JA SSJ Custom Infrared Scene Projector Windows CO signed.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

April 2021 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 1 of 3

Section A: General Contract Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: AFTC/PZZC

Project/Program Name: Custom Infrared Scene Projector Windows

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: Other Contracting (AFFARS Part 5302.101)

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options): $50,000.00

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The Guided Weapon Evaluation Facility (GWEF), 782 TS/RNWG, has a requirement to procure and install two custom windows to replace the as delivered windows for two Optimized Array for Space-background Infrared Simulation (OASIS) 512 Projection Emitter Modules (PEMs) to be used at the GWEF, 782 Test Squadron/RNWG, Eglin AFB, FL. The two OASIS 512 PEMs to be modified where developed by Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. (SBIR) under contract FA2487-16-C-0299 and FA2487-22-C-A013, CLIN 2001 (HOT ICE IR Scene Projectors) will be used to develop a new GWEF test system.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

The GWEF mission is Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) test and evaluation (T&E) of tactical guided munitions and Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) systems. The HITL capability uses highly specialized equipment including high-performance Infrared Scene Projectors (IRSP). The GWEF currently has four test areas dedicated to IRCM customer test support and two test area dedicated to support and development of IRCM test technology.

The GWEF has a requirement to procure and install two custom windows to replace the as delivered windows for two OASIS 512 PEMs to be used at the GWEF, 782 Test Squadron/RNWG, Eglin AFB, FL. The two modified OASIS 512 PEMs will be used to develop a new test capability to address customer HITL IRCM T&E requirements.

The new custom windows must have the same physical specifications (glass type, dimensions, etc.) but require a different (narrower) transmission coating than the as delivered window broad band coating. If there is significant physical variance or if the window replacement is done incorrectly this will cause vacuum leaks causing the resistive arrays to fail and could contaminate the emitter array making it unusable.

COMPATIBILITY. The GWEF currently employs OASIS 512 PEM IRSPs in its IRCM test areas. The OASIS PEM IRSPs are the only IRSPs that meet size, dynamic range, apparent temperature, temporal stability, spatial uniformity, resolution, and refresh rate technical requirements for HITL T&E. The GWEF does not possess back-up IRSPs and a catastrophic loss would render the facility incapable of fulfilling its test obligations.

SBIR is the only contractor that manufactures compatible resistor array IRSPs due to owning patents for emitter ray technologies. Further, these scene projectors are not commercially available through SBIR or any other vendor. They were produced and packaged to meet specific government requirements for integration into the HITL test environment.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP). Honeywell invented and proved the process required for emitter array technology and held the exclusive US patents (5,600,148 2/4/1997; 5,973,383 10/26/1999; 6,046,485

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4/4/2000; 5,895,233 4/20/1999; 6,036,872 3/14/2000; 6,210,494 4/3/2001) and all previous purchases were sole-sourced to Honeywell. Honeywell sold the exclusive license of this technology for emitter array applications to SBIR in June 2001, who is currently the only vendor of this specific technology. SBIR owns the patents for this technology and competitors would need to purchase the technology from SBIR for the Government to avoid incurring substantial duplication of costs; however, SBIR is unwilling to sell the technology at this time. Furthermore, the government does not own the array package design developed under contract FA2487-16-C-0299 by SBIR which contains the complete window specification necessary to procure additional windows for other commercial sources. In addition, we do not have organic knowledge and skills or the necessary documentation for safely removing and replacing the windows.

INTEGRATION RISK/COST. SBIR is the only vendor with knowledge, skills and experience that can integrate new custom windows into the existing OASIS 512 PEM IRSP package without significant risk of vacuum leaks causing the resistive arrays to fail or contaminate the emitter array making the IRSP unusable. The GWEF does not possess back-up IRSPs and a catastrophic loss would render the facility incapable of fulfilling its test obligations. Further, these scene projectors are not commercially available through SBIR or any other vendor. They were produced and packaged to meet specific government requirements for integration into the HITL test environment. In order to obtain new OASIS 512 PEM arrays a new production and packaging contract would have to be funded at a cost of over $10M dollars and take up to 7 years to receive a new IRSP.

SCHEDULE RISK. Selection of SBIR is the only option to avoid unacceptable schedule risk in bringing the new HITL IRCM T&E capability to support high-priority DOW customer requirements.

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

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

The market research revealed several US-based suppliers provide custom ZnSe optical windows with precision specifications and coatings suitable for this application. However, the government does not have the complete window specification or installation documentation to enable commercial procurement and installation. The OASIS 512 Projector Emitter Module (PEM) was designed by Santa Barbara Infrared (SBIR) and the government did not purchase the rights to their design and the as delivered system documentation is insufficient.

However, this requirement includes a window conformance report that will require a complete window physical specification. This will enable GWEF IRSP SME to pursue other commercial vendors sources for procurement of custom windows.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

This requirement includes a window conformance report deliverable that will provide a complete window physical specification. In addition, the window installation will occur at the GWEF facility allowing independent government observation and documentation of the procedure to remove the old windows and install the new windows. The GWEF will use this knowledge to develop a government procedure for removal and installation of windows for the OASIS 512 PEM IRSP systems. This will enable the government

April 2021 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 3 to pursue other commercial vendors sources for procurement of custom windows and perform installation in-house while minimizing risk.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

18-Feb-2026

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer

Amanda Jardine / NH-03

Signature of Contracting Officer

April 2021 Page of Section A: General Contract Information Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan?

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

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