J A Quantum Redacted.pdf

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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace System Directorate, Contracting Division, Enterprise Acquisition Branch (AFRL/ PZLE), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Contracting Officer:

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

AFRL requires other than full and open competition for the acquisition of advisory and assistance services to be provided by SRI International. The contract will be Cost Plus Fixed Fee with a period of performance of 01 December 2020 through 30 November 2021. Currently, the work on this effort is acquired through CHAAS, FA8650-16-F-4102. AFRL desires a direct award with SRI in order to facilitate direct communication between SRI and the government, which is currently not possible on CHAAS as it is a subcontractor on that contract and all communication must occur through a third party. Market research has revealed many companies interested in this work, but the time-sensitive nature of this effort precludes a full and open competition at this time. The current period of performance on CHAAS ends 2 December 2020, and without this contract in place, AFRL can expect a costly break in service.

NOTE: As of 1 October 2020, the justification and approval threshold for Other Than Full and Open Competition was raised to $750k for the CO approval level. This change has not yet been implemented into the J&A template used here.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

This J&A will provide AFRL with services to assist in developing the AF S&T Quantum Information Science (QIS) Strategy at an estimated value of $747k for a period of performance of one year. AFRL's minimum needs can only be satisfied by unique advisory and assistance (A&AS) services available from only one source with unique capabilities.

Quantum Sciences is a newly emerging field of research that has been theorized for several decades. The United States is on the door step of developing and applying a world class quantum system that will be revolutionary in the technical areas of timing (PNT), sensing, computing and communications. Formulating a strategy on how to develop, demonstrate, produce, harden and field quantum systems will truly be extremely difficult and require competencies that are not easily developed.

Ideal practical experience and educational requirements for quantum technology personnel point to the need for a diverse background that includes physics, mathematics, computer sciences and multiple engineering fields.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) and 6.302-1(a)(2) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

SRI International has the unique expertise needed to guide and create a quantum information sciences strategy for AFRL, with extensive experience leading multiple technology efforts, including experience in public and private technology development, marketing, product development, fabrication, and testing with a proven record of success. SRI has the required management experience, quantum knowledge, and proven track record of multiple major accomplishments that has significantly impacted the quantum development sector. SRI will provide the high levels of qualifications required by providing the leadership, knowledge and management to successfully accomplish a quantum information sciences strategy for AFRL HQ. SRI's accomplishments that are relevant and will be applicable to this effort include the following:

- Significant experience with projects for multiple departments and agencies in the U.S. Government, collaborating with Federally Funded R&D Centers (FFRDCs) and national laboratories, and has worked closely with industry.

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- Extensive experience with governors and executive branch officials on economic development issues.

- Currently a part of the industry quantum consortium (QED-C) chartered under the National Quantum Initiative Act (HR 6227). The QED-C is a consortium of stakeholders working to create a robust commercial quantum industry and associated supply chain. It includes manufacturers and users of components, systems, and products that enable, or are enabled by, quantum technologies. The QED-C focuses on investment, use cases, enabling technologies, standards recommendations, and workforce needs.

- Member of the American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Has published numerous technical papers and holds several U.S. patents.

SRI's experiences enable the company to provide the unique advisory and assistance services required for the building of an AFRL-wide quantum strategy. These experiences are unmatched by any other possible source. Leading the QED-C has positioned SRI to have the most update status of the overall quantum industry technology development, research efforts, work force development and U.S. quantum initiative. This experience will allow SRI to develop an AFRL-wide quantum information sciences strategy that covers the four technology areas of timing, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), sensing, communications and computing. SRI's unique understanding of the quantum ecosystems will allow them to evaluate the state of technology, level of technology readiness, supply chain availability and system level integration in each area of timing (PNT), sensing, computing and communications. This knowledge is not easily reproducible across all four technology areas, and without SRI, this would significantly delay the delivery of an overarching total quantum information sciences strategy to AFRL HQ. Without SRI, AFRL would have to find (if available) an expert in each of the four technology areas listed above, an approach that would increase costs by an estimated 4x, which would constitute a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that can not be expected to be recovered through competition. Such an approach would also delay development by several years, thus significantly impeding the development of the quantum strategy and causing an unacceptable delay in fulfilling the agency's requirements.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under

FAR 5.202 applies.

This effort will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine the price will be fair and reasonable in accordance with the FAR. A price analysis will be accomplished using available historical pricing on previously paid contracts with this company.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Per FAR Part 10.002(b)(2)(iii), the Government conducted market research to identify, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to competently and competitively respond to requirements of the anticipated contract. A Sources Sought was posted to Beta.SAM on 21 August 2020.

The Sources Sought included the Performance Work Statement (PWS) which gave a detailed description of the requirement.

All interested parties were asked to submit a Capabilities Package demonstrating capabilities and expertise related to this effort. The Government received a total of fifteen (15) responses to this Sources Sought. Only SRI, Inc., was determined to be fully capable of fulfilling all the requirements within the required time frame, but several companies appeared to have capabilities to perform at least some of the requirements. As such, the intent is to award a 1-year contract to SRI, allowing for more time to fully explore the capabilities of other companies.

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IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

N/A

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The Government does not anticipate actions that will remove or overcome barriers for the competition of these services.

While the current market research indicates a sole source environment for these particular services, the Government will continue to search for alternative sources. Quantum Sciences is a newly emerging field of research and the U.S. is continuing to develop world class quantum personnel that will revolutionize the technical areas of timing (PNT), sensing, computing and communications. Other companies appear to have capabilities in some of these areas, increasing the possibility that they will be competitive for future efforts.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.