REDACTED_1st_SFC_-_Black_Daggers_(JA)_2018.pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Revised: June 2017

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

Justification and Approval (J&A)

Vertical Wind Tunnel Training 1st SFC (A) & Black Daggers

January 2018

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 18-005 / 18-1437

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: Vertical Wind Tunnel Use & Training

Component/PEO/Other: 1st Special Forces Command & Black Daggers

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): REDACTED

Type J&A: (Individual or Class )

J&A No.

18-005 / 18-1437

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 Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity

(IDIQ) contract using appropriated Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds for Indoor

– Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) training that provides a realistic in flight training venue for individuals and teams to practice in flight body stabilization drills and emergency procedures associated with Military Free Fall (MFF) for 1st Special Forces Command & the Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team (PDT). REDACTED

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

Vertical Wind Tunnel training provides a realistic in flight training venue for individuals and teams to practice in flight body stabilization drills and emergency procedures associated with Military Free Fall (MFF) program. The VWT is an ongoing requirement for the Command. This new acquisition are for the same services with increased volume and the POP will be for a base year plus four (4) option years. There is currently no MILCON approval to rebuild the Fort Bragg, NC wind tunnel.

4. Authority Cited:

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.

41 U.S.C. 1901as implemented by FAR 13.501, Sole Source acquisitions, to include

Brand Name, conducted under simplified acquisition procedures.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 18-005 / 18-1437

The only commercial vertical wind tunnel in close proximity to Fort Bragg, NC is the Paraclete XP Sky Venture located in Raeford, NC. All existing locations outside of the local Ft. Bragg area Raeford, NC facility would require additional travel cost and extended times away from home base (re: dwell time). Year round training is required, so open air facilities that are subject to inclement weather are not practical.

The Fort Bragg Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) has been beyond economical repair for several years, and currently, there is no 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 improving air skills, reduce injury and increase safety throughout the Command while conducting Military Free Fall (MFF) operations. 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.

REDACTED

The Black Daggers MFF team at FBNC require VWT training in order to maintain Free

Fall proficiency for the purposes of demonstrations and recruiting.

REDACTED

6. Efforts/Actions to Increase Competition:

A sources sought was posted on FBO from 09 – 27 November 2017 to gather data from industry that will allow the Government to identify interested sources capable of meeting the requirement and the potential for competition. REDACTED

Two responses were received: (1) Paraclete XP REDACTED

(2) Mercantile Advisors provided a “Mobile VWT” solution that would not be conducive to training and include unnecessary risk to new MFF personnel, as the mobile equipment would have to be shipped to Fort Bragg, NC each time for training and could only be used in fair weather conditions.

The Contracting Officer will re-evaluate at each option year to determine if another local wind tunnel is available.

7. Market Research:

In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research was conducted to determine if the requested services could be procured as commercial using the procedures outlined in FAR Part 12. The selected NAICS Code is 611620 " Sports and Recreation Instruction” with a Size Standard of $7.5M. The Product Service Code is W069 “Lease or Rental of Training Aids and Devices.”

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 18-005 / 18-1437

The only known commercial indoor-VWT in the local east coast area are Paraclete, located in Raeford, NC (10 miles) and iFly located in Virginia Beach, VA (248 miles).

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

XP SkyVenture in Raeford, NC.

8. Other Authorities/Factors:

REDACTED

9. Interested Sources:

Paraclete XP Sky Venture, LLC, 925 Doc Brown Road, Raeford, NC 28376 Phone: 910-904-

0027 Fax: 910-904-0557

Mercantile Advisors, LLC, 107 S West Street #831, Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-780-1151 iFly Indoor Skydiving, 2412 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Phone: 757-754-4359

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: REDACTED TITLE: HHC USASOC, Commander

SIGNATURE: XXX--Original Signed--XXX DATE: _________________

NAME: REDACTED TITLE: _COL, 1st SFC, Chief of Staff_________

June 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – J&A No. 18-005 / 18-1437

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.

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: REDACTED TITLE: Contracting Officer

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: REDACTED TITLE: _Contracts Attorney_

14. Agency Advocate for Competition (AAC): (If over Procuring Activity

Advocate for Competition Authority (PAAC), [see SOFARS 5601-1 for your component’s approval authorities], up to $13.5M. Note AAC must also sign above $13.5M. SOFARS 5601-1

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

NAME: _Barbara L. Bowles___________ TITLE: FCO/PAAC________