JA_Brand-Name_Heatcon Dual Zone Bonder1.pdf

Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

Program/Equipment: Dual Zone Hot Zone Bonder

Authority: FAR 6.103-1(d) – Application for brand-name descriptions

Prepared by:

Typed Name: MSgt Greggory Price Title: Contract Specialist E-mail: greggory.price@us.af.mil

Contracting Officer:

Typed Name: MSgt Kirshell LaCroix Title: Contracting Officer E-Mail: kirshell.lacroix.2@us.af.mil

Technical Representative:

Typed Name: MSgt Charles Silvas Title: Deputy Aircraft Structural Repair Superintendent E-Mail: charles.silvas.1@us.af.mil

Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity: 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, LA, Louisiana Air National Guard

2. Description of Action: This action is for only the HCS9200B DUAL ZONE HOT BONDER- COMPOSITE REPAIR SYSTEM brand name requirements.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: his request is for the acquisition of one (1) HEATCON HCS9200B Dual Zone Hot Bonder (NSN: 4920-01-462-4666). The system is an aerospace-grade thermal control unit required for curing advanced composite materials and metal bond repairs on military aircraft. It features precise Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) thermal profiling, multi-zone thermocouple monitoring, and automated vacuum-drop safety holds required for structural integrity.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.103-1(d), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The use of the HEATCON HCS9200B is not a preference, but a strict technical and safety requirement dictated by established Air Force Technical Orders governing the F-15 Eagle weapon system:

T.O. 1-1-690 (General Advanced Composite Repair Processes): This primary joint-service directive governs all advanced composite repair activities. It explicitly lists the Heatcon HCS9200 series as certified equipment authorized to perform temperature-controlled, vacuum-bagged cures on military aircraft. Substituting this with commercial alternatives violates the overarching composite repair directive.

T.O. 1F-15()-3 (F-15 Structural Repair Manual): When executing composite skin, control surface repairs on the F-15, this weapon-system-specific manual dictates precise repair geometry and curing limits. It directs technicians to utilize the certified equipment listed in T.O. 1-1-690. Only the Heatcon unit guarantees the highly calibrated ramp-and-dwell thermal profiles required to validate an F-15 structural repair.

T.O. 1-1A-1 (General Manual for Structural Repair): This manual reinforces general structural hardware guidelines and officially defers to T.O. 1-1-690 for composite curing procedures, further cementing the requirement for Heatcon-certified hardware.

Impact of Non-Compliance: Attempting to use a non-Heatcon bonder risks improper material curing (due to thermal runaway or vacuum loss). This results in structural degradation, voided airworthiness certifications, and grounded F-15 assets. The cost of a single failed composite cure on an F-15 flight control surface far exceeds the procurement cost of the bonder.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Because this is being issued as Request for Quote, adequate competition is expected, and all offerors are required to include the brand name requirements in their bid.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: As previously indicated, brand-name for Heatcon HCS9200B Dual Zone Hot Bonder System components are required for all proposals, therefore competition is still expected.

8. Market Research: Multiple ASM shops across the CAF have already adopted the HEATCON Dual Zone Heat Bonder. Procuring this specific model ensures standardization of critical maintenance equipment across the enterprise. This standardization drastically reduces cross-training requirements for ASM technicians, allows for the sharing of accessories and/or consumables between shops, and ensures consistent, repeatable repair quality across all airframes. Requiring the use of these brand name products are not expected to be unique to this project and is not expected to affect competition.

9. Interested Sources: Numerous sources have expressed interest in this project. Those offerors who choose to submit proposals will be required to include brand name requirements.

10. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Typed Name: MSgt Charles Silvas Title: Deputy Aircraft Structural Repair Super Signature:

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on adequate price competition.

Signature:

Typed Name: MSgt Greggory Price Contracting Specialist

Title: MSgt Kirshell LaCroix Contracting Officer

Signature:

12. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Typed Name: MSgt Kirshell LaCroix Title: Contracting Officer Signature:

Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of HCS9200B DUAL ZONE HOT BONDER-COMPOSITE REPAIR SYSTEM on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property herein described has otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

KIRSHELL A. LACROIX, MSgt, LA ANG Contracting Officer