FA3047-15-C-0049_TACP_-_J_and_A_(25_Sep_15)(V5)_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

The United States Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, 502d Air Base Wing, 502d Contracting Squadron/JBSA Lackland TX, is executing this sole source requirement on behalf of 342d Training Squadron (TRS) and 2 AF Technical Training Operations Center (TTOC). Based on the circumstances below, the following has been acquired using other than full and open competition. The Purchase Request Number for this requirement is

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

This action resulted in a firm-fixed priced contract (FA3047-15-C-0049) awarded 28 August 2015 for a tactical repeater system and installation from Harris RF Communications, 1680 University Avenue Rochester, New York 14610. Harris RF Communications is a large business under the applicable NAICS 541330 Engineer Services.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS

The Government requires turnkey installation of a radio repeater system to support government furnished equipment (GFE) tactical radio subscriber operations at JBSA – Camp Bullis utilizing 3400 funds.

Harris RF Communications design and installation plan demonstrates their capability to provide a minimum of 95% radio communications coverage for GFE tactical radio subscriber operations on three radio channels (2 VHF/1 UHF) between the three designated training locations located at Camp AP, which resides on JBSA-Camp Bullis. Vendor shall install 3 GFE tactical radios in remote base station configurations with appropriate equipment racks and antennas at Camp AP for line of sight operations on the new repeater system. Vendor provides all labor, equipment, tools, hardware and other miscellaneous items to install, integrate, program, test and certify installed system in accordance to Statement of Objectives (SOO).

Delivery will be in a two phased approach. Initial installation of single channel antenna must be completed within 45 days after Award of Contract (AOC). Phase 2 of installation is to be completed 28 Aug 2015 - 25 Mar 2016 to include burn-in and acceptance in accordance with

SOO.

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

The statutory authority for this requirement is 10 USC 2304(c)(2), Unusual and Compelling Urgency, as implemented by FAR 6.302-2.

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY

CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY)

The Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Air Force Specialty career field supports tactical battlefield/deployment operations. The TACP career field is currently on the stressed career field list for being critically manned and for having high operations tempo. As such, there is an urgent need for training Airmen into the TACP career field as quickly as possible. The timely foundation required for the development of new trainees is essential for the replenishment of career field, due to the high turnover rate. Any deviation from the scheduled training creates a grievous ripple effect throughout the Air Force TACP community.

The Field Training Exercise (FTX) is a mandatory part of the development and training for these high-demand enlisted personnel. The FTX is a highly stressful and physically demanding 5-day block of instruction, which requires safety observers and the immediate ability to call for emergency services should the need arise. The FTX consists of specialized training on calling airstrike missions, tactical day and night land navigation, and survival skills which entail completing obstacles throughout the mountainous terrain located on Camp Bullis.

The requirement to ensure the safety of the trainees requires point to point communication between Camp AP (main base) and the field training ground. This communication is facilitated by each student utilizing Harris radio equipment for relaying emergencies and position coordinates to ensure accountability of trainees. Lack of the required equipment could create a dangerous training environment. Avoiding the loss of accountability, increased risk of injury, and the potential loss of life are the basis for urgent procurement of the Tactical Repeater System.

Due to the lack of line of site radio capability, current training operations have been halted. In order to resume operations without the LOS equipment, five additional instructors would be pulled from classroom instruction, leaving an average of students awaiting training for for each class. For every lost day of training, the Air Force loses per student.

The financial cost of delaying the academic training in support of the FTX training equates to approximately per week ( annually totaling ). The reallocation of classroom instructors, in order to attain safety measures required for FTX, would adversely impact the tactical support for day/night airstrike missions, reduce targeting capabilities, land navigation skills, and survival skills required for operational military assets.

The Government currently deploys Harris Tactical Radios in the field/mission operations;

therefore equipment training must be performed utilizing the same equipment to ensure familiarization with its operation. Harris RF Communications are the designers and developers for the required Tactical Repeater System, which is necessary to transmit LOS communications through Government owned Harris radios in accordance with the SOO.

The current equipment being utilized for operations, developed by Harris RF Communications, satisfactorily meets all requirements of the SOO and has not had any significant performance issues on contracts across the Air Force for this service in the past. The continued use of existing proprietary equipment by trainees is vital to perform tactical military communication operations, equipment orientation, and the training necessary for operators to perform in the field.

As detailed above, the procurement of equipment from any other manufacturer would have resulted in substantial cost to the Government, created serious mission degradation, and caused adverse military readiness due to the immediate requirement for training.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

Initially this requirement was posted utilizing the mandatory source NETCENTS-2 Products Contract vehicle, where were solicited and competition was expected. To include the original Request for Quotes (RFQ) and amendments, this requirement was posted for 133 days from 12 January 2015 to 30 July 2015. During that time only one vendor submitted a quote, . Based on the nature of the work being performed was going to subcontract 100% of the work to Harris RF Communications. Under the terms and conditions of the NETCENTS-2 Products contract, the prime contractor is required to perform at a minimum of 51% of the work; therefore, an award to could not be made. Due to the amount of time spent soliciting this requirement and the fact that only one vendor provided a quote, the determination was made that only Harris RF Communications could provide the required equipment and services outlined in the SOO.

Harris RF Communications currently provides the tactical radios and repeater systems that are being utilized in the field for contingency operations and hold the proprietary rights for that equipment. Therefore, any new purchases of equipment, in order to sustain training on already established systems, require purchase through Harris RF Communications directly.

Using procedures in FAR 6.302-2 “Unusual and Compelling Urgency” and following the procedures under FAR 5.202(a)(2) - “Exceptions”, this requirement was not synopsized.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT

CONDUCTED

An initial scope determination was conducted utilizing the mandatory NETCENTS-2 Products Contract. During that determination, NETCENTS-2 Contracting Officer advised that our requirement met the scope of work outlined in the NETCENTS-2 Products IDIQ contract.

Through initial solicitation, only one vendor responded to the solicitation that could provide the equipment and services required to meet our SOO. The original solicitation was posted with amendments for 133 days. During that time only Harris RF Communications had the capability to perform at least 51% of the work. Unfortunately, Harris RF Communications was not the prime on the NETCENTS contract; therefore, no award under that contract vehicle could be made.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

The procurement of equipment from any other manufacturer would result in substantial cost to the Government, create serious mission degradation, and cause adverse deployment readiness due to the set-back in training.

Accordingly, Harris RF Communications is capable of providing the services described in Section III above without the U.S. Air Force experiencing a significant increase in cost, and also meet the Governments required timelines; therefore, enabling the renewal of course instruction.

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION

See Section VI above.

XI. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO

REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING

SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITIONS FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

Continued market research will be conducted to monitor Tactical Repeater/Radio Communications. On a yearly basis Annual Communications Expo’s/Conventions are held on base and will be monitored for new equipment that fit the needs of the Government.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature on the Coordination and Approval Document is evidence that he has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his knowledge and belief.

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signatures on the Coordination and Approval Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.