JA 25-0054 Kidde Contract FY25 Beyond REDACTED.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for a sole-source contract award by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to Kidde Technologies Inc. of Wilson, NC. The contract authorizes procurement of updated fire suppression system software for F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft, with a base period and two option periods for software updates and repairs as necessary to existing fire protection and safety systems.

The procurement addresses inadvertent discharges from the Dry Bay Fire Suppression System (DBFSS) caused by false Fire Suppression Control Alarm (FSCA) actuations. Implementation of new software (part number 473660-04, approved via Engineering Change Proposal 6322 on 20 July 2012) will decrease inadvertent discharge likelihood by providing dual Optical Fire Detectors prior to DBFSS activation. NAVAIR intends to upgrade existing FSCAs via a "round-robin" approach across USN fleet units, with potential connector or Circuit Card Assembly replacements if systems fail acceptance testing. Procurement is anticipated to commence in Fiscal Year 25 with two option periods through FY27. Sole-source justification is based on Kidde being the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the DBFSS and its components, possessing exclusive data rights and subject matter expertise. Market research confirmed no viable alternatives; competitive procurement would delay the program 24-36 months and require design and qualification of a new system. A sources sought notice posted on 15 August 2024 received no responses, with a synopsis posted on 16 October 2024 reaffirming the sole-source intent. Cost analysis determined pricing to be fair and reasonable; no future procurements for these supplies are anticipated.