J A_VWT_(FY15).pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 15-361

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

Justification and Approval (J&A)

Vertical Wind Tunnel Training

October 2014

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

Authority: (10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(2), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1)

Project/Program Name: Vertical Wind Tunnel Use & Training

Component/PEO/Other: USASOC & USASFC

Estimated Contract Cost (including options) :

Type J&A: (Individual or Class )

J&A No.

15 - 361

1. Agency and Contracting Activity: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(1))

U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), DCS, Contracting (AOCO)

2. Description of Action: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(2))

The anticipated result of this acquisition effort is the procurement of 555 hours of Vertical Wind

Tunnel (VWT) training time from Paraclete XP SkyVenture, Raeford NC. The contract will be a

Firm, Fixed Price (FFP) acquisition using FY15 O&M funds. The Government estimate based on historical hourly rates is $ which includes the two optional years and mentoring/coaching sessions.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(3))

Services will be provided by Paraclete XP SkyVenture for the use of their VWT to include one wind tunnel operator and one Paraclete XP safety personnel. The annual requirement of 185 hours will be split between 3 rd

SFG (75), 1

st SFC(A)(P) (20), the Black Daggers PDT (40) and

USASOC Other (50). The contract will be for a base of 12 months and two optional years.

4. Authority Cited: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(4))

10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will

Satisfy Agency Requirements, as implemented by FAR 6.302-1.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(5))

The only commercial vertical wind tunnel in close proximity to Fort Bragg, NC is the Paraclete

XP SkyVenture located in Raeford, NC. All locations outside of the Raeford, NC would require additional travel costs and extended training times. Year round training is required, so open air facilities are not practical.

The Fort Bragg Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) has been beyond economical repair for two years, and currently, there is not a plan to repair it - too costly to repair the outdated facility. If a plan to rebuild comes to fruition, it will be with the latest wind turbine technology requiring MILCON funds.

Maintaining Freefall proficiency and currency will improve air skills, reduce injury and increase safety throughout the Command while conducting Military Free Fall (MFF) operations.

rd

SFG has ten MFF ODAs that require VWT training in order to maintain Free Fall proficiency for their forced entry capability. USASOC Reg 350-2 outlines levels of proficiency for MFF teams and the VWT training allows teams to maintain proficiency when aircraft are not available.

Teams will increase air awareness and malfunction procedures, reducing MFF incidents while conducting MFF operations. VWT training allows MFF jumpers to become familiar with new equipment and establish TTP's prior to live jumps.

The 1 st SFC(A)(P) G4 Aerial Deliver Section (ADS) works closely with the Airborne Test

Directorate and 1 st SFC(A)(P) G3/4/8 to conduct combat development of new equipment and require the use of the VWT to certify and test equipment for MFF Operations. ADS also schedules and conducts monthly VWT training. ADS invites SMs throughout USASOC and 1 st

SFC(A)(P) elements for the training. Additionally, ADS has an Advanced Military Free Fall and an AFF-I-SM instructor who conducts MFF training and MFF jump refresher to current MFF parachutists and candidates that will be attending the Military Free Fall Parachute Course

(MFFPC). Due to the shortage of instructors on Fort Bragg, the ADS instructors maintain their proficiency in order to conduct training to elements not having instructor ratings.

6. Efforts/Actions to Increase Competition: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(6))

A notice was or was not publicized as required

Market research was conducted to survey possible interested parties and locations. The

Government will continue to monitor this industry to increase competition by periodically conducting research in search of capable vendors who may enter this industry in the future.

7. Market Research: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8))

Market research identified the following skydiving facilities:

VWT at the Millitary FreeFall School in Yuma, Arizona; SkyVenture enclosed facilities are located in: Washington, Texas, Florida, California, Utah, Colorado, Massachusetts, Arizona and

Raeford, NC; Vegas Indoor Skydiving - Las Vegas, NV; Flyaway Indoor Skydiving -Pigeon

Forge, TN; Appalachian Amusement Center in Waynesville, NC is located four hours from Fort

Bragg, NC. However, this is an open air facility which is not conducive to year round training.

The only commercial vertical wind tunnel in close proximity to Fort Bragg, is Paraclete XP

SkyVenture in Raeford, NC. TDY costs for personnel to travel to other locations would not be cost effective to the Government.

The USSOCOM Technical Industrial Liaison Office (TILO) and Directorate IDIQ database were reviewed, and there are no other vendors in NC that meet the requirements.

8. Interested Sources: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)&(11))

Paraclete XP SkyVenture, LLC

925 Doc Brown Road

Raeford, NC 28376

Phone: 910-904-0027 Fax: 910-904-0557

9. Other Authorities/Factors: (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9))

VWT training simulates freefalling from altitudes over 10,000 feet without the safety issues inherent to a live MFF jump. Utilizing a simulated facility is paramount to student safety as it provides the students with increased ability to properly conduct freefall descent procedures and handle stresses prior to exiting the aircraft. The VWT also saves the Government additional blade hour and travel costs.

NOTICE 1

Prior to approval, J&As will be screened to identify proprietary data and information exempted from disclosure by 5 U.S.C. 552, Freedom of Information Act, so that the final J&A may be prepared for required posting to FedBizOpps IAW Section 844 of NDAA 2009 as implemented via DPAP Memo, Public Disclosure of Justification and Approval Documents for Noncompetitive Contracts, dated 13 February 2009. J&As shall be posted to FedBizOpps within 14 days unless 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(2), Unusual and Compelling Urgency is cited. In that particular case the J&A will be posted within 30 days. Information selected for removal will be highlighted in yellow much like this statement so that signature authorities will know what information will be removed after approval, before posting.