DJTMZ9D589_Rationale.pdf

Limited Sources Rationale

Subject: Funding No. DJTMZ9D589

The following paragraphs, IAW FAR Part 13.106-1(2)(b), are provided to support Sole Source justification for proposed orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

The Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), JTE1 Transport Systems Branch requires the purchase of one (1) ACTC-IW-CT#-rev2 W Channel Controller Simulator Terminal from Able Communications Technology Corporation (AbleComm) for testing to support the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) Integrated Waveform program. The IW Channel Controller Simulator is a system consisting of a PC with at least one full-size PCI Card slot that contains custom PCI Card hardware and custom software originally designed by AbleComm which enable the assembly to function as a software defined radio capable of transmitting and receiving the MIL-STD-188-181C Waveforms which do not have integrated forward error correction. A firm fixed-price award will be made in the estimated amount of $16,772.00.

JITC has developed detailed test procedures for testing and certifying UHF SATCOM terminals implementing MIL-STD-188-181C/182B/183B. These test procedures have been reviewed and accepted by the user community and the government customer. These procedures were developed and validated using the identified AbleComm test equipment.

Additionally, the procedures outline detailed steps unique to the identified AbleComm test equipment. If JITC were to procure equipment other than from AbleComm, then the procedures will have to be rewritten to address the new equipment. The Government will incur additional cost associated with the test procedure rewrite and re-validation of the test procedures. The cost of testing and validating the performance of new equipment as acceptable for JITC certification would be an estimate of 16 weeks at an estimated cost of $28,000.

JITC requires equipment that will deliver price measurements to support their requirements. The end users have been using the identified AbleComm test equipment for over a year and have evaluated the performance of the equipment as actable to conduct MIL-STD conformance testing. Procuring equipment other than the identified AbleComm test equipment will require the end user to validate the performance of the new equipment. The Government will incur additional cost associated with the development effort. The cost associated with analysis and comparison of test data results with new equipment against equipment currently being used for certification would be an estimate of 3 weeks at an estimated cost of $10,000.

The purchase of the identified AbleComm test equipment will allow for continuity and consistency of test results amongst numerous customers requiring MIL-STD-188- 181C/182B/183B certification. Procuring equipment other than from AbleComm would potentially result in all certification test customers the opportunity to protest their results.

When performing MIL-STD certification testing, each customer should be evaluated against the same requirements, procedures, and equipment to ensure they are all evaluated equally. The cost to re-write test procedures to include new equipment if acceptable and suitable for JITC certification would be an estimate of 2 weeks at an estimated cost of $4,000.

The identified AbleComm test equipment, including associated software, hardware, and ancillary equipment is form, fit, and functionally essential as a part of existing testbed configuration. Procuring the same test equipment from AbleComm is more efficient, timely, and economical than to purchase a complete system replacement. Procurement of this item from a different vendor would result in retrofitting the testbed configuration. If JITC were to procure equipment other than from AbleComm, the end users will require additional training on the new equipment. The Government will incur additional cost associated with the training effort. Cost required to train all testers on new equipment and updated test procedures is estimated at 1 week at a cost of $4,000.

An estimated time delay with procuring the test equipment from another vendor to design, build, and deliver the test equipment is approximately 14 months. This estimate is based on the time it took for AbleComm to provide the test equipment. The cost to the government program manager of schedule test delays would be an estimate of $150,000 per week. The estimated number of weeks testing would be delayed to perform tasks (a) thru (e) above associated with purchase of new equipment other than from AbleComm would be approx. 22 weeks at an estimated cost of $3.3M. This cost doesn’t include the time it would take for another vendor to design, build, and deliver the test equipment.

AbleComm’s design and testing documentation is controlled and not accessible to other vendors. The additional cost to the government would exceed $3.346MIL.

JITC has a requirement to complete MIL-STD-188-185A Phase two conformance test procedure development by May 2010 and conformance testing by August 2010. Per DISA schedule, JITC will receive multiple IW UHF SATCOM terminals needing to be tested and certified for Phase 2 MIL-STD conformance in May 2010. If the purchase of the IW Satellite Channel Controller is not made, then DISA’s test schedule of when the testing needs to be completed at this time cannot be met. If sole source (AbleCom) was not used and another vendor was contracted to develop the custom test tool software, schedule would slip by 2 years which would be unacceptable to the customer, Joint Staff, STRATCOM & warfighters needing upgraded capability of JITC certified Phase two IW terminals and a certified Phase two IW Satellite Channel Controller which needs to be tested & certified for standard conformance prior to fielding. If purchase of the IW Channel Controller Simulators is not done by sole source, JITC testing will be delayed at minimum of three years, fielding of this new capability will be delayed at a minimum of two years and JITC will be unable to efficiently perform required testing. Not purchasing these items will have a serious impact to the mission. Slip in schedule would be attributed to time to develop the software by a different vendor (minimum of two years) & time needed by JITC to validate the IW Channel Controller Simulator software meets the requirements (minimum of 1 year) and is acceptable to be used as a test tool to test and certify Phase two IW terminals and the Phase two IW Satellite Channel Controller.

Based on the justification provided by JITC, a determination has been made to solicit sole source the above described requirement.

Prepared by:

Meghan L. White 11 May 2010

Concur:

Beverly L. Jones Contracting Officer Date: 12 May 2010