FBO Sole Source.docx

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

US Air Force 2d Contracting Squadron 41 Vandenberg Ave.

Barksdale AFB LA 71110-2079

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

This is to obtain, by the use of other than full and open competition, Advanced Tactical Plate Carrier (ATPC) Spear .

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

a. 15 total Modle ATPC (Advanced Technical Plate Carrier) – SPEAR with coreload system, mil-spec IOTV ballistics, color Multi-cam, sizes: 4 Small (4.6lbs), 9 Medium (5.5lbs), 2 Large (6.3lbs).

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirement.

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY) In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, the following conditions preclude competitive full and open competition procurement.

Standardization and Unique Capability Requirements

This requirement is for AF EOD Equipment Program Manager, AFCESA/CEXD. Soft armor is approved by Combatant Commands (COCOMs) in The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) and they have stringent for true Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) deliverable protection. ESAPI is a three-hit plate at a very specific weight (4.6 lbs for small, 5.5 lbs for a medium, 6.3 lbs for large, and 2.3 lbs for side). ESAPI goes through First Article Testing at Aberdeen Proving for each new program award and then has Lot Acceptance done after 1200 plates are built. ESAPI plates only are to be used with fully first article tested (FAT) and lot acceptance tested (LAT) soft armor inserts meeting the IOTV/OTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest/Outer Tactical Vest) protocol, CO/PD. Soft armor must be used in conjunction with ESAPI plates. Most plate carriers do not have soft armor and fail to meet IOTV/OTV protocol, CO/PDs. However, this ATPC has soft armor and fills all requirements and testing protocols that are necessary to survive multiple hits, IOTV/OTV protocols. Also, the ATPC includes the KDH CORELOAD system, which is an integral load management system that effectively controls and redistributes the weight of armor and equipment resulting in improved user comfort and performance, by distrubiting the weight to the core of its user on their hipbelt instead of their shoulders.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE Based upon Paragraph V, competition was not considered considered to be in the Government’s best interest. KDH Defense Systems has been identified to be the only vendor who can provide Advanced Technical Plate Carrier (ATPC) soft armor used in conjuction with EASPI plates which meet IOTV/OTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest/Outer Tactical Vest) protocol, which also provides weight distribution minimizing fatigue during use due to it’s CORELOAD system.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE The Contracting Officer has determined, by the signature on the cover page that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based upon the fact that the proposal costs received for material and labor were compared to similar requirements determined through market research conducted relevant to previous purchases.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED Market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted which revealed The ATPC from KDH Defense Systems Inc. was used to maintain standardization as well as to ensure requirements and protocols are met. Additional market research on GSA showed KDH as the only vendor able to provide CORELOAD technology used in conjuction with the ATPC SPEAR soft armor and EASPI plates.

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

All facts are indicated above. This requirement will be Sole Source Only.

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 There are no cost effective methods to remove or overcome barriers to competition on these purchases and services at the time due to the reasons stated previously in paragraph V above.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12)).

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 (FAR 6.303-2(b)).