FY25 NOI PLA.docx

Notice of lntent Notice of Intent to Sole Source

This is a special notice is prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 5.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The contracting office for this notice is the 10th Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy, CO 80840.

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a sole source commercial contract using simplified procedures in accordance with FAR parts 12 & 13 to Plako, LLC. is located at 634 W. Paseo Norteno, Tucson, AZ 85704. The authority for this non-competitive award is 10 USC 2304(c)(l), only one responsible source. The NAICS code for this requirement is 611620 and the PSC is 6930. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is $9.0 million. This notice incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2025-03 effective 17 January 2025. The Government has deemed the Plako, LLC. to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance.

a. Only one responsible source and no other item will satisfy the USAFA requirement.

b. Plako, LLC. is the exclusive distributor of the Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA), a unique and innovative device manufactured by Plako, LLC. A detailed search on gsaadvantage.gov and other government sources of supply provided no vendors identified that can supply this product. Plako, LLC is listed as a small business and the exclusive sales entity for this product at this time.

c. This request is issued for the 98 FTS/DOJ. Anticipated award on or before 1 August 2025 (subject to availability of funds) as a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

Considering the above, there is only solution that meets USAFA's requirement. Therefore, the contracting officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available IAW FAR 13.106-l(b)(1).

REQUIREMENT:

determining when to initiate the flare sequence during day or night. PLA is a laser based sensor that gives the jumper an audible warning tone at the preselected altitude to begin the two-stage flare process and has the ability to data log the entire landing sequence in a graph format, allowing instructors and jumpers to critique their landings and make height adjustments as needed.

PLA is customizable and has a software GUI which allows for adjustment for alarm altitudes to correspond to various parachute types, sizes, and loads. It has a "smart landing logic" with a descent algorithm to adjust flare height to airspeed, turbulence, or flight mode changes.

Specifications:

· 32-bit micro-controller

· 120 Hz update rate

· Real-time clock

· 8GB installed micro SD card

· Data and configuration accessed via mini-B USB

· 3.5mm stereo headphone jack Battery • Built-in rechargeable lithium • Charge time: 3 hours • Operation time: 8 hours continuous Dimensions• Length 2.7" • Width 2.8" • Depth 1.9" • Weight 7oz Class 1 laser• Total laser power 1.3w • Beam diameter d/100 (70'=.7) Accuracy•< 16.4' +/- (l") typical•> 16.4' +/- (3.9") typical• Mean+/- 1% of distance maximum

Notice of

Intent

A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE POSTED. Based on market research conducted, the Government intends to proceed with this sole source action. This synopsis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement. Interested concerns must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses and questions shall be submitted to wanda.farr@us.af.mil and ronald.wilson.26@us.af.mil no later than 10:00am, MDT on 7 May 2025. Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-l(f) and will not be answered. Contractors must have a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) at http://sam.gov/. The Government bears no legal liability for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (JUL 2023)

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsmen, James Anderson 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone number 719-333-3829

FAX 719-333-9018

Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU or AFISRA level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2397, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause)