G16 MSWET Redacted JA.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAINING SYSTEMS DIVISION

12211 SCIENCE DRIVE

ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32826-3224

J&A No. 25-0349

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWC-TSD) Orlando, FL

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

Award of an FY26 contract on a sole source basis to Survival Systems USA, Inc. (SSUSA) for Modular Shallow Water Egress Trainers (MSWETs)

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The base contract action will procure five (5) MSWETs in support of Navy training at multiple Aviation Survival Training Centers. Option CLINs will be added to procure up to an additional four (4) devices. The MSWET consists of a stainless-steel frame, stainless-steel seat, and an attached modular bulkhead with interchangeable exits that replicate both cockpit and cabin helicopter exit. It is equipped with a five-point rotary restraint and Emergency Release System (ERS). The seat can be positioned to simulate either a pilot or copilot seat (exit to the side of the student) or passenger configuration (exit behind the student). The student is strapped into the seat and visually locates the exit release mechanism. The student grasps a reference point as the operator inverts the device. When completely inverted, the student opens the exit, releases the restraint, and pulls through the exit.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

SSUSA is the original designer, developer, and manufacturer of the MSWET. The initial contract, awarded in 2010, was designated as a sole-source procurement after the Government’s

J&A Number: 25-0349 market research efforts did not identify any other company capable of satisfying the specified requirements. SSUSA remains the only source with the requisite knowledge, experience, and technical expertise to fulfill the Government’s requirements.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

The NASTP technical team took several steps to identify possible vendors. On 30 June 2025, the NAWCTSD small business office was contacted for a vendor sources list. The small business office did not have any sources for MSWETs. On 07 July 2025, the NASTP team searched the SBA dynamic small business search database. SSUSA was the only company found for egress trainers. On that same date, a query was conducted on the Interagency Contract Directory of Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts and Multi Agency Contracts. No contract was found that could fulfill the requirements for this effort. The NASTP team also asked a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on staff with twenty-one years of Naval Aviation water survival training experience to help identify vendors for this contract. The SME was unaware of any company except SSUSA that could perform the required work.

The proposed contract was synopsized on the SAM website on 12 August 2025 with a closing date of 27 August 2025. Two companies responded to the sources sought: (1) Kirila Fire Training Facilities Inc. and (2) BHPE LLC. Kirila cannot meet the delivery timeline and BHPE LLC lacks both direct and related experience with the required tasking.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

NAWCTSD has no future requirement planned for this trainer. If one emerges, the Government will re-assess the viability of a competition.