Signed_JA.pdf

AFLCMC/WNKABA 15 SEP 2015 468-0887

LENORA J. ELLIOTT

16 Sep 15 472-0578

Digitally signed by

ELLIOTT.LENORA.J.1230

763670 Date: 2015.09.15 20:58:20 -04'00'

Digitally signed by

EPPERSON.CHARLES.R.1103770811

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USAF, cn=EPPERSON.CHARLES.R.1103770811 Date: 2015.09.16 15:34:23 -04'00'

MCDONALD

.KIMBERLY.1

229900508

Digitally signed by

MCDONALD.KIMBERLY.12299005

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USAF, cn=MCDONALD.KIMBERLY.12299 00508 Date: 2015.09.29 16:43:35 -04'00'

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

This individual Justification and Approval to request authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition supports requirements generated for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Support Equipment & Vehicles Division (WNZCB). The contracting authority for this requirement is the Support Equipment & Vehicles Contracting Branch (WNKABA). The Purchase Request Number supporting this contracting action is F1PT7A-15-80022.

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

Due to the circumstances described herein, this activity requests the repair services described below be acquired using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency in support of Osan AB, Kunsan AB, Davis Monthan AFB, Hickam AFB, and Hurlburt AFB using the approved clean agent NOVEC 1230. This action will result in a new, one year, firm-fixed price (FFP) contract. This sole source requirement will be procured from the following company:

Vital Link Inc. Cage 0ZV99 914 Bartlett Road, Sealy, TX 77424 Small Business

Est Award Date: 30 September 2015

Period of Performance: Estimated to be 30 September 2015 to 30 September 2016

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

AGENCY’S NEEDS

This action is to obtain immediate approval of a sole source contract for the urgent repair of five T-10 Pneumatic Actuated Fire Suppression Systems (FSS) located at Osan AB, Kunsan AB, Davis Monthan AFB, Hickam AFB, and Hurlburt AFB using the approved clean agent NOVEC 1230.

The United States Air Force (USAF) uses Jet Noise Suppressors (JNS) to reduce overall noise levels of jet engines under test and each is equipped with a pneumatic actuated fire suppression system. The FSS is used as a safety measure to protect personnel and Air Force assets while testing military jet engines within the Noise Suppressors, commonly known as Hush Houses.

The FSS at these locations will utilize the clean extinguishing agent FK-5-1-12, commercially known as 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid as the fire-extinguishing agent.

The FSS utilized in T-10 jet noise suppressor is a “total flooding” system and utilizes halon as the extinguishing agent. Halon is banned from production worldwide by the Montreal Protocol as a Class 1 Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) and cannot be shipped overseas. Thus, leaving Osan and Kunsan AB inoperable due to shipping restrictions on the banned substance.

Because the Air Force cannot procure the banned substance, it leaves the operators of the jet noise suppressors to rely on the base fire department for the testing of engines. However, this is not a primary function for the fire department and is deemed unsatisfactory. In-Flight and other base emergencies take precedence over testing and must cease while the fire department responds. Also, the base fire department must allocate additional manpower to aid the jet noise suppressor operators during testing causing additional strains on the functionality of the fire department. For Davis-Monthan, Hickam, and Hurlburt Field; although these locations are state side the same issue applies.

Furthermore, these locations do not have a fire suppression system included, once a noise suppressor is relocated, the current system is removed. Moreover, there is no source for halon to sustain Jet Noise Suppressors pneumatic actuated fire suppression systems. This effort will utilize the approved clean agent NOVEC 1230.

The approved funding is 3400 appropriation which will be used in this effort.

Total estimated dollar value is and the basis for the value is based on a ROM provided by Vital Link Inc.

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

10 USC 2304(c)(2), as implemented by FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency.

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 nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above; due to a risk assessment IAW MIL-STD-882D Department of Defense Standard Practice for System Safety, was conducted by HQ ACC and Robins AFB assessing the risk of operating jet noise suppressors without a pneumatic actuated fire suppression system. The severity of the fire risk in a jet noise suppressor without an operational fire suppression system could be catastrophic. The resulting risk level to system safety is serious and poses unacceptable risk.

Jet noise suppressor’s pneumatic actuated fire suppression systems will not have operational capability and will not function as originally designed, hindering aircraft engine testing. After undergoing maintenance, aircraft engines must be tested prior to flight. If a jet noise suppressor fire suppression system is inoperable, a stand-by fire truck must be onsite for all engine operational checks. This is a significant safety concern because it ties up fire department personnel and equipment and increases their response time to other potential emergencies on base. Furthermore, the fire suppression system is designed to discharge within seconds, whereas the fire department would take several minutes to gain access to the jet noise suppressor and begin firefighting efforts; this additional time endangers the lives of personnel working inside of the jet noise suppressors as well as increasing risk to valuable aircraft and/or engines.

The fire suppression systems located at Osun AB Korea, Kunsan AB Korea, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ , Hickam AFB, HI and Hurlburt Field, AFB, FL are currently inoperable. Therefore, a functioning fire suppression system is required for operation of the jet noise suppressor. The resulting risk level to system safety is serious and poses unacceptable risk to aircraft mission rates, engine spare levels, and safety for personnel.

Awarding this contract to a company other than Vital Link, a complete reengineering effort would need to be accomplished first. Based on estimates by jet noise suppressor engineers, a reengineering effort would take two years and cost approximately $5M resulting in duplicate and time schedule issue delays. The government would not be able to recoup this cost through competition.

