MFF_O2_Bailout_Bottles_-_Redacted.pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Revised: June 2017

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

Justification and Approval (J&A)

MFF Oxygen Bailout Bottles Brand Name – COBHAM PHANTOM

August 2017

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 17-015

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

Authority: (10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 13.501)

Project/Program Name: MFF Oxygen Bailout Bottle

Component/PEO/Other: U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): REDACTED

Type J&A: (Individual or Class )

J&A No.

17-1360

1. Agency and Contracting Activity:

HQ, United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Deputy Chief of Staff, Contracting, Building E-2929, Fort Bragg, North Carolina 28310

2. Description of Action:

This acquisition is for a new, Firm-Fixed Price purchase order using FY 2017 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding to purchase MFF Oxygen Bailout bottles with RA-1 harness/container compatible MFF Oxygen Bottle Pocket. This requirement is for the purchase of 252 MFF Oxygen Bottles. REDACTED

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The Cobham PHANTOM Jump Bottle System (part number B47310-1) provides supplemental oxygen to military parachutists during High Altitude Low Opening and High Altitude High Opening missions using the RA-1 Military Free Fall Parachute system in the Double Bag Static Line or Free Fall deployment modes.

Supports exit altitudes up to 35,000 feet mean sea level when used with the Parachutist Oxygen Mask. Consists of a high pressure oxygen cylinder, a manifold/pressures reducer assembly, and a low pressure oxygen hose assembly. The cylinder/bottle is a fully wrapped carbon-fiber reinforced aluminum lined composite cylinder. The cylinder/bottle is a 122 cubic inch capacity and is designed for a service pressure of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch gage (psig).

The MFF Oxygen Bailout Bottle is part of an oxygen related support system that is required to augment MFF Parachutist ISO MFF operations. The manifold/pressures reducer assembly reduces the cylinder’s high pressure aviators breathing oxygen into regulated low pressure that feeds the parachutist oxygen mask. The manifold/pressures reducer assembly is fitted with a pressure gauge, on-off switch, console hose inlet, filler valve and a pressure relief valve.

The MFF Oxygen Bailout Bottle's increased capability provides additional oxygen to the MFF parachutists conducting High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) stand-off operations.

When the Parachutist Oxygen Bottle is attached to a pre-breathing console the parachutist cannot “sip” (unintentionally draw) oxygen from the cylinder/bottle. When the

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 17-015

Parachutist Oxygen Bottle is disconnects from a pre-breathing console, aviators breathing oxygen automatically flows through the oxygen hose assembly to the mask upon parachutist inhalation. 36-inch long Oxygen Hose Assembly that is fabricated from silicone rubber tubing reinforced with corrosion resistant steel (CRES) wire and covered with protective fabric or equivalent.

4. Authority Cited:

10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 13.501, Sole Source acquisitions, to include Brand Name, conducted under simplified acquisition procedures. Only one brand is suitable for this requirement because the supplies are unique or highly specialized.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

Cobham is the manufacturer and holds proprietor rights to the 3000-psi bottles being procured and has only one US approved/authorized distributor ECI Defense Group.

Currently, no other company manufactures a 3000-psi oxygen bottle that is approved for fielding.

Reference US Army Evaluation Center, Final Report for the Developmental Test (DT) of the Advanced Ram Air Parachute System (ARAPS), paragraph 2.e. "When conducting Double Bag Static Line or MFF HAHO operations above 17,500 ft MSL, the UTC Air Delivery test team recommends that the 3,000-pound per square inch (psi) composite oxygen bailout bottle be used in lieu of the Twin-53 bottle. The 3,000-psi composite bottle is compatible with the Parachutist Oxygen Mask and ARAPS and can be filled with nearly double the amount of oxygen than that of the Twin-53. Due to the increasing probability of parachutists consuming available supplemental oxygen as seen during live jumps, the Twin-53 is not recommended for HAHO operations above 17,500 ft MSL."

In the past, units have utilized Twin-53 2100-psi oxygen bottles that were compatible with the MC-4 (legacy MFF parachute). With the implementation of the ARAPS, the 3000-psi bottles are required for compatibility and the safety of the jumpers as they are jumping from higher altitudes.

6. Efforts/Actions to Increase Competition:

A Combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be issued via Federal Business Opportunities, limited to the specific brand name products to allow Carleton Technologies and their authorized distributor & ECI Defense Group to provide a quote for the requested items.

Through every available means, USASOC will continue to monitor market information and technical publications to determine whether any other products are tested and approved for use. Before these oxygen bottles are purchased in the future, the Contracting Office will verify if other 3000-psi bottles (or greater) have been approved for use that are compatible with ARAPS. Specifically, the SOLR 3000 Bailout Bottles being manufactured by Airborne Systems. Based on information found on the internet, the SOLR Bailout Bottles will be available in 3000-psi and 4500-psi.

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 17-015

7. Market Research:

In accordance with FAR Part 10, DFARS Part 10, and SOFARS Part 10, market research was conducted on subject requirement to determine if the requested supplies could be procured as commercial items using the procedures outlined in FAR Part 12.

Additionally, market research was conducted to determine the availability of commercial sources capable of meeting the Government's requirements.

REDACTED

8. Other Authorities/Factors:

The 3,000-psi composite bottle is compatible with the Parachutist Oxygen Mask and ARAPS and can be filled with nearly double the amount of oxygen. Due to the increasing probability of parachutists consuming available supplemental oxygen as seen during live jumps.

9. Interested Sources:

Carleton Technologies, Inc. d.b.a Cobham, Airborne Systems – NJ, & ECI Defense Group

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.

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 17-015

10. Technical and Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

NAME: XXX—Redacted--XXX TITLE: USASOC Deputy G-4 (GS-15)

SIGNATURE: XXX—Redacted--XXX DATE: 11 Sep 17

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on similar acquisitions across DoD by Cobham.

CONTRACTING OFFICER SIGNATURE IN SECTION 12 BELOW ALSO SERVES AS

THE PRICE FAIR AND REASONABLENESS DETERMINATION IN THIS SECTION.

12. Contracting Officer Certification:

I hereby certify that this J&A is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: C. Scott Phelps TITLE: Contracting Officer

SIGNATURE: _________________________ DATE: 11 Sep 17

13. Legal: SOFARS 5601-1

I have reviewed this document and find the J&A legally sufficient to support other than full and open competition:

NAME: XXX—Redacted--XXX TITLE: Contracts Attorney USASOC

14. Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition Authority (PAAC).

SOFARS 5601-1

I have reviewed this document and find the J&A adequate to support other than full and open competition:

NAME: XXX—Redacted--XXX TITLE: Chief, USASOC Contracting