14_-__Justification_and_Approval__Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

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Contracting Activity: 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: F2F1027192AW01

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): David Clark Headsets

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting):

Authority (include full title): FAR 13.501

Estimated Contract Cost

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I. Contracting Activity.

Department of Air Force, 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL. This document serves as a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition. The purchase request number is F2F1027192AW01.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

This action will be awarded as a new contract and it will be a firm-fixed-price contract.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The resulting contract will provide 220 (each) David Clark DC ONE-XM headsets.

4SOS requires upgraded aviation headsets for use in flight and simulator sorties. In order to properly plan, prepare and execute the 4SOS mission, clear and concise interpersonal communication is required to support joint conventional and special operations forces worldwide. The 4SOS requires an upgraded headset to ensure mission success and the safety of the Flight Crew. The DC ONE-XM is a hybrid electronic noise-cancelling military aviation headset that has digital signal processing and the M-2 dynamic electronic microphone to ensure the highest fidelity audio and noise reduction. It exceeds Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for 4SOS aircrew's protection. It also has the single U-174/U Connector required to connect to the AC-130U aircraft and simulator systems.

IV. Statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition.

Procurement under the contract will be conducted on a sole-source basis in accordance with the statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and implemented by FAR 13.501, Sole source acquisitions conducted under simplified acquisition procedures. Only one source is capable of providing the supplies required at the level of quality required because the supplies are unique or highly specialized.

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 impedance used in the electronics of the David Clark headsets have tested well with the higher number of headsets we use simultaneously on a single aircraft's system (13-21). Attempts to use different brands (i.e. Bose, Peltor, etc.) have resulted in degraded performance of the Communications Control Unit (CCU) on the aircraft and have proven unusable. Also, the AC-130U simulator only approves David Clark brand headsets for use. The DC ONE-XM was specifically designed for military aircrew and offers a noise cancellation feature, which is key during flight on a loud aircraft in producing the clear communications needed while conducting ordnance delivery.

Missing communications can lead to personal injury or death in extreme circumstances.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

A Combined Synopsis Solicitation will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities to allow interested vendors to respond.

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VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable based on a comparison of competitive quotes received in response to the Solicitation.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

In Fall 2016, 4SOS flight tested the comparable Bose A20 aviation headsets used by other squadrons and found it unacceptable. Their single unit cost is $1,095 (139% compared to $787 quoted per ONE-XM). Additionally, the impedance in the Bose headsets are incompatible with our aircraft intercommunication system and resulted in degradation of the CCU.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The AC-130U simulator the 4SOS trains on is exclusively designed for use with David Clark headsets; no other brand of headsets are approved for use.

X. List of sources, if any, that expressed interest in the acquisition.

See Paragraph VI.

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.

Until the AC-130U simulator starts allowing use of other brands, David Clark will remain the exclusive brand of headsets for the 4SOS. As technology continues to develop and change, the company contracted to operate the AC-130U simulator will continue to have access to updated specifications of available headsets in efforts to increase competition for future acquisitions.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.