JA OTPS IFF_forposting_Redacted.pdf

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

In accordance with 10 USC 2304(c) (1), the Government has deemed these requirements to be available only through BAE Systems. BAE Systems is the original designer, developer, and manufacturer of the E-2D AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System and is the only source with the technical data to fulfill this requirement. BAE Systems is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and prime integrator of the E-2D AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System and is also the current depot for all repairs. As the OEM, BAE has already established the manufacturing facilities, technical ability, qualified vendor base, and the inherent knowledge required to complete this effort in a timely manner. No other source has sufficient technical data, drawings, software, repair parts, and trained technical personnel to perform this effort.

In order for another source to produce OTPSs, that source would need the complete TDP for the E-2D AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System. While the Government possesses the original TDP for the AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System, this TDP does not include the current data for the updated power supply nor the IFF signal processor board level testing specifications.

These items have been updated and are continuing to be updated since the original contract, thus the Government only has delivery of an incomplete TDP on the E-2D AN/APX-122A Interrogator System. With only an incomplete TDP, any new source would be required to reverse engineer those portions of the system for development of OTPSs without complete documentation. Additionally, the alternate source would need to periodically incorporate any design changes resulting from obsolescence.

Based on historical data associated with the E-2D AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System, a new source would spend approximately three (3) years completing the TDP, sourcing supplies and manufacturing capability of the shipsets to support the development of OTPSs.

Furthermore, any contractor besides BAE Systems would need to develop and qualify the complete repair procedures including SRE used for each WRA, SRA, and LRM that are part of this requirement. This amount of time would present an unacceptable delay, estimated at approximately an additional three (3) years for a total of six years in fulfilling the agency’s requirements to provide the capability of organic test, troubleshooting, and repair of the E-2D AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System. The Government has determined this OTPS test and repair capability for the E-2D is a Title 10 U.S.C. 2464 – Core Logistics Capabilities requirement. The Government has a requirement for an E-2D repair capability by FY27 and doing anything other than awarding to BAE would result in the Government being unable to meet this requirement. If the Government does not have the E-2D IFF repair capability by FY27, then there would be a direct impact on mission readiness. Specifically, the United States Navy (USN) would not be able to perform necessary tests and repairs of the E-2D AHE AN/APX- 122A Interrogator System, which could affect the E-2D Hawkeye’s ability to meet current USN Fully Mission Capable Requirements. Therefore, the inability to organically test, troubleshoot and repair the AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System by FY27 is unacceptable to meet current USN mission requirements within the National Defense Strategy.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

The Government technical team conducted Market Research and internet searches.

The Federal Procurement Data System, Dynamic Small Business Search, and Google internet search engine were queried for potential sources. While other companies were found and considered during the market research process (Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation), the lack of the necessary technical data for the IFF precludes other companies from performing the necessary work for this requirement.

A Request for Information (RFI) on the proposed procurement was posted on FEDBIZOPS (www.fbo.gov) on 08 April 2022. Two responses were received, from one small business and one large business.

Tyonek Engineering and Agile Manufacturing, LLC (TEAMCOR) is a small business that has experience developing OTPSs. However, the Government does not own all of the E-2D IFF technical/proprietary data, which would preclude TEAMCOR from executing this contract in a timely and cost effective manner. Specifically, the Government has no technical data on the IFF Power Supply and limited technical data on the Control Processor and IFF Signal Processor.

Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp (TIC) is a large business that has experience developing standalone test equipment for the USN. However, the Government does not own all of the E-2D IFF technical/proprietary data which would preclude TIC from executing this contract in a timely and cost effective manner.

Representatives of the Program Office and the contracting office reviewed the RFI responses from April 2022 and determined that both businesses are unable to meet the Navy’s requirement. The Government responded to TEAMCOR and TIC via letter from Lakehurst Procurement on 10 May 2022 detailing why they are unable to meet the Navy’s requirement, and no further inquiries were received. No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5 above, for any company other than BAE to provide the required supplies and services.

The synopsis required by FAR 5.201 was published to beta.sam.gov on 21 April 2022;

no responses were received. The Contracting Officer will evaluate any subsequent responses received prior to award.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

This procurement satisfies the immediate requirements to provide the capability of organic test, troubleshooting, and repair of the E-2D AHE AN/APX-122A Interrogator System. However, the Navy is buying a full TDP with Government Purpose Rights in accordance with DFARS 252.227-7013, “Rights in Technical Data –Noncommercial Items” and 252.227-7014 “Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation,” which will allow for competitive procurements for this equipment should any requirements arise in the future.