JA LBIR_Redacted.pdf

This is a Department of the Air Force Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition document for a sole-source contract award to Jung Research and Development Corp. (JRAD) for continued operation and specialized support of the Low Background Infrared (LBIR) calibration facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The contract covers comprehensive services including operation, maintenance, research, and engineering support for the LBIR facility, which provides critical infrared radiometric calibrations for missile defense systems such as Aegis Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors. JRAD must provide personnel with a minimum of 10 years of direct experience in building, maintaining, and operating high-vacuum cryogenic systems for infrared instrumentation. Key technical expertise areas include cryogenic refrigerator systems, thermal infrared optical equipment, laser systems, cryogenic vacuum Fourier transform infrared radiometers, data acquisition and automation hardware/software, error analysis, technical reporting, and NIST IT security compliance. The contract is anticipated as a cost-type arrangement with a base period from August 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, plus six one-month options, with estimated annual staffing of 1.5–2.0 FTEs for routine operations and 0.1–0.2 FTEs for research and development projects. Funding sources include 0100 Operations & Maintenance (Defense-Wide), 3600 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, and 0300 Procurement (Defense-Wide).

The justification establishes that JRAD is the only capable source based on unparalleled institutional knowledge, 23+ years of direct facility experience, critical ongoing development projects (particularly the User Transfer Radiometer), and design authority for specialized equipment including Blackbody Radiometers (BXR) and MDXR transfer radiometers. Market research conducted from 2015 to present—including a 2015 Sources Sought Synopsis, continuous monitoring, and a 2026 current Sources Sought Notice—identified only three responses, none demonstrating the requisite specialized expertise. Awarding to another contractor would result in approximately 30 percent duplicated development costs, additional significant costs from inefficiencies, and a devastating 4–5 year delay in fulfilling Missile Defense Agency mission requirements. The Government has implemented competition enhancement strategies including phased contract structure with option years, unlimited data rights acquisition, ongoing market surveillance, knowledge transfer requirements, technology standardization, and small business subcontracting opportunities to encourage future competition.