JA25-047 PLEO SBS003524 - AFRL F-15 Group Service_Redacted.pdf

JA25-047 PLEO Task Order SBS003524 – AFRL Custom Group Service Plan

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SpaceX. No other PLEO ID/IQ awardees are authorized resellers of the Starshield Aviation service.

Market research was conducted to determine what sources could provide PLEO terminals suitable for installation and use on military aviation platforms such as aircraft and provide an operational packaged PLEO service for those terminals.

(2) Minimum Government requirements.

This task order shall provide 1 TB Best Effort – Aviation service for existing Starshield Aviation terminals installed on aircraft. The service provided must be equivalent in terms of data rate and coverage area to that which is available with existing Starshield Aviation service plans. The vendor shall provide customized operational PLEO broadband data transport service permitting multiple user terminals in a designated group to share a data usage allocation.

(3) Proposed sole source contractor and demonstration of unique source.

After reviewing all offerings available, SpaceX is the only PLEO IDIQ vendor that can provide Best Effort Aviation service for the Starshield aviation terminals to fulfill the mission needs.

Currently, there are no vendors on the PLEO IDIQ that are authorized resellers of the Starshield service.

(4) Procurement discussion.

The specific technical requirements lead to the conclusion that only SpaceX can meet the requirements of this task order. Market research indicates only one viable contractor among the PLEO satellite system operators, resellers, and/or integrators that can meet requirements of the PLEO AFRL Custom Group Service Plan Task Order. SpaceX is a current PLEO IDIQ contract holder. Therefore, a PLEO task order is the only path to procure performance of the required pilot program.

(5) Impact.

Without this exception to fair opportunity, the timeline to award will be unnecessarily extended, causing the Mission Partner to endure a longer period of time without the required services. The delay will reduce the Mission Partner’s ability to collect and analyze the pilot program data to make an informed decision on future procurement actions and increase risk to the Government.

5. COST/PRICE FAIR AND REASONABLE DETERMINATION:

Pricing will be determined fair and reasonable based on analysis and comparison of the established PLEO IDIQ contract pricing as well as contracts for the same or similar services.

6. MARKET RESEARCH:

CSCO's PLEO team maintains continuous visibility of the PLEO satellite communication (SATCOM) market through news tracking, industry contacts, and an open call for on-ramping of offerings and offerors to the PLEO ID/IQs. At this time there is no other vendor that can offer a PLEO service plan to support Starshield terminals installed on aircraft.

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Based on current market research, dated January 2025, it has been determined that only the aforementioned service provided by SpaceX, can fully meet the Government’s need. This requirement is for services and no competitor functional replacement products exist in the market at this time to meet the Government's need.

The Government will continue to conduct market research to determine if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable future competitive actions, i.e., there are similar products and/or product support in the marketplace that provides the same functionality, the original equipment manufacturer releases ownership rights of the product, or it is economically feasible to procure a new system.

7. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS: None.

8. ACTIONS THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME BARRIERS

THAT LED TO THE EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY:

(a) Procurement History. Starshield Aviation Unlimited Service was added to the SpaceX

PLEO contract during the contract award, but there are no current task orders that provide the capability of a service data cap of 1 TB on the Starshield aviation terminals. Services must be compatible with Aeroterminal – Tile Antennas, similar to the service that were added to task order SBS003518 that included Aeroterminal – Tile Antennas, however only services for this task order are sought with the differentiator of a data cap limit.

(b) CSCO’s PLEO team maintains continuous visibility of the PLEO SATCOM market through news tracking, industry contracts, and an open call for the on-ramping of offerings and offerors to the PLEO IDIQ. Aviation-qualified terminals are only available from one contractor at this time. Future on-ramping events allow qualified terminals and services to be added to the PLEO suite of equipment and services. This will allow an opportunity for future task orders to be conducted without an exception to fair opportunity.

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TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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

PROCURING ACTIVITY COMPETITION ADVOCATE (PACA) APPROVAL: I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this justification does not exceed $15M, this review serves as approval and my written determination that the aforementioned FAR circumstances apply.

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS JUSTIFICATION ARE TO BE REFERRED TO

Dean L. Cravens (667) 890-4351 dean.l.cravens.civ@mail.mil