J_and_A_BOSS_Software_Redacted.pdf

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

March 2018 Page 1 of 4

NOTE: If a Justification and Approval was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved J&A for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant J&A. This applies to J&A staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor J&A will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Funding level for this acquisition: < $700K > $700K and < $13.5M > $13.5M and < $93M > $93M

Contracting Activity: AFTC/PZIEA

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: F1SEAD8068B001

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): Battlefield Operations Support System (BOSS) Software Sustainment

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other Contracting

Authority: 6.302-1 – 10 USC 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): $180,000.00 J&A Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

11 Apr 2018

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity

GARY DANESHMAND

812 TEST/ENTI, 661.277.5549

Signature

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

18 Apr 2018

Contracting Officer

MATTHEW D. CHARTIER

AFTC/PZIEA / 661.275.4590

Signature

March 2018 Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

The contracting organization that is responsible for the proposed contract action is the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Directorate of Contracting, Enterprise Acquisition Division (PZIEA), 5 South Wolfe Avenue, Edwards AFB CA 93524-1185. The contracting officer for this acquisition is Mr. Matthew D. Chartier.

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

Tactical Tactical Communications Group (TCG) Group (TCG) provides BOSS software to support 412 TW tactical data link (TDL) requirements.

The 412 TW has a vested interested in ensuring that BOSS software meets current and future Tactical Data Link (TDL) test requirements. As such, there are periodic efforts to update the software as well as expand upon the features that are applicable to each license that the 412 TW maintains.

Current Quantity Requirement: Four Each; Part # TCG-MMH (Multi MIDS Software)

The proposed action will result in a New Sole Source Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract; (FA9302-18-P-F-0017).

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

A-(4) Multi-MIDS Software (BOSS-Host) with model number -TCG-MMH with documentation and user's guide. Total estimated value of the acquisition is $180,000.00. The estimated delivery period is 20 Aug 2018 - 19 Aug 2019. This is being funded with appropriation of 3600 funds.

The proposed Sole Source is:

Tactical Communications Group, LLC (TCG) Two High-wood Drive, Bldg. 2. Suite 200 Tewsbury, MA 01876 kevin.mawn@g2tcg.com

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

The statutory authority permitting this action is 10 USC 2304(c)(1) which specifies that, “the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or service will satisfy the needs of the agency” as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(A), and required by FAR 6.303-2(b)(4).

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

The TCG BOSS software license, within the TENG Lab, needs to be updated to a Multi-MIDS license to control both MIDS terminals that are currently being used for Link 16 testing. This update will minimize the additional software that is required to support more than one MIDS terminal for a given Link 16 test.

TCG is the only manufacturer of the BOSS system and is therefore, the only company that can provide the software updates and technical support required. BOSS software is proprietary to TCG. LLC and does not have any re-sellers.

TCG. LLC is the only source that can satisfy the Government's requirement due to the proprietary nature of the BOSS software and the fact that TCG owns the proprietary software.

March 2018 Page 3 of 4

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

The 412 TENG performed market research and found that the multi-MIDS Software upgrade option will improve the current Software characteristics such as enabling the end-user to handle many of the complications that can occur when terminals are positioned with overlapping lines of sight, such as redundant message processing and addressed message routing to a single terminal, which can only be acquired from one responsible source, Tactical Group Communications, LCC..

Market Research was performed using the following techniques:

Customer consulted with knowledgeable individuals, both in government and industry, regarding the capabilities to meet the requirements. Also communicated with TCG, the OEM who confirmed that the multi-MIDS update for BOSS software is only available through the manufacturer and that they were not contracted with any other subcontractor that could perform on their behalf.

A search on EIS, for possible sources, didn't find the BOSS Software listed. Furthermore, a sources sought notice yielded one response, under Solicitation #FA9302-18-P-F017. The one response came from TCG LCC. where they stated that they are the sole source and no other vendors can offer this product.

Additionally, a Notice of proposed Contract Action (NOCA) will be posted on FBO.gov with an estimated date on 25 April 2018.The market research concluded that the OEM, Tactical Group Communications, LCC., is the sole source for the multi-MIDS (BOSS software update), as the original manufacturer, and holds the software proprietary rights.

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

The anticipated costs will be determined fair and reasonable based on comparison to current federal sources of supply and historical pricing.

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

Market research efforts were performed by communicating with TCG, the OEM who confirmed that the multi-MIDS update for BOSS software is only available through the manufacturer and that they were not contracted with any other subcontractor that could perform on their behalf.

A search on EIS, for possible sources, didn't find the BOSS Software listed. Furthermore, Tactical Communications Group (TCG), LLC, is not part of the authorized vendors found on the NetCents 2 acquisition vehicle. Finally, during a review of the GSA contract it was found that the vendor has a GSA contract already in place (GSA #GS24F0030M). The software required was not found on the current GSA contract. The vendor was contacted to verify and the contractor confirmed that the software was not on the list and that their software is proprietary

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

On and around 2012, Tactical Communications Group (TCG) was awarded a contract to upgrade the US Air Force's (USAF) battlefield operations support system (BOSS) testing and simulation solution.

Under terms of the multi-year contract, the company was to integrate certain enhancements and install additional capabilities into the BOSS solution.

This BOSS solution enabled the USAF to conduct more complex data link testing and simulation procedures with TCG BOSS units have already been fielded across several testing agencies worldwide.

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

See Section VI above.

March 2018 Page 4 of 4

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.

Market research will continue throughout the contract period. If it is determined to be beneficial and competition becomes available, the government will use full and open competition for any future acquisition.

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.