JA FD20302600117 e3 slide sleeve jeb 27 Oct 25 Fully Coordinated_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for a sole source acquisition under 10 USC 3204(a)(1), authorizing procurement of a new manufacture Sleeve and Slide, Directional Control Linear Valve (NSN 4810-00-348-6335HS, P/N 50746) for the E-3 Aircraft. The contracting activity is AFSC/PZABB at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, with Purchase Request FD20302600117. The acquisition dollar value falls in the range of greater than $750K and less than $15M, classified as an Individual J&A type. The contract was awarded on January 19, 2024, to Hydro-Aire Aerospace Corp (CAGE 81982) with a completion date of April 1, 2025, for a quantity of 25 each with an estimated delivery date on or before July 21, 2027. The contract type is firm fixed price (FFP), sole source, non-commercial supply.

The justification demonstrates that Hydro-Aire, Inc. is the only known responsible source capable of providing this item due to proprietary manufacturing data and technical expertise. The government lacks access to the necessary data for competitive procurement or alternative sourcing, and efforts to purchase data rights from the manufacturer have failed. Market research conducted from July 22-29, 2025, including a Sources Sought Synopsis posted on SAM.gov with a closing date of July 29, 2025, identified no additional qualified vendors. The contracting officer, Morgan McGarity (AFSC/PZABB/734-4638), approved this justification on October 1, 2025. Development of alternative sources is deemed infeasible within the required timeframe, with potential delays of 24-36 months, which would compromise critical Air Force mission requirements for the E-3B/C/G aircraft.