Brand_Name_JA_Over_ 150K_-_1_kW_Amps_(Redacted).pdf

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL DOCUMENT

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: 49 CONS

PROGRAM/PROJECT: 1 kW Amps AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a)(1)

ESTIMATED CONTRACT COST: $265,000

TYPE J&A: Brand Name

COORDINATION DATE

SAMANTHA J. DeLUCIA, SSgt, USAF Contracting Officer

APPROVED:

ANTHONY D. OVERBAY, CIV, DAF

Director of Business Operations

1281310603A Typewritten Text

27 AUG 15

1128998400C Typewritten Text

28 AUG 2015

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

The 746th Test Squadron (746 TS) requires one EMPower 1kW Solid State Amplifier with front RF ports and other specified options as well as one EMPower 1kW Solid State Amplifier with rear RF ports and other specified options. This acquisition is estimated to cost the Government $265,000.00. The authority permitting other than full and open competition is IAW FAR 13.501(a)(1), application for brand name descriptions.

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

This individual justification and approval is for the issuance of a Firm Fixed Price (FFP), brand name contract for EMPower 1kW Solid State Amplifier with front RF ports and other specified options as well as one EMPower 1kW Solid State Amplifier with rear RF ports and other specified options. Under the proposed contract the 49th Contracting Squadron will issue a new purchase order as a result of the authority contained within IAW FAR 13.501(a)(1).

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

AGENCY’S NEEDS

One each amplifier with front RF ports to include Operating Frequency Range 1,000 – 3,000 MHz, Power Output: 1 kW, Typical Power Input: 28 V DC, Power Gain Minimum 60 dB, and Solid State. One each amplifier with rear RF ports to include Operating Frequency Range 1,000

– 3,000 MHz, Power Output: 1 kW, Typical Power Input: 28 V DC, Power Gain Minimum 63 dB and Solid State.

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

The statutory authority for this requirement is 10 USC 2304(c)(1), Application for brand name descriptions no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as implemented by IAW FAR 13.501(a)(1)

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 EMPower 1kW Solid State Amplifier is the standard unit for the new 746 TS Airborne Jammer Stand-Off (ABJ-SO) asset. This is the most energy efficient, solid state amplifier that uses 28V DC input voltage to produce 1kW output power. Only this amplifier has this unique combination of critical required characteristics.

746 TS is already developing the ABJ-SO antenna ($175,000) to utilize 1kW output power. The aircraft provides 4.9 kW at 28V DC. If an amplifier with any other input voltage were purchased, there would be a loss of efficiency and increase in price to the project because an amplitude converter would need to be bought and installed. This would result in less than 1kW output power, and in turn the antenna would likely have to be re-designed, costing the Government at least $175,000. Additionally, the software that is currently being finalized ($200K) for the ABJ-SO system is written around EMPower brand amplifiers because they are the ones currently used by 746 TS. It is therefore essential that brand name only procurement be applied to this requirement. Justification for brand name only procurement is FAR 6.302- 1(c)(1): these amplifiers are a portion of the larger requirement, the ABJ-SO, and justification and approval for brand name is to cover this portion of the requirement.

In addition, mission impacts include at least $1,500,000 in lost revenue and four months schedule slip h id i d i d l i l ABJ SO l l

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

This requirement will be posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and limited to those vendors able to provide the Brand requested.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

Multiple distributers exist for this requirement, and price will be determined fair and reasonable based on adequate price competition. Additionally, previous buys of like items and comparison to other vendors’ posted price lists will support the PFR.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

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

CONDUCTED

49 CONS conducted in-depth research for amplifier manufacturers indicating other vendors make a 28V input, 1kW output amp: API Technologies, Inc. and Delta RF Technology, Inc.

both meet these basic characteristics. However, the requirement for compatibility between systems demands EMPower’s amp. Additionally, the customer indicated that although amplifier manufacturers can make products to the exact required specifications, this would be custom work, and the Government would pay a premium for it. Additionally, the Government would incur at least $200K in software re-write costs to make the other brand’s amplifiers compatible with the existing systems.

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

OPEN COMPETITION

No other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, besides what has been pointed out above, are needed to justify restricting competition.

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

The software for the ABJ-SO system is written to facilitate compatibility among various and specific equipment items, and this precludes a mix-and-match of amplifier brands.

Theoretically, the next time it’s upgraded, the software could be written for a different brand of amplifier; practically, though, this rewrite would generate hundreds of thousands of dollars spent to re-procure and replace the amplifiers currently used. It’s an option that 49 CONS and 746 TS will consider but at this time does not seem viable or fiscally responsible.

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 IAW FAR 13.501(a)(1).

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 IAW FAR 13.501(a)(1).