JA_Redacted.pdf

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IN REPLY REFER TO:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAINING SYSTEMS DIVISION

12211 SCIENCE DRIVE

ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32826-3224

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) - Orlando, FL

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This is a justification to award a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase III contract to Aptima, Inc. (Aptima).

Aptima, Inc. (Aptima) was awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I contract, N68335- 08-C-0338, on 14 July 2008 resulting from topic number N08-T004, “Knowledge Optimized Displays of Information in Human Computer Interact (HCI)”. The Phase I contract required Aptima to develop a capability that demonstrated innovative software inclusive of cognitively optimized design solutions for the display of highly complex performance assessment data in the common operating picture to assist instructors in trainee performance assessment. The output of the Phase I contract was the design, development and demonstration of a proof-of-concept capability that provided real-time displays of relevant system and human performance data.

Aptima was subsequently awarded a STTR Phase II contract, N68335-10-C-0023, on 29 October 2009 to mature the Phase I design and continue the development of the cognitively optimized displays for complex human performance assessment data including automated performance measures for assisting instructors with trainee assessments. At the conclusion of the Phase II, subsequent funding was awarded for Phase III contracts to provide research and development of a robust technology capable of addressing performance measures and assessments for P-8 training.

upported test and integration preparation activities to refine the transition path.

This justification and approval authorizes and approves awarding a STTR Phase III contract to Aptima.

This Phase III contract will extend the previous work through research and development of a performance authoring tool, Workbench, as well as the implementation of a modernized web-based application for post mission reporting and assessment.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This Phase III contract requires Aptima to extend the Post Mission Assessment for Tactical Training and Trend Analysis (PMATT-TA) effort developed under the Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III contracts. Aptima will complete work that derives from, extends, and completes efforts achieved under Phase I, Phase II and

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Phase III efforts (N68335-08-C-0038, N68335-10-C-002, N61340-11-C-0041, N61340-14-C-1012, and N61340-16-C-0013, N61340-18-C-0020) to support the continued transition of the PMATT-TA training tools to the P-8 community and other domains. Work to be conducted by Aptima under the Phase III contract, includes the following:

• Research and development of an enhanced user interface for a performance authoring module of the PMATT-TA tool, Workbench, and

• Implementation of a modernized web-based application for post mission reporting and trend analysis for performance assessment.

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

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 Authorized or required by statute.

15 U.S.C. 638(r)(1) states: “In the case of a small business concern that is awarded a funding agreement for Phase II of a Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) or STTR program, a Federal agency may enter into a Phase III agreement with that business concern for additional work to be performed during or after the Phase II period.“

15 U.S.C. 638(r)(4) states: “To the greatest extent practicable, Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole source awards, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology.”

5. Demonstration that Proposed Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of Acquisition Requires Use of Authority Cited.

The nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited. The SBIR/STTR Programs are structured in three phases. Phase I (project feasibility) determines the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of the ideas submitted. Phase Il (project development to prototype) is the major research and development effort, funding the prototyping and demonstration of the most promising Phase I projects. Because the Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes efforts performed under Phase I and Phase Il, use of the authority cited is required. Aptima was awarded a Phase I STTR contract on 14 July 2008: N68335-08-C-0338, a Phase II STTR contract on 29 October 2009: N68335-10-C-0023 and Phase III contracts on 29 September 2011 (N61340-11-C-0041), 1 October 2014 (N61340-14-C-1012), 21 July 2016 (N61340-16-C-0013), and 27 September 2018 (N61340-18-C-0020).

6. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure Offerors Were Solicited from as Many Potential Sources as Practicable/Public Notification through Government Point of Entry (GPE).

The STTR Topic N08-T004 was selected through a competitive STTR award. As described above, only Aptima is being considered for Phase Ill award due to the nature of the research and development effort. In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(7), this proposed contract action does not require public notification to the Government Point of Entry (GPE).

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer will determine prior to award that the negotiated price of the contract executed under this justification is fair and reasonable pursuant to FAR Subpart 15.4. This determination will be documented in the Business Clearance Memorandum, which will be included in the contract file. The contractor will submit a formal price proposal with certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.403-4 and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. Aptima’s proposal will be reviewed by experienced technical analysts and contract specialists. Price analysis will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 15.404-1. The Contracting Officer will use cost and price analysis as the basis for negotiating fair and reasonable prices. Lastly, historical contract cost data and other relevant information will be utilized in the establishment of a fair and reasonable price.

8. Description of Market Research or Statement of the Reasons Market Research was not Conducted.

FAR 10.001(a)(2) indicates that market research appropriate to the circumstances must be conducted.

STTR Phase III procurements are such that traditional market research to identify alternative sources is generally unnecessary. As described above, the Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes efforts performed under Phase I and Phase II.

9. Any Other Supporting Facts.

Not applicable.

10. Listing of Interested Sources.

Not applicable.

11. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

The Contracting Officer anticipates that competitors will enter the market once the product is commercialized. It is likely that future acquisitions will be competed using full and open competition and commercial item acquisition procedures. The Contracting Officer is not aware of any specific actions that would further remove barriers to competition.

12. Period of Performance.

14. Actions Attempted to Make Immediate Acquisition Competitive and Cost/Benefit Analysis.

No actions were attempted to make the immediate acquisition competitive; no cost/benefit analysis was performed. As described above, only Aptima is being considered for Phase III award due to the nature of the acquisition. Specifically, there are no other commercially available alternatives of this product that will satisfy the timeline or basic parameters of this Phase III action, which extends Phase I & II awards.