JA - Sonoplex System - SignedRedacted.pdf

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

March 2026 CUI Page 2 of 3

I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

Agency: ACC Contracting Activity: 49th Contracting Squadron, PKA

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

This document approves the award of a Purchase Order on a Brand Name basis for TC Communications manufactured Jumbo Switches. This justification is made on an Individual basis.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

This acquisition is anticipated to result in a new Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract to purchase all equipment needed to replace the aging and unreliable fiber communication transport system at 4 locations, Holloman AFB Air Traffic Control Tower, Holloman AFB Ground-to-Air Radio Site, Holloman AFB Communication Building 221, and White Sands Missile Range Radar Approach Control Facility.

Obsolete air traffic equipment has lost all redundancy capability with no replacement parts available. Repeated failures over the past year have halted flight operations, posing an unacceptable safety hazard and mission threat to Holloman AFB.

Air Force Engineering Technical Service (AFETS) and Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) were consulted on a replacement solution. The solution provided is the standard solution approved going forward for Air Traffic Control and Landing System communication transport.

This is a brand name justification and approval (J&A) for the purchase request (PR).

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

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

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

The use of the TC Communications Jumbo Switch is essential to the Government's requirements, and market research indicates that other companies' similar products, or products lacking this specific brand name, cannot be modified to meet the agency's needs. The rationale for this brand-name restriction is rooted in mandatory compliance with Air Force network and operational standards.

Specifically, the requiring activity is strictly obligated to adhere to regulations, architectures, and approved equipment lists established by the Air Force Engineering Technical Service (AFETS) and the Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA). Both AFETS and AFFSA have evaluated the operational requirement and provided the TC Communications Jumbo Switch as the sole authorized, certified, and engineered solution to fulfill this mission capability.

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

Although the requirement is restricted to a specific brand name to comply with mandatory AFETS and AFFSA architectures, the Government will still achieve competition. The Government does not intend to execute a sole-source contract directly to TC Communications. Instead, competition will be maximized among the pool of authorized TC Communications distributors.

To ensure potential sources are notified, a pre-solicitation notice will be posted competitively via SAM.gov. Furthermore, in

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

March 2026 CUI Page 3 of 3 accordance with RFO 12.102(a), this Brand Name Justification will be published concurrently with the solicitation. This ensures all potential authorized resellers are fully informed of the restriction and have an equal opportunity to submit a competitive quote.

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

The Contracting Officer is responsible for evaluating, determining, and documenting the anticipated contract cost/price is fair and reasonable in accordance with RFO Subpart 15.4, Contract Pricing.

VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

N/A

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

The primary barrier precluding non-brand name competition for this requirement is the strict regulatory and architectural mandates established by the Air Force Engineering Technical Service (AFETS) and the Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA).

Currently, the TC Communications Jumbo Switch is the only equipment certified and authorized by these entities to fulfill this specific operational capability.

To remove or overcome this barrier before any subsequent acquisition for these supplies, the requiring activity and the contracting office will execute the following actions:

- Continuous Market Research: The requiring activity will continue to conduct market research prior to any future procurements to monitor the commercial marketplace for emerging technologies, new manufacturers, or equivalent equipment that may meet the agency's baseline performance requirements.

-Coordination with Technical Authorities: The requiring activity will maintain an active dialogue with AFETS and AFFSA engineering and policy directorates. If market research identifies viable alternative solutions, the requiring activity will request that AFETS and AFFSA evaluate and test these alternatives for potential inclusion on future approved equipment lists and certified architectures.

-Advocacy for Open Systems: During future system upgrades or capability planning phases, the Government will advocate for the adoption of Modular Open Systems Approaches (MOSA) or non-proprietary architectures that reduce reliance on specific brand-name hardware.