J A_(revised).docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

92d MAINTENANCE SQUADRON (AMC)

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE WASHINGTON

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY. Department of the Air Force, 92nd Contracting Squadron, 110 W Ent St, Suite 200, Fairchild AFB, WA 99011-8568.

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED. The 92d Maintenance Squadron (MXS) at Fairchild AFB has a requirement for an adapter kit to allow for wing tip to wing tip fuel system pressurization. This kit contains a non intrusive adapter that will negate the need to remove plenum boxes and the associated skin panels.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS. Under the contemplated contract, the following Aerowing Advanced Ground Support part will be purchased to meet MXS requirements to reduce aircraft downtime and increase asset availability to meet the mission requirements. The Fuel system and its components are essential to the aircraft being fully mission capable and deployable in any field of operation. The fuel system provides a constant supply of fuel to all four engines under all anticipated power levels needed to sustain flight. The table below is a detailed breakdown of quantity required, part number, and item description.

Quantity

The total estimated contract total is $12,995.00 which will be funded with 3400 appropriation funds. Delivery of equipment is expected to be complete within 90 days ARO.

4. AUTHORITY AND SUPPORTING RATIONAL. The statutory authority permitting the sole source procurement is 10 USC 2304(c) (1), a limited number of sources and no other supplies or services will Satisfy Agency Requirements, as implemented by FAR 6.302-1.

The current pressurization process requires entry to the affected tank, installation of vent valve props, and removal of air supply bell housings, and depending on the tank, this would also require removal of several stringers to allow access to the aforementioned components. Once these components are isolated a pressure test door is installed on the wing, a water manometer, and a pressure source box. All told the current process consumes 14 hours of aircraft down time per fuel tank. Since most aircraft that enter fuel cell for leak repair have an average of 6 repairs needed in an average of 4 separate tanks; time the aircraft is down just for test equipment installation and removal reaches 56 hours, this does not account the time for the actual repair of the tank.

Also, the current pressurization process only allows pressurization of one tank at a time, preventing the utilization of concurrent fuel tank maintenance. For example, if the team on the left wing requires pressurization of their tank to confirm repairs, all members working on the right wing must stop their maintenance to facilitate; effectively placing the aircraft on maintenance hold for the duration of the pressurization, an average of 1.5 hours per event.

Finally, the current system of validating fuel leaks prior to isochronal repair requires the removal of temporary repairs and reclassifying the leak per technical data. This requires fuel to be loaded on the aircraft to act as a leak agent, adding time to the isochronal inspection team configuring the fuel load to accommodate. This fuel load then has to be removed to allow for fuel system entry and repair; adding another unnecessary 12 hours to the entire isochronal process.

The KC-135 Pressure Adapter Kit made by Aerowing contains three made for aircraft plugs that utilize pneumatic driven vacuum seal fixtures to adhere directly to the aircraft skin. This allows a fixture to hold the adapter that actually seals the plenum box intake and allow for pressure to be supplied to the fuel system for the purpose of leak path analysis, operational checks of components, and repair validations without the actual need for fuel tank access.

With this kit we can have isochronal aircraft completely defueled and utilize air pressure to reclassify temporary repairs completely negating the need for refuels, transfers, and defuels. The aircraft can tow directly from the isochronal maintenance dock to the fuel cell hangar without delay. Furthermore the pressure kit allows for concurrent maintenance of fuel tanks without the need to stop maintenance for repair validation, cutting 12 hours depending on the aircraft repairs required.

Market research was accomplished to determine the extent of competition. However, no additional firms have equipment with the capability to satisfy the requirement other than Aerowing Advanced Ground Equipment. There are no retail outlets, or wholesale suppliers of Aerowing components and must be purchased on a Sole Source basis.

5. DETERMINATION OF BEST VALUE. The proposal will be evaluated with cost and pricing analysis performed as prescribed in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Part 13 to ensure the negotiated amount will be fair and reasonable

6. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH OR STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED. Local research reviews of numerous manufacturer’s products on the internet and GSA Advantage were conducted to determine if compatible products exist. None were found that are capable of meeting the requirement. It has been determined that additional market research, other than that already performed, is not practical as it will not generate any additional sources capable of satisfying the government’s needs.

Based on the Market Research findings and analysis, it is determined that the pressure kit is commercial in nature and, therefore, should be procured for Fairchild AFB in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 13.5.

7. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE JUSTIFICATION. In order to provide competition on this requirement, the 92nd MXS would have to purchase an entirely new system at an exorbitant cost which would create a duplication of some costs and delay the potential improvements of the agency for the next few years.

8. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME BARRIERS THAT LED TO RESTRICTION. Although formal market research was not required, other manufacturer’s products were reviewed over the internet to determine if a like system exists and none were found. There aren’t any actions the agency can take at this time to prevent barriers to competition for this existing need. Aerowing Advanced Ground Equipment as the manufacturer of the pressure kit is the only company qualified and capable of providing this product. However, at such time that the KC-135 pressure kit are to be replaced with an entirely new system, then the requirement will be made available to all vendors that are capable of competing for the system.

9. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The Contracting Officer’s signature on the coordination and approval document evidences that she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of her knowledge and belief.

10. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signature on the coordination and approval document, the technical and/or requirements personnel certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL

Contracting Activity: Department of the Air Force, 92nd Contracting Squadron, 110 West Ent Street, Fairchild AFB. WA 99011

Project/Program Name: MXS/Pressurization Adapter Kit

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): $12,995.00

Authority: 10 USC 2304( c) (I), Limited number o.fsources and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, as implemented by FAR Part 8.405-6(b).

Type J&A: Individual Coordination:

Commander: ___________________________ _________ Sean C. Goode, 92 MXS Date Signed

Approval:

Contracting Officer: _______________________________________ Rebecca M. Hoyt, TSgt, 92 CONS/LGCA Date Signed

Approval:

Contracting Squadron Commander: __________________________________ Kelly A. Gerlach, Capt, 92 CONS/LGCA Date Signed

Aerowing vs Current Aerowing Isocronal Pre Inspection Tank Repair Validation Pressure Kit Instalation Concurrent Mx Time Lost 1.5 4 1 0 Current Isocronal Pre Inspection Tank Repair Validation Pressure Kit Instalation Concurrent Mx Time Lost 12 56 14 6 Task Hours image1.jpeg