JA - TCS Model 3000-10 Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, MD.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a Sole Source contract utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (Certain Commercial Items) applicable under FAR 13.5, to Telemetry & Communications Systems, INC. (TCS) to procure an Auto- Tracking Antenna System in support of the Atlantic Test Range (ATR), Real-Time Telemetry Branch Team. In accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(l)(ii), contracting officer ' s must "prepare sole source (including brand name) justifications using the format at 6.303-2, modified to reflect that the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 were used".

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The NAWCAD ATR has a requirement for the upgrade of (2) TCS Model 3000-10 Auto- Tracking Antenna Systems that will be integrated with the current Auto-Tracking systems for Real-Time Telemetry Processing System (RTPS). This integration is part of the RTPS IV upgrade being managed by the NAWCAD Telemetry Branch at ATR. RTPS IV is a Navy Improvement and Modernization effort aimed at replacing the existing telemetry processing systems at ATR. RTPS IV provides processing and display of data, which is collected and transmitted as telemetry signals from the aircraft or other test article. This equipment will support ATR telemetry infrastructure and provide the needed capability to support all major flight testing at the ATR.

The TCS Antenna is needed for new Telemetry Acquisition Systems (TAS’s) that are being installed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station and remote site locations. The additional Systems are required to keep up with increasing flight operations. TAS's are used in virtually all flight operations for ground data prior to flight, and for tracking during flight operations. Main telemetry antennas are unable to receive ground data due to blockages from trees, buildings, and hangars surrounding aircraft startup areas. With additional hangars being built around the airfield, it is proving more and more difficult to receive clean telemetry. Without TAS's reception of ground data, aircraft cannot transition to runways to begin flight-testing.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

21983 BUNDY ROAD BLDG 441

PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND 20670-1127

Estimated Dollar Value in Thousands

FY21-RDT&E $594k

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

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(l ), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The TCS Model Model 3000-10 series of Auto-Tracking Antenna Systems are currently the only ones used in the ATR configuration. To change to a different model or manufacturer's Auto- Tracking Antenna Systems would require an update to all of the associated telemetry equipment to another brand/vendor and result in a duplication of cost to the Government estimated at $5,000,000. Auto-Tracking Systems other than TCS would not be compatible with the existing telemetry equipment and consequently, new telemetry equipment and the associated training would need to be procured. Additionally, The TCS equipment has proven performance in L-band, S-band and C-band (L/S/C) band frequencies and cost-effective operations. TCS has supported stationary and mobile Telemetry ™ operations with total success. This is essential to providing clean data to Flight Test Customers.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

The Auto-Tracking Antenna Systems is a commercial item as defined by FAR 2.101. FAR Part 12 prescribes policies and procedures related to the acquisition of Commercial Items and applies to this procurement. Based on the commercial designation and according to streamlined solicitation for commercial items, FAR 12.603(a) states, "when a written solicitation will be issued, the contracting officer may use the following procedure to reduce the time required to solicit and award contracts for the acquisition of commercial items. This procedure combines the synopsis required by FAR 5.203 and the issuance of the solicitation into a single document." In accordance with the preceding excerpt and pursuant to FAR 5.203(a)(2) in which acquisitions of commercial items may use the combined synopsis and solicitation procedure, a combined synopsis/solicitation was posted to SAM.gov on 4 November 2021, in an effort to confirm whether TCS is the only authorized seller of the required TCS receivers. Only one quote, from TCS, was received in response to the combined synopsis/solicitation.

The ATR has made previous efforts to determine if additional companies could provide the required Auto-Tracking Antenna Systems. Extensive research was conducted using the internet and demo products to identify any and all companies with the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements. Technical data included a review of correct filter, modulation format, channel, and band selection options required in current Range telemetry configurations. In addition, a review was conducted among similar models offered by manufacturers on similar classification for the correct supply output signal configurations, to include combiner signal outputs, digital and analog outputs, and Intermediate Frequency (IF) out.

Based on the above findings, TCS was found to be the only vendor with an antenna architecture that is able to provide the support for command and control telemetry. The TCS telemetry antennas were found to possess the correct filter, modulation format, channel, and band selection options that are required in current Range telemetry configurations.

In accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii), the Government will make the justification publicly available within 14 days after contract award.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that all supplies and services provided under this contract are procured at a fair and reasonable price. The Contractor will submit a formal price proposal with pricing data and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. The TCS proposal was reviewed by experienced technical analysts and contract specialists. As these items are considered Commercial Items as defined in FAR 2.101, the Contracting Officer will utilize price analysis as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAWCAD has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. The ATR will continue to monitor the market for vendors that can provide the expertise and capability to provide a complete system needed to satisfy and support requirements. If another potential source emerges, ATR will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.