JA_TACLANE Training Signed_Final.pdf

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

CUI

May 2026 Page 1 of 3May 2026 Page 1 of 3

For use when a justification and approval as described in RFO 6.104 is required, to include restricting competition under Part 12 for acquisitions valued over SAT.

Dollar Value of this Acquisition: < $10M > $10M and < $100M > $100M and < $500M > $500M

CERTIFICATIONS: CO certification serves as J&A approval < $10M, See J&A Template Guidance at https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/ AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory J&A Template Guidance tab

Date

21 August 2026

Contracting Officer (RFO 6.104-1(12))

MSGT TONYA OZEE

Signature

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

21 August 2026

Technical and Requirements Personnel (RFO 6.104(b)) David Aponik, Capt, USAF

Signature

I certify that the supporting data herein, which is my responsibility, is accurate and complete.

COORDINATION Sign and Save Procedure

** The text in the signature blocks below is editable, including the title.

** To remove a row, click the "X" next to the signature block. CAUTION: Once removed, it can only be restored by downloading the BLANK FORM again.

APPROVALS ( RFO 6.104-2(a) Table 6-1 & R-DFARS 206.104-72 Table 206.1)

See J&A Template Guidance (https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/ Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory) - Justification Approvals tab

NOTE 1: A signature block will appear here (replacing these notes) based on the "Dollar Value of this Acquisition" selected above. Since most digital signatures that include date/time-stamps are redacted before they are made publicly available, always insert the date in the “Date” cell when affixing a digital signature to this document.

May 2026 Page 2 of 3May 2026 Page 2 of 3

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

Headquarters Air Mobility Command (HQAMC 375th Contracting Squadron

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

This document approves the award of a task order on a sole source basis to General Dynamics for TACLANE Operator Training in support of HQAMC/A2 to ensure assigned personnel are fully qualified and capable of installing, configuring, and maintaining TACLANE network encryptors and associated management software within a practical operational environment to support mission requirements. This justification is made on the basis that General Dynamics Mission Systems is the manufacturer of the TACLANE equipment. Therefore, they are the technical experts in design, developing and manufacturing the TACLANE equipment.

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

The Vendor shall provide a structured, four-day training course that integrates both classroom presentations and practical, hands-on exercises. The instruction must cover the operational use of various TACLANE encryptor models and the Global Enterprise Management (GEM) One software. The ten students enrolled should have exams administered and certificates of completion presented.

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.

RFO 12.201-2, Other procedures - 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1)

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

GDMS is the only company able to supply this training as they are the designer, developer, and manufacturer of the TACLANE systems. As a result, their direct product knowledge, understanding of the hardware, software, and underlying cryptographic algorithms, and comprehensive portfolio coverage makes them the one company that can ensure proper training is administered. TACLANE products are all certified to protect national security, and GDMS understands the strict, legally mandated operational requirements associated with handling and managing High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment. Additionally, their training is strictly regulated and compliant with international military standards. Finally, GDMS uses a combination of classroom lectures with rigorous, hands-on labs using real-world operational scenarios in dedicated facilities, and they also offer the capability to bring the classroom to the students.

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

All required sources were vetted for this training, and no mandatory sources can provide the necessary training.

A Sources Sought notice was posted on SAM.gov (FA440726QTACL 13-19 Aug 2026) to see if any vendors claimed to be able to provide the training. We had two responses to this notice. A response from BHPE LLC did not answer the questions asked in the notice, and they only responded they are interested in the notice. The second response from O'Ready said they would coordinate the training which would be done through GDMS.

Contact with GDMS was made to ensure this training was not listed on their GSA MAS schedule.

As a result, market analysis confirms only GDMS can meet the government's minimum requirements without cost or

May 2026 Page 3 of 3May 2026 Page 3 of 3 schedule impacts.

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)):

GDMS retains the proprietary rights to the source code, internal system architecture, and engineering schematics for the TACLANE product line. Because these technologies are highly classified and proprietary, GDMS does not share this internal data with third-party training vendors. TACLANE units rely on proprietary configuration software like GEM® One Encryptor Manager, VLAN, and PEP. GDMS is the sole owner and distributor of this software. Third-party entities are legally and technically restricted from training users on proprietary software modifications or backend architectures.

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

The US Air Force would need to adjust Intellectual Property Strategy in future acquisition lifecycles. The mission partner and the USAF will continue to monitor the market to see what other options are out there that would meet or exceed the TACLANE equipment standards.

May 2026 Page of For use when a justification and approval as described in RFO 6.104 is required, to include restricting competition under Part 12 for acquisitions valued over SAT.

Dollar Value of this Acquisition:

CERTIFICATIONS: CO certification serves as J&A approval < $10M, See J&A Template Guidance at https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory J&A Template Guidance tab I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I certify that the supporting data herein, which is my responsibility, is accurate and complete.

COORDINATION

** The text in the signature blocks below is editable, including the title.

** To remove a row, click the "X" next to the signature block. CAUTION: Once removed, it can only be restored by downloading the BLANK FORM again.

APPROVALS ( RFO 6.104-2(a) Table 6-1 & R-DFARS 206.104-72 Table 206.1) See J&A Template Guidance (https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFCC/AQCP/KnowledgeCenter/SitePages/DAF-Contracting-Compass/Part-6---Competition-Requirements.aspx#exceptions-to-full-and-open-competition-mandatory) - Justification Approvals tab NOTE 1: A signature block will appear here (replacing these notes) based on the "Dollar Value of this Acquisition" selected above. Since most digital signatures that include date/time-stamps are redacted before they are made publicly available, always insert the date in the “Date” cell when affixing a digital signature to this document.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9.0.0.2.20120627.2.874785