A sustaining engineering project for the T-10 Jet Noise Suppressor pneumatic actuated fire suppression system was completed by Vital Link, Inc. in FY 11. The sustaining engineering project was for re-configuring the T-10 pneumatic actuated fire suppression system to accept the NOVEC 1230 fire extinguishing agent. NOVEC 1230 is a new generation “clean agent” with no ozone depleting potential. VLI, acting as the prime contractor, in partnership with Hiller Systems Inc., Siemens Inc., and 3M, was responsible for the design, installation and testing of the NOVEC 1230 and is the only agent currently on the market that meets all of the following T-10 Jet Noise Suppressor fire extinguishment agent requirements: non-corrosive; no clean-up required after discharge; compatible with jet noise suppressor materials and test equipment; safe for humans; EPA approved; ability of field personnel to locally service the system (field fill-able agent); and “total flooding system.”

The government has requested a ROM as recent as April 2015 to purchase the drawings, software, and data; however, Vital Link responded that the data is proprietary and they are not interested in furnishing a quote. Therefore, other sources would not be capable of upgrading the pneumatic actuated fire suppression system using NOVEC 1230 in the T-10 jet noise suppressor at Davis-Monthan.

The drawing package and pneumatic actuated fire suppression system software is owned by Vital Link, Inc. The pneumatic actuated fire suppression system consist of highly specialized equipment such as extinguishing agent bottles, manifolds and nozzles, pneumatic actuation system, electronic control panels, and associated software and wiring. In addition to owning the drawing package and software, Vital Link also owns the data required to enable communication between the pneumatic actuated fire suppression system and the Facility Control Systems (FCS).

The FCS controls the positions of the roll up doors, turning vanes, and main doors, in addition to controlling the lighting and alarm systems.

Accordingly, Vital Link, Inc. is the only firm capable of providing the supplies and services described in Section III above without the U.S. Air Force experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

This requirement will not be synopsized on FedBizOps based on the urgency of the requirement.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The overall cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable to the government. In accordance with FAR 15.403-4, the contractor will be required to provide certified cost or pricing data to be used in supporting the government’s evaluation of the proposed cost. The certified cost or pricing data will be evaluated utilizing cost analysis techniques as required by FAR 15.404-1. A technical analysis as described in FAR 15.404-1(e) shall also be requested to assist the Contracting Officer in accurately evaluating the contractor’s proposed prices. Negotiations will be held in accordance with FAR Part 15 procedures to ensure the ultimate price is both fair and reasonable to the Government.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

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

CONDUCTED

Market research was conducted on 17 June 2015 in accordance with FAR Part 10 using on-line searches of company websites and the Small Business website (SBA) in addition to reviewing historical internal data. Additionally, searches of FBO company/NAICS descriptions are conducted regularly in an attempt to identify additional sources. This research confirmed that the only company with rights to the current T-10 jet noise suppressor using NOVEC 1230 is Vital Link, Inc.

The AMC/AMSC of 2Q/2H is identified on the contract repair screening analysis worksheet.

Hiller Systems, Inc. and Vital Link, Inc. are the only contractors available that possess the requisite data and have previously performed the installation and repairs of the Hush House FSSs; procurement history in the past has referenced additional sources other than Hiller Systems, Inc. and Vital Link, Inc. The reason is because the FSS is a subcomponent of the jet noise suppressor and does not have its own NSN; it is not an end item, thus the reason for the AMC code of 2Q/2H.

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

OPEN COMPETITION

None.

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

Previously, in 2008 the program office submitted a J&A stating that the AF intended on competing future efforts regarding the Fire Suppression System. Funding and scheduling requirements were submitted to Headquarters Air Force however, the program office never received funding from HQ AF to begin implementation of said plan previously stated in 2008.

As a result, the lack of funding pushed the schedule to the right and the AF was not able to begin its intended plans of replacing current systems globally. In 2011, the program office submitted a sustaining engineering project to follow through with said plans to find a replacement agent for Halon 1301. The Air Force identified in, 2013 once the project was completed, NOVEC 1230 as the solution to remove Halon 1301 from all Fire Suppression Systems. Nevertheless, the project was only partially funded. The previous J&A in 2008 states that the program office would procure data as a result of the development of NOVEC 1230, but was not able to due to funding restrains. The sustaining engineering effort only funded enough for the development and replacement of the Fire Suppression System, located at Dannelly Field, Alabama. Numerous attempts were made, most recently April 2015, to acquire data from the contractor but was unsuccessful due to the contractor not wanting to sell the data. Currently, the program office has begun working a long term acquisition to provide the fleet with a repair effort to repair Pneumatic Actuated Fire Suppression Systems containing the clean agent NOVEC 1230 which will be used in the T-9, T-10, T-11 and T-12 jet noise suppressors. Currently, the USAF has 110 jet noise suppressors in inventory. After completion of the aforementioned bases, it will leave 105 jet noise suppressors that will need their pneumatic actuated fire suppression system repaired, for competition. The program has completed a rough draft of a request for information concerning the effort and will host an industry day in the month of October. The IPT has hosted its pre contract review team review to determine schedule on 18 June 2015. Currently, the IPTs estimated completion date is , with an anticipated award date of .

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 (FAR 6.303-2(b)(12)).

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 (FAR 6.303-2(c)).