Redactedsingle-source-justification_AWBS_Option_Yr_2.pdf

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION LETTER FOR OTHER THAN FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION

Automated Weight and Balance System (AWBS) Contract FA8202-12-C-1010 (Option Year 2)

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED

A. Upon approval to use other than full and open competition procedures, the Air Force will exercise the second option year of FA8202-12-C-1010 to update the A-10C AFF. This requirement is for support of the A-10 Automated Weight and Balance program and will be used by crew chiefs at all bases prior to each flight. A contract has been awarded sole source to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. Lockheed

Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76101 in September 2012. Contract Type & Structure: A service contract for engineering services to update the A-10 AFF software using Firm-Fixed-Pricing arrangement. The estimated date to exercise the second option year is September 2014 with delivery expected 12 months

ARO, or sooner.

B. Under the contemplated contract, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has and will continue to provide the engineering services to update the A-10 Automated Weight and Balance System (AWBS) program. The

A-10 operational units will receive an updated AFF software that incorporates any applicable changes to

Technical Orders. The AFF software is a critical piece of the A-10 pre-flight checklist to verify the aircraft Center-of-Gravity (CG) is within the safety specifications. The AWBS generates a Form F verifying that the A-10 aircraft stays within the CG window throughout the duration of flight. This requirement provides updates to the software currently in use, along with training and technical support to field units required to generate Forms F. The AFF uses known aircraft effectivity data to calculate the forward and aft limits and determine fuel tank capacities. It calculates all CG limits, in-flight limits, and fuel weights and moments. The AFF also calculates the most forward and aft conditions and verifies they are within limits. Prior to the AFF, Weight and Balance Technicians faced the complex task of generating Form F's for the aircraft by hand. Over time the limiting weight and balance factors have become more complex resulting in errors interpreting the weight and CG. Increases in the number of weight limits, in-flight limits, tire limits, nose wheel steering limits, and fuel capacities have compounded the problem. Additionally, multiple limits make identifying unsafe aircraft even more critical and complicated without automated software.

C. The PoP will be 12 months after receipt of order (ARO) for this exercised option.

D. Total Estimated Cost (for this option year): based on base year costs and historical financial data. This action is using appropriated funds .

2. JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLICITING FROM A SINGLE SOURCE

A. 10 USC 2304(c)as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

B. Because Lockheed Martin Aeronautics completed a nearly identical effort in terms of scope, dollar value, and PoP in 2010 and the previous 5+ years, the government awarded a multi-year contract, FA-8202-12-

C-1010, to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in September 2012. Continuing with the same contractor is in the best interest of the government both economically and efficiently. Lockheed Martin is the original owner and designer of the AWBS software since 1992, and owns 100% of the data rights. Over the years

Lockheed Martin has implemented specific AFF software not only on the A-10, but on ten other USAF platforms as well as multiple Army/Navy aircraft. The initial A-10 AFF contract was awarded to

Lockheed Martin in the 2000 timeframe due to their history and success of their AWBS program. The

AFF software was designed to incorporate the A-10’s unique flight profile in combat and addresses all of the flight stores that are defined in TO 1A-10C-1, 1-1B-50, and 1A-10C-5. Since the AWBS was originally developed, Lockheed Martin has maintained, upgraded, and delivered new versions of the software and currently owns all of the data rights to the software. In addition to owning the data rights to the software, Lockheed Martin is the only available source that employs software engineers that have access to the software and are trained to update the specific code.

C. The A-10 System Program Office (SPO) estimates that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government, which is not expected to be recovered through competition. While the Government maintains unlimited usage rights over the A-10 AFF software, a vendor other than Lockheed Martin does not have the access or knowledge of the system sufficient to update the software code. Based on other commercial Automated Weight and Balance systems available it is estimated that the Government would incur an estimated in development and start up costs, and a minimum of to implement their own software system to the various flight lines. This estimate is based on costs of software development and the complexity of fighter/attack aircraft and the wide variability of stores i.e. bombs, munitions, pods, external fuel tanks, etc, that change through duration of flight. A critical piece of software like this must also go through extensive testing and validation/verification processes before implementation increasing cost risks. Since stores on the aircraft are continuously changing and being added to the aircraft, year to year updates would be necessary to keep a government purchased and maintained AFF software current. The cost for annual updates to government purchased software would be just as much as the costs to update a contractor owned software, if not more. Developing a new AWBS system would have significant time and safety impacts as well as expected costs would be extremely higher than the cost of using the current developed software for this effort.

3. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION

A. Market research was conducted in February 2012 by the AWBS Program Manager, and Lead Engineer, . Market research consisted of internet searches, procurement history, and communications with T-38 and other AF platform program offices. While other commercial weight and balance programs exist for commercial aircraft, the complexity of the A-10 and the various amount of stores and combinations, combined with multiple CG and moment limits excluded them from consideration. After review of industry sources, it was determined that there were no other available software sources, either commercial or otherwise, that could produce an A-10 AFF without duplication of effort, significant cost to the government, and adversely affect flight safety. There is no other known source other than Lockheed Martin that possesses the software and expertise to update the current A-10

AFF software.

B. A Sources Sought was placed on fbo.gov on 24 March 2014 and closed 7 April 2014, announcement number FA8202-14-R-AWBS, seeking capable sources but received no response.

4. STEPS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE SINGLE SOURCE AWARDS

The A-10 SPO is researching the cost trade-off and feasibility of implementing a government owned AFF software. Some of the options include, design of a completely new software system, purchase complete data rights of current system and hire/train new software engineers to provide updates organically, or possibly modify a system that is in use by other platforms. More market research needs to be completed on the most cost effective way forward, and implementation into the following Suite 8 upgrade.

5. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S DETERMINATION

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Contracting Officer: ______ __ Date: __April 14, 2014________ http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/13.htm#P119_17056