Justification and Approval Aerial Surveillance_TCR_WLP_CPACA SIGNED.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

10 U.S.C. § 3204

Pursuant to the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.3, and in accordance with the requirements of FAR 6.303-1, the use of the statutory authority under FAR Subpart 6.3 is justified by the following facts and rationale required under FAR 6.303-2 as follows:

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Office of Contract Operations (CG-912) prepared this justification for other than full and open competition.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action being Approved.

a) Nature of the action: USCG is pursuing a sole source Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract.

b) Name and address of the contractor is:

Technology Service Corporation (TSC) 1900 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025.

c) Type of action: Firm Fixed-Price contract.

d) Estimated total value (including options):

Period Total Base Period $ 2,450,000 Option Period $ 1,042,500 Total $ 3,492,500

e) Type of funding: Operations and Support Funds

f) Year of funding: Fiscal Year 2023

g) Solicitation number: 70Z02323R7X000001

h) Background information about the requirement: Mnemonics and TSC were awarded

SBIR Phase I contract numbers FAB650-09-M-1537 and FA8650-09-M-1538, dated 08 January 2009 and 19 December 2008, resulting from topic AF083-139. Topic AF083- 138 was entitled “Support Jammer Queuing”. TSC was subsequently awarded SBIR Phase II contract number FA8650-10-C-1711 dated 8 January 2010 under topic AF083- 139.

Topic AF083-139 sought new concepts for improved Radio Frequency (RF) sensing, integrated communication data links, and subsequent command and control targeted jamming of threat emitters. Multiple airframes are considered part of the overall sensor and jammer architecture, which also include Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms. These platforms would support Mobility Air Force (MAF) aircraft and the standoff jammers deployed in support of them. Critical challenges include sensing/geo-locating Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) threat emitters, communicating their locations to the standoff jammer in real-time while using extremely high sensitivity, lightweight and low power sensor, and communication systems technology.

The goal of this research was hardware and software designs that result in small, lightweight, electronic surveillance receiver that can be carried onboard UAVs, possessing the capability of detecting a variety of RF emitters, utilizing either conventional or LPI waveforms. The software algorithms, in combination of small UAV fleets, will provide the ability to geolocate these emitters with sufficient accuracy to optimally position support jammers to protect MAF assets. The technology may also benefit domestic commercial applications, among them rescue missions to locate hikers, skiers, and boaters carrying small RF beacons, and homeland security missions such as locating teams of intruders that communicate via cell phones.

Additionally, the multi-sensor Threat Emitter Geolocation System (TEGS) may be used to locate and manage slowly moving aircraft in airports, and to foil automated dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) spoofing by either measuring range to aircraft identified by these signals or locating the spoofing emitter.

Phase I sought the development of a TEGS, which consists of highly sensitive intercept receiver technology, coupled with a broadband antenna with front-hemisphere wide beamwidth, and powerful geolocation estimation and tracking algorithms to determine and refine the location of the detected emitters and minimize the effects of multipath, atmospheric attenuation, and other interfering signals. These components can be made small, light, and power-efficient, to accommodate UAV space, weight, and power constraints.

Phase II sought to fully define the TEGS system design; predict/estimate it’s performance characteristics via high-fidelity digital modeling and simulation tools;

develop, procure, assemble, integrate, and test hardware and software of a TEGS proof of concept demonstration system; perform and document tests to measure the efficacy of the TEGS concept in geolocating ground-based emitters of opportunity; and identify commercialization paths for the concept, both for military and civilian applications.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This Phase III effort derives from the Phase I and II efforts described in the above section, and is for the procurement of Sea Dragon aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services needed to support Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) within the USCG District 7 Area of Responsibility (AOR). The ISR services will augment existing ISR for the detection of small to medium vessels of wood, steel or rustic construction used for illegal trafficking of migrants and narcotics. TSC will utilize either a Cessna or King Air aircraft to provide aerial ISR to support law enforcement and illegal trafficking operations.

TSC’s TEGS ISR system was designed specifically for wide area, maritime surveillance using highly capable radar and electro-optical sensors on low-cost general aviation aircraft.

TEGS can detect and identify small maritime targets over a broad oceanic area and relay those results in real-time anywhere in the world via a Satellite Communication (SATCOM) link. Utilizing TEGS, the TSC aircraft will be able to detect targets and vessels of interest as determined by USCG and the tasking authority (District 7). Any targets of interest will be identified via geo-tagged electro optical high-definition image capture. ISR operators will provide 3-point image capture ensuring vessel hull identification and deck activity are captured with sufficient quality to enable USCG command and control and be admissible as evidence in a court of law if necessary. Real time communication via SATCOM also allows for data dissemination, coordination, and dynamic re-tasking mid-flight to support operations as needed.

