JA_SPYDR_FINAL_Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY14 Nov 2017

NOTE: If a Justification and Approval was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved J&A for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant J&A. This applies to J&A staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor J&A will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

Funding level for this acquisition: < $700K > $700K and < $13.5M > $13.5M and < $93M > $93M

Contracting Activity: ALCMC/WNU

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: TBD

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): Pulse/Hypoxia Observation Gear (PHOG)

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): PEO

Authority: 6.302-2 – 10 USC 2304(c)(2), Unusual and Compelling Urgency

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): J&A Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity

AFLCMC/WNU,

Signature

Date Contracting Officer

AFLCMC/WNU,

Date Local Legal Reviewer

AFMCLO/JANS,

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date Contracting Officer

Chief, Aircrew Performance Branch

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY14 Nov 2017

I. Contracting Activity.

Department of the Air Force Air Force Material Command Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Human Systems Program Office (HSPO) 1981 Monahan Way, Bldg. 12 Wright Patterson, AFB, OH 45433-7017

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

This Justification and Approval (J&A) implements 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (2) Other than Full and Open Competition, Unusual and Compelling Urgency IAW FAR 6.302-2(a)(2). This J&A outlines the United States Air Force (USAF) requirement for a device in T-6 training aircraft to detect, predict, warn and record aircrew of hypoxia symptoms before the episode occurs. This requirement will be fulfilled under contract FA8606-18-M-0012, a new Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contractual vehicle.

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

A. Air Combat Command (ACC) has a requirement for a non-invasive device in the T-6A Texan to detect, monitor, warn and record aircrew of hypoxia or hypoxia-like symptoms before the episode occurs. The SPYDR device, by Spotlight Labs, is a lightweight standalone device which is integrated into the earcup of the aircrew's helmet and can detect, monitor and record multiple physiological and performance characteristics. The device will provide real-time monitoring of the aircrew's inhalation, specifically ppO2. It will also detect if oxygen partial pressure dips below a predefined level and alert the aircrew in a manner capable of arousing an individual who may have become impaired by symptoms. For safety purposes, it cannot decrease the ability of the wearer to perform related tasks over the duration of the mission to inlcude high-G maneuvering, bailout, 600 knots equivalent air speed (KEAS) ejection, parachute opening, ditching and crash landing. The device must be compatible with and not degrade existing Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) and helmet mounted avionics devices.

B. Under the contemplated contract, the Government will award a contract to Spotlight Labs for 20 SPYDR devices for operational testing (OT). The total estimated cost , to include 20 SPYDR devices, engineering support at OT and a final summary report. The delivery date is . The program will be funded with FY18 3600 funds.

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

10 USC 2304(c)(2) as implemented by FAR 6.302-2(a)(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).

Spotlight Labs is the only company that can provide a hypoxia monitoring device that can meet the Government's urgent requirement. The T-6 fleet was grounded on 3 Feb 2018 due to unexplained physiological events (UPEs). Since November 2017, there have been 35 instances of pilots experiencing "hypoxia like symptoms" while flying training sorties. Symptoms have included dizziness and loss of memory and disorientation while in flight and for a period of time after landing. These symptoms can cause loss of life and associated aircraft. The purchase of Spotlight Labs SPYDR device will allow for operational testing with the intent to gather data related to the UPEs. The data gathered will be used to assess and analyze the UPE, determine root cause analysis and derive a solution. This will serve as the first step in eliminating the current grounding of the T-6 fleet which is crucial to the mission of the USAF and Defense of the Nation. The T-6 Texan training aircraft serves as a training aircraft for USAF fighter pilots. Grounding of the T-6s has a direct adverse impact on military readiness by halting pilot training.

Thorough market research has identified only one company, Spotlight Labs, with the unique technology needed for operational testing. The SPYDR device is unique in that it is the least intrusive pulse monitor for pilots available. It is

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY14 Nov 2017 easily integrated into existing helmets (in the earcup) and can be produced and fielded immediately.

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

Due to the urgency of the requirement, a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) was not posted on FBO. Other research was conducted to include online research and discussions with the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), F-16 and F-22 program offices to gain a better understanding of vendors in the marketplace who could meet this urgent requirement as both have worked similar hypoxia-like issues in the past.

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

The contracting officer will ensure the cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable to the Government in accordance with FAR 15.4 The program office has resources available in-house to accomplish detailed engineering/ technical analysis.

A technical evaluation will be performed to determine whether the costs proposed are reasonable and appropriate for the effort at hand. In accordance with the Truth in Negotiations Act, the contracting officer will obtain certified cost or pricing data as required by FAR 15.403, as appropriate, to ensure that the contractor's proposed costs are current, accurate and complete.

These measures will ensure that the contracting officer can certify the contract costs and price agreements as being 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.

See section VI above.

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

None

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

This acquisition is for a small quantity of devices for urgent operational testing on T-6 training aircraft. Any follow-on effort for devices beyond operational testing will be contracted separately and is beyond the scope of this J&A. Market research will be conducted prior to any subsequent acquisitions. If market research supports additional industry entries into the marketplace, the Government will write a performance based specification for that acquisition.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY14 Nov 2017

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.