JA - FIS0AY4081A001 SILVUS. FINAL.redacted.pdf

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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2020 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 3March 2020 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 3

I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

AFTC/PZZF

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

The SiLVUS Technologies Streamcaster 4240 2x2 Radio was developed using emerging innovations from the communications research community and provides reliable, high bandwidth, meshed video and data communications in the world's challenging conditions. It also offers a FIPS-140-2 approved encryption method which is necessary to transmit CUI flight test data.

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

6 ea. Streamcaster 4240 2X2 Mimo Radio P/N: SC4240EP-467-EB $ ea. , 6ea. Primary ODU cable P/N: SC- PRICBL-A-6H $ ea. , 6 ea. Single SC4200 series basic mounting plate P/N: SC42-BSCPLT $ ea.

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

FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. IAW FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), For DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in-

(A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition; or

(B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements. (See 10 U.S.C. 3204(b)(B)).

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

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Laboratory Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) data base and searched all entries for one that matches our requirements as having approved FIPS-140-2 encryption methods, with an RS-232 interface, operates in C-band, and ruggedized for airworthiness. Only a single item was found that had a valid certificate.

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.

Given that AIR FORCE MANUAL 17-1302-O (COMSEC) states only approved devices may be used to transmit sensitive information, and the NIST labs CMVP database tracks all validated devices, it is unnecessary to look for more sources or post notices publicly. A SOCA shall be posted for no more than seven (7) days.

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

A fair and reasonable determination shall be made in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(i) and (iii), catalog pricing and results of market research.

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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2020 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 3March 2020 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 3

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 primarily by using the NIST labs Cryptographic Module Validation Program website.

The site lists all modules that are approved to meet the Federal Information Processing Standard 140 -2, which is a hard requirement. From here I can view all hardware and reach out to individual vendors that may possibly meet our requirement.

I also attended several trade shows (ITEA, ITC, Space Expo) to look for any emerging or redily available technologies.

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

AS PER AIR FORCE MANUAL 17-1302-O (COMSEC) Table 1.1 describes minimum authorized methods for protecting classified or sensitive information, item 4 of the table states NIST (FIPS 140-2)-validated product that meets security level 1 or higher (Note 2)”. Note 2 describes the applicable NIST validated products from the CMVP.

As per T-2 modification requirements we require an airworthy ruggedized product. This purchase meets all of those requirements and also requires very minimal changes to current design of the instrumentation system to minimize labor costs and continue flight testing. Many vendors use word tricks such as FIPS-140 "Ready" or "Compliant" but none of those have an authorized certificate unless they are "Validated".

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

Silvus Technologies

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.

Future actions include continued Internet searches, communication within the Air Force community, communication with industry, and monitoring the market for possible alternative sources. Efforts to remove any barriers that restrict consideration from other vendors shall be accomplished via of continuous market research utilizing forum groups, technical references and industry days.

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.