The TSC aircraft is expected to base out of either Florida or another Caribbean airport and will support up to 250 ISR flight hours per month. ISR operations are expected to be conducted in an area extending from the South Florida Straits on the west, along the northern border of Cuban territorial waters on the south, to the eastern border of Haiti on the east, and to Bahamian territorial water including the Old Bahama Channel and Great Bahaa Bank to the north as directed by USCG District 7 Response Division personnel. The base Period of Performance (POP) for this effort is 14 weeks, which includes establishment of home base infrastructure, relocation of the aircraft, and 10 weeks of aerial ISR services. In addition, this requirement will have up to (6) 2-week options included for additional aerial ISR services.

The total POP, inclusive of all options, is 18 months.

4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open

Competition.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (a)(2)(i): Authorized or Required by Statute. 15 U.S.C. 638(r)(1) states: "In the case of a small business concern that is awarded a funding agreement for Phase II of an SBIR or STTR program, a federal agency may enter into a Phase III agreement with that business concern for additional work to be performed during or after the Phase II period." Furthermore, 15 U.S.C. 638(r)(4) states: "To the greatest extent practicable, Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole source awards, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology.”

5. Identification of Exception to the Buy American Act.

Not Applicable.

6. Demonstration that the Proposed Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the Acquisition Require Use of the Authority Cited.

The nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited. The SBIR/STTR Programs are structured in three phases. Phase I (project feasibility) determines the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the ideas submitted. Phase II (project development to prototype) is the major research and development effort, funding the prototyping and demonstration of the most promising Phase I projects. Phase III (commercialization) is the goal of the SBIR/STTR Programs. Because the Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes efforts performed under Phase I and II, use of the authority cited is required.

7. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited from as Many

Potential Sources as is Practicable.

The topic for this effort was included in the Department of Defense Program Competitive Solicitation issued under the SBIR Program. As described above, only TSC is being considered for Phase III award due to the nature of the acquisition. In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(7), this proposed contract action does not require public notification to the Government point of entry.

8. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the

Government will be Fair and Reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine prior to award that the negotiated price of the contract executed under this justification is fair and reasonable pursuant to FAR Subpart 15.4. This determination will be documented in a memorandum, which will be included in the contract file.

9. Description of Market Research.

FAR 10.001(a)(2) indicates that market research appropriate to the circumstances must be conducted. The Coast Guard has a need to test and evaluate Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies to provide real-time maritime domain awareness (MDA) to operational commanders. Specifically, the Coast Guard has an immediate and urgent need to evaluate these technologies to provide safety of life at sea given the recent upsurge of illegal migration via maritime routes in vessels that are inherently unsafe and unseaworthy. This requirement is best addressed through multiple aircraft and multi-modal sensor suites. TSC has demonstrated in SBIR Phase I and Phase II efforts the ability to harness myriad sensors and fuse them into an MDA. This Phase III effort is to test and evaluate these sensors in a maritime environment with new vessel signatures (e.g., Sail Freighters, Chugs, and other small vessels) that are unique to the maritime area of responsibility (AOR). In accordance with SBIR PD4. (c), this SBIR Phase III effort is for the testing and evaluation of products and services offered by TSC under SBIR Phases I and II. This Phase III effort derives from the Phase I and II efforts described above and is for the testing and evaluation of Sea Dragon aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services needed to support MDA within the Caribbean AOR. TSC will utilize a King Air and/or Cessna Skymaster 337 aircraft to provide aerial ISR to safety of life at sea operations.

10. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

11. A Listing of the Sources, if Any, that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the

Acquisition.

12. A Statement of the Actions, if Any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any

Barriers to Competition Before Any Subsequent Acquisition for Supplies or Services Required.

The Contracting Officer anticipates that competitors will enter the market once the product is commercialized. It is likely that future acquisitions will be competed using full and open competition and commercial item acquisition procedures. The Contracting Officer is not aware of any specific actions that would further remove barriers to competition.

13. Contracting Officer’s Certification.

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Wendy L. Paulo Date Contracting Officer

14. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

I certify that this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for the justification, is accurate and complete.

CAPT Thomas C. Remmers Date Technical Representative

Approval:

Edward S. Frank Date Command Procuring Activity Competition Advocate (CPACA)