B-2_Antenna_J&A_Redacted.pdf

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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY14 Nov 2017

I. Contracting Activity.

Department of the Air Force 509th Contracting Squadron 660 Tenth Street, Suite 222 Whiteman Air Force Base, MO 65305-5316

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

This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes the use of other than full and open competition procedures to acquire Ball Aerospace Airborne Instrumentation System (AIS) antennas. The AIS antennas were designed by Ball Aerospace and contain their proprietary design for the antennas.

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

This requirement is for procurement of 6 sets (18 antennas) of AIS antennas to support operational testing of the B-2 aircraft. These antennas are required to support communication and analysis as required to prepare the fielding recommendations of Special Programs for the B-2 aircraft. The receipt of this data by the Detachment 2 Survivability Section is required to determine fielding recommendations.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

IAW 10 USC 2304(c)(1) the head of an agency may use procedures other than competitive procedures only when --

The property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the agency;

IAW FAR 6.303-2(b)(4), the statutory authority permitting other than full is identified below:

6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

6.302-1(b)(1)(ii) For DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, unique supplies or services available from only one or a limited number of sources or from only one or a limited number of suppliers with unique capabilities.

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 original manufacturer of the AIS antennas is Ball Aerospace in Colorado. Ball Aerospace is the only known source of supply for the AIS antennas. Additionally, Ball Aerospace has the engineering authority and proprietary design for the antennas so no third party vendors can supply the required AIS antennas.

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

This requirement was reviewed by the Contracting Officer, and the user to ensure that all possibilities for competition were considered for this procurement (see Para IX for further explanation). Based on the specialized antennas and proprietary design, a decision was reached to proceed with a sole source contract to Ball Aerospace, the original manufacturer. Ball Aerospace is the sole manufacturer for the AIS antennas.

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

The AIS antennas from Ball Aerospace will be determined fair and reasonable based on their direct labor rates in an approved DCAA audit.

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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY14 Nov 2017

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

No existing or authorized vendors other than Ball Aerospace were found.

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

The 72nd Flight Test and 509th Bomb Wing are required to fly the P1 and A1 missions with these antennas installed. If the government procures/develops new items, it would cause substantial duplication costs, unacceptable delays in B-2 operational requirements and re-accomplishment of system designs and flight worthiness. It will violate the current configuration of the the required A1 and P1 missions. Purchasing new antennas will require the extensive testing and revalidation and would severely limit the B-2 to test their aircraft. Also, the current items have gone through comprehensive EMI testing, TEMPEST, and crash-worthiness testing which would be effected by this procurement if not purchased through Ball Aerospace. It has taken many man-hours to complete the testing and certify these items. It is in the best interest of the Government to procure replacement units versus procuring new uncertified units.

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

Market research performed indicates no other sources will be able to fulfill this requirement. It has been determined that Ball Aerospace is the only source of supply.

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.

All requirements, including the subject requirement, are thoroughly reviewed to ensure that competition is not unnecessarily restricted. It will be difficult to remove barriers to competition on further acquisitions for this equipment since Ball Aerospace is the original manufacturer.

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.