JA_Other Than Full and Open Competition_MCS SDK A10 VR Software_PCO Signed_Redacted.pdf

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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

Department of the Air Force, Air Combat Command, 355th Contracting Squadron, Davis Monthan AFB (DMAFB).

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

The 355th TRS requires Mission Combat Systems (MCS) A-10 Virtual Reality Flight Simulator Software to include six (6) Mission Server console Stations, and one (1) Software Development Kit (SDK) License.

This new contract will be a firm-fixed price (FFP) commercial item contract. The intent of this contract is to provide realistic VR software capable of providing realistic training missions for the A-10 pilots stationed at DMAFB.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The contractor shall provide A-10 VR flight software that has the ability to be dynamically loaded our in-house developed Davis-Monthan map, i.e. as the 355th updates and improves the map, there is the ability to load it ourselves and test it immediately. All requirements must be fully functional with no internet connection. Software authentication dongle can be run on one LAN-networked computer. The following modules need to be included: A-10C II Tank Killer, F-16C, Su-27, Combined Arms, Persian Gulf and Nellis. Along with a console station to run each mission. This one will not be used for flying and will simply be used to run the mission server and monitor students and will require the same modules for compatibility.

The contractor shall also provide a Software Development Kit for the VR software. This license that will give our VR programmers the ability to modify the VR software to improve the accuracy of the A-10C’s systems. The following items would need to be customizable on the A-10C II module: HUD weapons symbology, TAD symbology, Maverick behavior, TGP behavior, Weapon profiles, Flight model, 3D cockpit geometry, CDU behavior, radar altimeter behavior. The SDK must be fully functional with no internet connection, and it must not communicate any information with EDMS servers. This installation must also include access to the VR software and the A-10C II module so the 355th TRS can instantly test changes on their programming workstation. The 355th TRS must have the ability to easily install module changes to the VR Lab machines ourselves to iterate and improve at a steady rate.

CLIN 0001: MCS A-10 Cockpits VR Flight Simulation Software QTY: 6 EA -

CLIN 0002: Mission Server Console Station QTY: 1 EA -

CLIN 0003: Software Development Kit (SDK) License QTY: 1 EA -

CLIN 1001: MCS A-10 Cockpits VR Flight Simulation Software QTY: 6 EA -

CLIN 1002: Mission Server Console Station QTY: 1 EA -

CLIN 2001: MCS A-10 Cockpits VR Flight Simulation Software QTY: 6 EA -

CLIN 2002: Mission Server Console Station QTY: 1 EA -

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Contract total value (including options) -

IV. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above.

ED Mission Systems (EDMS) owns the MCS VR software and the A-10C II module. There is currently no other software that simulates the A-10C at a level of accuracy anywhere near the realistic, "life-like" capabilities and visual requirements needed for the different types of training missions required for the A-10 pilots. ACC training requirements for A-10 pilots require that any software be able to recreate the A-10 and its capabilities as close to actual performance as possible. MCS accurately and completely provides the realistic capabilities of the A-10 without undue hardship or constraint. In fact, MCS is so accurate, it is better then the USAF training manuals and printed materials. In addition, the necessary SDK is also proprietary to EDMS, and without it, there are no other ways to make significant changes that are necessary to further improve and enhance the system and the training mission accuracy.

V. 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.

Market research results showed that there are other vendors that provide VR flight software. However, when reviewing these other software options, it was realized that they were not capable of reproducing the A-10's fidelity nor its actual capabilities, i.e. the A-10 appeared blocky or different than actual A-10s or the flight speeds and maneuverability which was not accurate.

CONS, in effort to promote competition for a future effort, will continue to work with the SMEs at 355 TRS to analyze or review the different vendors to see if they improve their software. However, it should be noted that the A-10 is scheduled to begin the sunsetting process, so there is some ambiguity of how long this requirement will truly need to be fulfilled.

An Intent to Award Sole Source and this J&A will be publicized via GPE IAW FAR 5.201 no later than 05 Aug 2023.

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

The CO will be able to determine that the price is fair and reasonable, even though this is sole sourced, by comparing the prices proposed by the contractor to their commercial catalogs and pricing structure available on the internet. Furthermore, the price proposed will be compared to other vendors' pricing to see if the contractor's pricing is in line or similar enough.

VII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

In accordance with FAR Part 8 procedures, a review of internal sources along with Ability One, Unicor, GSA and Dynamic Small Business Search was accomplished. Internal agency sources, AbilityOne, Unicor, and GSA did not yield any positive responses to support this requirement. DSBS was checked to locate vendors that can satisfy the requirement within the schedule listing. One vendor contacted did not respond, and the other did work within the realm of VR software but could not satisfy the specific needs of the requirement. Due to the specific requirements and the technical requirements needed by the customer, this will be a Sole Source acquisition.

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

N/A

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

N/A

X. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

N/A

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

N/A