JA Skybond Redacted FINAL.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 USC 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii), and required by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(i)

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

Satcom Direct Communications (SDC) provides SkyBond subscriptions and ground infrastructure to support the Satcom Direct Routers (SDR) that the aircraft Systems Program Office (SPO), known as Big Safari, selected, purchased, and installed on multiple aircraft. In 2017 Big Safari invested to install SDRs as the channel bonding solution. Today, this will cost approximately to replace the existing routers in each of the 26 aircraft. The proprietary SDR solution necessitates the usage of SDC's SkyBond subscription and hosting environment in order to channel bond the routers with the Executive Airborne Communications System (EACN) aircraft connections. Although AMC did not have influence on the decision to purchase SDRs, AMC must provide the support needed to allow users access to services the SDRs provide. Therefore, this acquisition will be a new contract for the highly specialized SkyBond channel bonding subscription and hosting environment.

The SkyBond subscription combines multiple streaming channels of Inmarsat SwiftBroadband service to achieve higher data rates necessary to enable real-time communications applications on the aircraft. Its channel bonding aggregates up to four channels together providing a larger data pipeline and delivering faster speeds. The SkyBond subscription and ground infrastructure is sold exclusively by SDC and is the only solution compatible with existing SDRs and is proprietary in nature.

Award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Air Force's requirements. If the Government were to utilize another manufacturer's equipment, the Government would be required to replace all existing SDRs on 26 aircraft. Use of an alternate source would create a six-year minimum delay to replace the routers as well as cost of equipment purchase and installation to achieve total functionality in fulfilling Air Force requirements. A new alternate solution would cost a minimum of , which is derived from the cost the existing equipment and installation. AMC cannot dictate a change to the aircraft without first going through the systems program office to begin the product approval process at the SPO level, taking approximately one year. Additionally, the aircraft modification cycle would be a five-year process.

Accordingly, SDC is the only firm capable of providing the supplies described in Section III above without the U.S. Air Force experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Satcom Direct Communications is the only source known to provide Skybond Subscription. In order to locate additional sources, a Sources Sought notice was posted to BetaSAM on 27 April 2022 with responses due no later than 11 May 2022. Upon the closing of the Sources Sought, no responses were received from industry. Additionally, the 763d ESS contacted Satcom Direct Communications via e- mail and confirmed that there are no certified re-sellers of Skybond.

There is not a reasonable expectation that two or more responsible offerors, competing independently, would submit priced offers in response to the solicitation expressed requirement.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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The Mission Partner deemed SDC as technically acceptable to provide Skybond Subscription, as evidenced by an email dated 29 June 2022.

The products cannot be provided by the Ability One program.

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

For the proposed sole source acquisition, the Contracting Officer (CO) will determine the price fair and reasonable through use of one or more of the price analysis techniques as described in FAR 13.106-3, including comparison of historical costs, current price lists, and similar software subscriptions.

Additionally, other than certified cost and pricing data may be requested and reviewed if necessary.

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

As described in Section VI above, market research, IAW FAR Part 10, was conducted. 763 ESS synopsized the proposed acquisition on SAM.gov, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested parties. Market research was conducted using a variety of techniques including: Internet searches, discussions with requiring activity, and a Sources Sought notice. This market research identified one vendor, Satcom Direct Communications capable of fulfilling this requirement. Satcom Direct Communications is a large business under the contemplated NAICS code, 511210.

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

None.

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

None.

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

Neither AMC nor Big Safari have taken any action to remove competitive barriers given the aircraft installed equipment's life cycle and the exceptionally long process that would be required to schedule the aircraft for depot maintenance to exchange the current equipment for competitors. As long as SDRs are on the aircraft, there are no actions the Government can take to overcome barriers to competition short of replacing worth of SDRs on existing aircraft.

XII. 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.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.