FA4809-11-F-0008 Redacted J A.docx

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

1. CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: The contracting organization responsible for this action is the 4th Contracting Squadron, 1695 Wright Brothers Avenue, Seymour Johnson AFB NC, 27531.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: The contractual action is a Brand-Name Firm-Fixed Price GSA Delivery Order for the purchase of Nineteen (19) XTS 5000 mobile radios (including accessories).

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES: Purchase Motorola Brand Land Mobile Radio (LMR) equipment for the 4th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department.

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4. AUTHORITY: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 8.405-6.

5. APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY: The current Brand of LMR equipment and accessories being used on Seymour Johnson AFB's radio infrastructure is Motorola. Justification for this Brand is the fact that the items listed above are directly compatible with the existing SMARTNET II Motorola system (equipment). The Motorola Brand provides the required communication items to Federal Government agencies and DoD entities via a GSA Federal Supply Schedule. Request to compete this requirement as a Brand Name requirement since Motorola has the reliability not found in the competing brand. Specifically, market research revealed that the competing brand has a failure rate of 17 – 20% while Motorola has less than a 5% failure rate. While Seymour Johnson AFB has phased out approximately 276 of the original 350 radios, during an occasional exercise the competing brand radios surface and continue to cause downtime to the system. Specifically, when a competing brand radio is used during exercises, these radios still jam/lock- up the system controller which denies all other users on base access. When in use, the competing brand radios cause frequent downtime (two - three times a week). Conversely, the Motorola radios used in day to day operations may malfunction about once a year, hence this reliability is still relevant today. In addition to the high failure rate of the competing brand, the inability to obtain repair services or replacements for malfunctioned equipment in a timely manner, ultimately hinders the 4 FW mission. The comparable product lacks the reliability of the Motorola brand and does not meet, or cannot be modified to meet the agencies need. The critical nature of LMRs used on the flight-line at Seymour Johnson AFB means that communications failure can seriously hamper the wing's ability to safely and effectively coordinate aircraft movement, aircraft/base infrastructure maintenance, and crisis management, with possible danger of damage or loss of government assets, and/or injury or loss of life to Air Force personnel.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: Due to the proprietary nature of the system, there are only two (2) companies that manufacture compatible products. However, with the failure rate of the other company’s products, only Motorola can fulfill this requirement. Motorola has multiple authorized GSA distributors that are capable of fulfilling subject requirement. Additionally, requirement will be posted electronically via GSA Advantage.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST: The Contracting Officer will determine pricing to be fair and reasonable prior to award in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

8. MARKET SURVEY: Market research via e-buy on GSA revealed that five (5) vendors can provide this type of Motorola equipment, four (4) of which are small businesses.

9. OTHER FACTS: Motorola radios are being purchased because radios manufactured by another firm have been unreliable and costly to maintain. To date, at any given time, 20-40% of the existing equipment manufactured by the other firm is receiving maintenance or operating with limited capability.

10. INTERESTED SOURCES: Three (3) small businesses were contacted and displayed interest in this requirement.

11. STEPS TO FOSTER COMPETITION: Market research will be conducted to see what other communications systems exist when the Motorola system becomes obsolete and is due for re-competition. If there are other cost effective options at that time the Government will explore those alternatives.

12. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION: The using activity has certified that the technical requirements and certifications are complete and accurate.

13. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: The Contracting Officer’s signature on the Justification Review Document represents certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge.