DJTMZ7D651_MFR_redact.pdf

Limited Sources/Sole Source Rationale For all Requirements under $150K

1. REQUIRING AGENCY AND CONTRACTING OFFICE:

Requesting Agency:

Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) 2001 Brainard Road, Bldg. 57305 Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613

Contracting Office:

Defense Information Systems Agency/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization 2300 East Drive Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, 62225

2. Procurement Title: Tactical Data Link Integration Exerciser (TIGER) Desktop Software Subscription

Funding Document Number: DJTMZ7D651 Tracking Number: 831711063 Contract Number: To be determined Task/Delivery Order Number: Not applicable Estimated Value:

3. Statutory Authority: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

Soliciting from a single source.

4. Description of Action: The JITC, Technology Branch has a requirement to renew brand-name Northrop Grumman Corporation TIGER Desktop software through a subscription. This will perpetuate existing coverage under purchase order HC1028-15-P- 0241, which expires September 1, 2017. The period of performance (PoP) is September 2, 2017 through September 1, 2018, plus two 1-year option periods. A firm-fixed priced purchase order, in the estimated amount of is anticipated. Fiscal Year 2017 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funding is provided for the base year under number DJTMZ7D651. North American Industrial Classification System Code is 541519, Other Computer-Related Services, with sales size standard of $27.5 million will apply to this acquisition.

Renewing the software subscription will continue support of Tactical Data Link Testing Joint Interoperability and Coalition Interoperability Testing in accordance with the strategic technical vision/goals in JITC’s current strategic plan. In addition, the TIGER is used to support Standard’s Conformance Testing of Joint and Coalition Tactical Data Link (TDL) platforms particularly those requiring real link interface (e.g., real Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) equipped systems). The TIGER Test Tool software is mission critical to support tasks to conduct one-on-one certification tests, such as Chelomae Link-16/JREAP-C; Japan AWACS Link-16/Link-11; New Zealand Helo Link-11; AW151 Link-16; Japan P1 Link-16; Liberty Link-16/JREAP-C.

The TIGER Test Tool software is mission critical as it provides the necessary interface with Department of Defense (DoD) platforms. Further, this tool has been integrated with other existing tools to provide support to Standard Conformance tests. For example, TIGER has been embedded with a few key tools such as the Battlefield Operations Support System (BOSS) for Standards Conformance Testing. The BOSS, which was originally developed as a test tool for TDL testing, has been incorporated into operational units as a Command and Control platform performing real world operations, and as such the TIGER is critical to support the testing needs of the DoD and the BOSS. At this time, the Government has determined that no alternative software product will meet agency needs. Failure to renew the brand-name TIGER software subscription would jeopardize the software infrastructure and mission of the DISA, DoD, JITC managed Tactical Data Link in the coalition and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) environments.

Without the renewal of the annual TIGER Desktop software subscription support, the TIGER Test Tool will not have the latest software updates, which will negatively impact Joint Interoperability and Coalition testing. Subscribers can seek phone and email assistance from Northrop Grumman on software and hardware operational problems.

Additionally, the user has access to the TIGER support website that provides information on TIGER software features, and interaction with Northrop Grumman and other TIGER users.

5. Proposed Sole Source Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corporation

6. Market Research: JITC conducted market research which consisted of searches on the internet and Government Schedules for acceptable products. Market research confirmed the TIGER software is the only software to meet JITC’s needs. The Government has determined that no alternative software product will meet agency needs. Failure to procure the brand-name TIGER software support would jeopardize the software infrastructure and mission of the DISA, DoD, JITC managed Tactical Data Link in the coalition and NATO environments.

The products are not available through DoD Enterprise Software Initiative Blanket Purchase Agreement, General Services Administration Schedule, or National Aeronautics and Space Administration Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement and are only available through an open market order. The proprietary TIGER Test Tool software, used by government and commercial customers, is solely manufactured and sold by Northrop Grumman Corporation, a large business. Therefore a firm-fixed-priced open market purchase order is anticipated, and the recommendation is to advertise the requirement on FedBizOpps. The request for quote will also be emailed directly to the Northrop Grumman.

Based on current market research, dated June 2017, it has been determined that only the aforementioned brand-name product provided by Northrop Grumman Corporation, can fully support the Governments need. This requirement is for proprietary products and product support and no competitor functional replacement products exist in the market at this time to meet the Government's need. The Government will continue to conduct market research to determine if there are changes in the market place that would enable future competitive actions, i.e. there are similar products and/or product support in the marketplace that provides the same functionality, the original equipment manufacturer releases ownership rights of product, or it is economically feasible to procure a new system.

5. Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Contracting Officer, hereby approve this sole source justification for the proposed contract action pursuant to the authority cited above as the particular brand-name product is essential to the Government's requirements, and market research indicates other companies' products or services do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency's needs.