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

This document is a Class Justification and Approval (J&A) for a sole source acquisition under Other Than Full and Open Competition (OTF&OC) authority, supporting the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, C-5M Super Galaxy Division (AFLCMC/WLS). The contracting activity is AFLCMC/WL5K, with Purchase Request FD2060-24-31731. The acquisition seeks authority to award a follow-on commercial Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Single Award Task Order/Delivery Order contract with a 1-year basic period and five 1-year options, allowing orders from January 31, 2026 through January 30, 2032. The contract will utilize firm fixed price (FFP) terms and be structured under FAR 16.504(c)(1)(ii)(B)(1) with in-scope extension authority under FAR 52.217-8. Funding will be sourced from 4930 TWCF (AMC) and 3740 AFRC cost share accounts. The document indicates an estimated total cost but specific dollar amounts are redacted throughout the document.

The requirement covers C-5M weapon system hardware and software support services, including software baseline development, modification programs, efficiency reports, root cause investigations, formal qualification testing, and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) support. Services encompass Software Integration Laboratory (SIL) maintenance and engineering support for both Government-owned and contractor-owned facilities. The sole source justification cites unique capabilities held by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (LMA), the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the C-5M, which holds proprietary software, technical data, and development environments critical to the effort. The J&A emphasizes that proprietary data rights restrictions, particularly under a Specially Negotiated License Agreement (SNLA) established in 2013, prevent competitive procurement. A Sources Sought/Request for Information published February 20, 2024 generated no responses. Market research conducted March 1 through November 20, 2024 surveyed seven large and two small businesses but concluded only LMA possesses the required IP rights, knowledge, and specialized capabilities. The document was coordinated by the Contracting Officer (March 28, 2025), Local Legal Reviewer (April 2, 2025), and Competition Advocate (May 23, 2025).