp-up times that would create unacceptable delays. The bridge contract structure provides maximum flexibility for swift transition to a competitive follow-on contract as soon as awarded while ensuring mission continuity and allowing the SEIS (Sustainment, Engineering, & Integration Support) follow-on contract to ramp up during the bridge period.