justification_and_approval_RFO_REDACTED_Redacted.pdf

This is a Department of the Air Force Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (CUI document) dated March 2026 for a contract action valued at less than $10M.

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Directorate of Contracting, Installation Contracting Division at Edwards Air Force Base, California is seeking to execute a firm-fixed-price contract for acquisition of a brand name Shark R-134a Refrigerant Reclaimer. This specialized equipment recovers, recycles, and removes contaminants such as oil, acid, and moisture from R-134a refrigerant to ensure availability of certified equipment for safely handling and reclaiming refrigerant in compliance with environmental standards. The equipment is required to perform maintenance on Polyalphaolefin (PAO) Liquid Coolant Carts used for ground maintenance of F-22 aircraft. The current on-hand reclaimer (BV-300-1) is obsolete and no longer centrally managed; all refrigerant reclaimer assets are procured via Installation Contracting.

The justification for other than full and open competition is based on 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), citing that only one responsible source exists and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The SHARK refrigerant reclaimer possesses unique single-pass reclamation technology and is the only unit certified by the Air-conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to clean dirty R134a refrigerant to the ARI 700 standard for reclaimed gas in a single pass. Market research contacted three small businesses but confirmed multiple vendors can provide a Shark refrigerant reclaimer; however, the contracting organization determined the SHARK-230-134A model (NSN 4250-01-658-3113) is the required standard replacement. The Contracting Officer is responsible for determining and documenting that the anticipated contract cost and price is fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR Subpart 15.4.