Attachment 2 - Brand Name Justification and Approval - NVG_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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I. Contracting Activity.

18th Contracting Squadron/PKA, Beerbower Rd., Okinawa, Japan 96367

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

This acquisition is for an NVG Training Upgrade and will be awarded as a new firm fixed price contract with a brand name restriction for equipment manufactured by Night Readiness LLC. The below section provides a breakdown of the requested equipment.

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

The 18th OSS/OSE is requesting a Virtual Terrain Board (VTB) Upgrade with the below specifications from Night Readiness LLC:

Part No. NRVTB003.0UP Software Upgrade version 4.0. Product Description: Virtual Terrain Board (VTB) Version

4.0 software upgrade. SW USA Database set and SE USA Database set. Software upgrade applies to customers' existing VTB version 3.0 classroom system. Only compatible with v4.0., F15 Airframe Wingman Scenario, C130 Airframe Wingman Scenario, KC135 Refueling Scenario, Computer hardware required for the v4.0 Upgrade, F-16 Airframe Wingman Scenario, F-22 Airframe Wingman Scenario, F-35 Airframe Wingman Scenario, Train-the- Trainer Refresher Class

Night Readiness LLC has confirmed they are the sole manufacturer of this system. Night Readiness is the only manufacturer that can provide the training system upgrade since they are the only night vision system that can fully integrate into the existing hardware/software. Replacing this system would require a complete swap of the already existing night vision training system. This upgrade of the user interface system is compatible with current system equipment, and there are no known companies or systems, besides Night Readiness' system, that offer a compatible system upgrade. Award for any other equipment is anticipated to increase procurement cost to the government and in the interest of cost savings it is recommended to solicit this requirement with a brand name restriction for the item listed above provided by Night Readiness LLC.

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

DAFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

Night Readiness LLC is the only known manufacturer of a Virtual Terrain Board (VTB) Training System that is projected onto a wall and is compatible with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). Using Night Readiness' VTB Training System allows students to gain the most realistic training since the system utilized the NVGs students use when on flying missions. Other training systems offer physical terrain boards that require a large area to conduct training or computer based training that does not allow use of the physical NVG Units that the students will be operating when on flying missions.

Night Readiness LLC has confirmed they are the sole manufacturer of this system. Night Readiness is the only manufacturer that can provide the training system upgrade since they are the only night vision system that can fully integrate into the existing hardware/software. Replacing this system would require a complete swap of the already existing night vision training system. This upgrade of the user interface system is compatible with current system equipment, and there are no known companies or systems, besides Night Readiness' system, that offer a compatible system upgrade.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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

An inquiry of potential authorized distributors was sent to the company; Night Readiness LLC stated they are the only authorized distributor for this product in the United States. They have a reseller for Southeast Asia, AEROSAFE PTE LTD, POC: Bobby Phang, Bobby@aerosafe.com.sg, +(65) 6481 8279 and another for Europe / Africa / Australia / New Zealand, JFJ GmbH, POC: Josef Joachimbauer, josef.joachimbauer@jfj.at, +43 664 8253360. Neither of these companies are registered on SAM.gov. Night Readiness LLC stated they are looking to add new resellers for South/Central America and US Domestic.

A sources sought was posted on SAM.gov on 1 Aug 2024 through 8 Aug 2024 to find potential vendors that could fulfill this requirement. Two vendors responded to the sources sought. BHPE LLC, responded to the sources sought, stating they were interested in contributing to the market research efforts for this requirement by providing information and insights; however, they did not provide a capabilities statement to verify they could fulfill the Government's requirement. OREADY LLC responded to the sources sought with a capabilities statement confirming they would be able to provide the requirement.

Night Readiness LLC is a small business under the NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services).

Both vendors that responded to the sources sought were also small business registered under the mentioned NAICS. Due to the prevalence of potential vendors under the the above mentioned NAICS, a small business set aside was suggested.

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

IAW AFMAN11-202V1 1.3.2.5 the lead training command for all Night Vision Device (NVD) academic training is AETC. The lead training center, on Randolph AFB, utilizes a computer-based digital terrain board by Night Readiness LLC instead of a static terrain board. All student's receive their initial training using the equipment at Randolph AFB. Per AFMAN11-201V1 3.1.5.13 aviators must receive NVD refresher training as prescribed by the MAJCOM, but not to exceed one Air Expeditionary Force cycle, or not to exceed 24 months. Additionally, the 18 OSS/OSE is looking to upgrade their equipment to maintain continuity amongst previously existing equipment.

The procurement of the NRVTB003.0UP Software Upgrade version 4.0. is necessary to maintain congruency with the existing system actively in use by 18 OSS/OSE. To shift systems from Night Readiness LLC. to another brand would incur unnecessary cost to the Government.

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

A search on the Government database FPDS-NG was conducted to find similar prior contracts. Researched VTB NVG Training on the Government Sam.gov and found previous sole source contract by 4 CONS, FA480923P0097, to Night Readiness LLC; reached out to CS/CO on the contract to gain more insight on the requirement. Contacted Night Readiness LLC to inquire whether they have any authorized distributors for their product. This is a brand name requirement; however, Night Readiness LLC stated they are sell directly to their USDoD customers. They have two resellers (AEROSAFE PTE LTD and JFJ GmbH); however, neither is registered on SAM.gov. A sources sought was posted on SAM.gov. BHPE LLC responded and expressed their interest in the contracting opportunity. OREADY LLC responded confirming they are a vendor capable of providing the requirements set fourth in the sources sought.

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

There are no other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition aside from those that are listed above.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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

BHPE LLC, responded to the sources sought, stating they were interested in contributing to the market research efforts for this requirement by providing information and insights; however, they did not provide a capabilities statement to verify they could fulfill the Government's requirement. OREADY LLC responded to the sources sought with a capabilities statement confirming they would be able to provide the requirement.

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.

A sources sought was posted on the government point of entry on 1 Aug 2024 through 8 Aug 2024 to find potential vendors that could fulfill this requirement. Two vendors responded to the sources sought. BHPE LLC, responded to the sources sought, stating they were interested in contributing to the market research efforts for this requirement by providing information and insights; however, they did not provide a capabilities statement to verify they could fulfill the Government's requirement. OREADY LLC responded to the sources sought with a capabilities statement confirming they would be able to provide the requirement. OREADY LLC and Night Readiness LLC are the only identified vendors who are authorized to distribute the NRVTB003.0UP Software Upgrade version 4.0.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidence 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 evidence by my signature above, I certify that the supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.