FIS_JustificationandApproval - Competition Advocate signature - 2025-09-30 (004)_Redacted.pdf

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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Procurement Office responsible for the proposed contracting action is the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division (CCSD), (AFLCMC/HNCKJ).

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

The Advanced Atmospheric Research Equipment (AARE) system performs a critical role in the national nuclear treaty monitoring mission. The suite includes an airborne gas and particulate sampling subassembly. The particulate sampling platform, or foil contains 13 filter paper cartridges that are automatically manipulated to place one filter in the aircraft exterior air stream at a time. Established "jukebox" Wurlitzer-technology is used to lift and place each filter in the air stream much like the old jukeboxes would select a specific record and place it on the turntable. The Filter Insertion System (FIS) was redesigned approximately 10 years ago. The newer design maximizes the strength of the machined aluminum parts with efficient weight reduction designs to keep the subassembly strong and as lightweight a possible. The alignment tool ensures components are aligned and not obstructed during this process. Mis-alignment could result in mission failure and/or damage to the aircraft. Very tight tolerances must be maintained with the Filter Insertion System (FIS) components to provide form/fit and function in a very tight envelope on the airframe. This requirement, will be a new Firm Fixed Price contract to procure Filter Insertion Systems in support of the Advanced Atmospheric Research Equipment (AARE) system described in this section.

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

The United States Air Force has a requirement to manufacture the approved quantities of Filter Insertion System (FIS) assemblies and Alignment tools and provide updated and complete drawings from red-line to production. Updated drawings will enable any qualified vendor to produce these systems, thus ensuring the delivery of the Filter Insertion System (FIS) assemblies to sustain mission readiness. However, vendor qualification is not limited to those that can simply produce this equipment. Qualification includes extensive testing to ensure the equipment being installed on the airframe is suitable for in-flight operation, meets airworthiness standards through testing, and passes ground and flight tests.

Vendor Name: Sierra Peaks

POP: 1 Sep 2025 - 31 Aug 2026

Amount: $935,535.68

Contract Type: FFP

Appropriation: 3400 funds will be used for this requirement.

CLIN Item Description Quantity Unit Estimated Unit Price Estimated Total Cost

0001 Alignment Tool 3 EA

0002 Drawings 1 EA

0003 Production FIS & Base Assemblies

4 EA

Total:

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

The FIS assembly and FIS parts are critical components of the airborne platform. Sierra Peaks is the only company with the program history, experience and capabilities that can provide the combined engineering and manufacturing services that are required to meet the US Air Force's objectives for maintenance, support and sustainment of the WC-135 nuclear debris collection system. Sierra Peaks is the current manufacturer of FIS components; these components are called out in the Technical Orders, Technical Instructions and drawings identifying Sierra Peaks as the manufacturer of choice. The AARE system has been base-lined and is under configuration control by the AARE Configuration Control Board (CCB). The base-lined documentation calls out these specific items to be used on the AARE platform as referenced in Technical Instructions 1A-AARE-1 and 1A-AARE-4. Due to the complexity of the AARE suite and FIS subassembly, there are occasions when the repair capability exceeds the expertise of our technicians creating the need for replenishment per this Purchase Request.

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

There were no sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

X. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The designer of the AARE was Sandia Labs in Albuquerque, NM. They contracted to Sierra Peak (formerly MSI) for much of their fabrication of the FIS assembly due to their precision machining/ manufacturing expertise. The assembly must meet Airworthiness certification and inspection requirements. There is no single document that comprehensively details each component of the Filter Insertion System (FIS) or the core elements of the AARE system. The AARE system was certified as a complete, integrated system rather than as individual components. Before flight testing, all relevant data is submitted for review by the System Program Office (SPO), before it is ever installed for ground testing. If it passes, it then moves to flight testing, then the system undergoes final evaluation. Upon this step, approval is granted for operational deployment of the weapon system-AARE in this case. Any change to the configuration must go through approval at the SPO and Configuration Control Board (CCB). Currently CCB guidance directs FIS purchases to MSI. Continuous research, testing and qualifications are ongoing to identify machinists that can produce products the CCB would recommend. Following the previous contract's completion, the Government was confident that it possessed all the necessary data. To date, no products have been identified as suitable substitutes, because it was determined that the Government does not possess the data that is necessary to recreate these items. The need for additional data was identified after contacting multiple contractors in an effort to seek out new/additional suppliers. To address the Government's oversight, the contractual requirements have been updated, to be clear and encompassing. Additionally, the Government has strengthened their engineering and manufacturing expertise to prevent similar situations of data gaps in the future. After the Government acquires the revised/ updated drawings, all future acquisitions/solicitations will include a sufficient period for new vendors to go through the CCB process in an effort to increase the vendor pool for these parts.

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge

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XII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

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