JA (Redacted).pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION LAKEHURST

ROUTE 547

JOINT BASE MDL NEW JERSEY 08733

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, NJ

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification & Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract for the procurement of a quantity of 54 AR Kalmus Corp. (doing business as AR Modular RF) brand name commercial Radio Frequency (RF) amplifiers. This equipment will be procured via a limited competition between AR Modular RF and its authorized resellers. The delivery schedule is anticipated to be 154 days after contract award.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) Special Communications Mission Solutions (SCMS) Division has been tasked by the XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX to procure AR Modular RF brand name RF amplifiers in support of Radio Integration System (RIS) Family of Systems (FoS) 4.0 Specialized Mobile Radio Transit System

– Amplifier (SMRTS-A). The SMRTS-A system relies on communication over very high frequency and ultra-high frequency ranges for secure and non-secure voice and data tactical circuits for special operations. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX. The RF amplifier will be used to boost the power of the transmitter antenna, increase communications reliability, and will support both narrow-band and wide-band waveforms.

XXXXXXX has fielded the AN/PRC-163 radio in large quantities. These next generation radios have started replacing the older legacy radios in the field with the older legacy radios being removed from unit inventories. The XXX lack a highly mobile, small base station that provides the SMRTS-A capabilities to fully utilize the new AN/PRC-163 radio. The requested RF amplifier is a key piece of SMRTS-A system to provide these required capabilities.

The RIS systems must be highly reliable and provide a level of redundancy that ensures seamless communications between XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX. The fully automatic band-switching RF booster amplifier will be expected to operate in austere working environments in the field, where temperatures, weather conditions, and environmental hazards may adversely affect operations.

J&A Number: 23-0191

Estimated Dollar Value

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XXX XXXX

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

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The AR Modular RF brand name RF amplifier provides a unique combination of prior approvals and requirements for higher operating temperature thresholds with a closed-lid design, compact size, and compatibility with existing equipment in the RIS FoS. The AR Modular RF brand name RF amplifier is compatible with existing metal framework and other fielded equipment to form a compact system that fits the form and function of the RIS. The AR Modular RF brand name RF amplifier has been validated by XXXXXX during system design reviews in accordance with XXXXXXXXXXXXX. Additionally, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX Authority to Operate (ATO). The AR Modular RF brand name RF amplifier specifically works in conjunction with other equipment designed into the RIS FoS. AR Modular RF is the only manufacturer that provides an RF amplifier which meets all requirements and ensures interoperability of the existing systems.

If an alternate part was procured, it may render some, or all, of the equipment inoperable, resulting in the procurement of additional equipment. If the alternate amplifier does not provide the same form, fit, and function of the AR Modular RF amplifier, the SMRTS-A system would

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XXXXXX. The selection of a new amplifier would also invalidate Operational Testing completed for SMRTS-A in February 2023 and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX further delaying the deployment of new RIS systems to support new radios already in the field. Additionally, the selection of an alternate part number for the RF amplifier would invalidate the ATO. These efforts would result in duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Current estimates total XXXX and include costs for labor to retest new amplifier (XXX); labor for engineering and redesign (XXXX); material to build new SMRTS-A (XXX); production of new SMRTS-A (XXX); and labor to change Operations Maintenance Manual (OMM) and Training Support Package (TSP) (XXX). RIS SMRTS-A would also XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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Without the required amplifier, the SMRTS-A system will not provide required capabilities for the XXX, as the amplifier is a XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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

Market research was conducted utilizing various methods to identify additional possible sources for the required RF amplifier and to obtain current information in regard to availability, price, and costs. A search was done on Dynamic Small Business, which resulted in several manufacturers with similar equipment. However, AR Modular RF is the only manufacturer that provides an RF amplifier which meets all requirements and ensures interoperability of the existing systems. Additionally, AR Modular RF is a small business.

Additional market research was conducted to identify authorized resellers or distributors of the equipment utilizing the General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) websites. NASA SEWP request 252577 (under NAICS 334111) and 252578 (under NAICS 541519) were submitted. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX responded to the request and provided budgetary pricing for the required items. The search utilizing GSA revealed that

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A Request for Information for an RF antenna was posted on 14 February 2023. Responses were received from XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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Based on the market research performed, it is the Government's intention to issue a combined synopsis/solicitation on SAM.gov to award a FFP contract for the required AR Modular RF brand name RF amplifiers. In accordance with FAR Part 12, Streamlined Acquisitions for Commercial Items, a combined synopsis/solicitation will be posted.

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.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAWCAD WOLF SCMS Division has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAWCAD WOLF SCMS Division will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.