Justification Crane and Rigging_Redacted.pdf

J&A# SPJA25-32

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity. Department of the Navy’s

Strategic Systems Programs Office (SSP) located at the Washington Navy Yard, 1250 10th Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20374.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved. This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the use of other than full and open competition to award a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (FFP-IDIQ) contract to North American Crane & Rigging, LLC (NACR) for the Navy’s Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Ashore and Complex 46 on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL. This acquisition supplies/services are particular to one manufacturer or company because only one source is reasonable available under a Sole Source Justification.

3. Description of Supplies/Services. This requirement is for crane and skilled rigging support. The contemplated contract will provide for the following:

(1) Handling Active Inert Missiles (AIM), Special Test Vehicles, and Missile Service Units (MSU);

(2) Provide all the support equipment; and

(3) Provide crane-engineering analysis to generate a complex or general lift plan for each lift.

The contemplated contract is expected to include a five-year ordering period which includes the issuance of task orders. Performance is anticipated to begin 1 May 2025 and end 30 April 2030. The start and end of all United Kingdom efforts will be 6 months behind the United States to align with their fiscal year.

The total estimated value of this IDIQ will be $

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

DIRECTOR STRATEGIC SYSTEMS PROGRAMS

1250 10TH STREET SE, SUITE 3600

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DC 20374-5127

IN REPLY REFER TO:

Appropriation Type

FY25-FY29

Total

OMN $

WPN $

SCN $

RDTE $

TOTALS $

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Brand Name Justification. This action is being executed in accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i) as only one source is reasonably available.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Cited Authority. The performance requirements and capabilities include portable cranes, rigging services, and program management support functions for lifting heavy military equipment on an “as needed” basis for SWS Ashore and Complex 46 on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL.

(1) The missile handling operations performed at SWS Ashore are critical and complex in nature, and require an experienced and professional crane crew to accomplish these lifts.

All lifts and corresponding crane lifting and handling equipment must adhere to the requirements outlined in NAVFAC P307 (Weight Handling Program Management) as well as the TRIDENT II AIM Handling and Stowage Interfaces Coordination Document 5760228. NAVFAC P307 provides that the Navy must limit lift complexity.

(2) Based on market research conducted in November 2024, NACR was found to be the only vendor capable to meet all of SSP’s requirements. Specifically, NACR was found to be capable of meeting the following requirements:

The ability to adhere to all NAVFAC P307 requirements for all crane, rigging, and handling requirements specified within the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

In possession of crane operators and riggers that meet the certification requirements as specified in NAVFAC P307.

In possession of rigging and weight handling equipment that meets NAVFAC P307 requirements.

Has a detailed knowledge of handling AIMs, Missile Thermal Simulators, Special Test

Vehicles, Support Equipment and Heave Haul Transportation, Facility Proofing Vehicle, and Missile Service units with respect to crane and rigging operations.

Has a detailed knowledge of Contractor Crane Policy and Procedures located in NOTUINST 11262.1B, CH1 of 20 April 2021, Chapter 9.

Has a detailed understanding or experience performing work using NAVFAC P307 requirements.

In possession of a crane with the ability to operate in the limited space of the swing operating envelope (Includes restriction of crane operation are that the crane cannot transverse during suspended load operations, and must be able to reach both Test Bay 1 and 2 from the same position during operations between the two test bays, and safely lift a load in excess of 170,000 pounds for that entire distance of travel.)

Demonstrated recent and relevant experience, as the Prime contractor, performing the same or similar efforts of the same or similar scope, size, and complexity.

(3) NACR’s past performance has demonstrated the ability to handle AIMs, Special Test Vehicles, MSUs, and lift support equipment (e.g., hoists, maintenance platforms, etc).

NACR has an understanding of the Navy Cane Center P-307 document requirements.

NACR past performance has demonstrated that NACR’s lifts have been consistently safe and successful when meeting SSP’s various lifting and handling requirements. NACR has provided safe and successful lifts due to their Manitowoc (MLC) crane and its advanced features, their familiarization with P-307 requirements, and their ability to handle the operation of a mobile crane while lifting a load that involves a tilting fixture.

(4) From past performance, the lifting and handling equipment that NACR provides is state-of-the art and well-maintained. It is critical, given the complexity of the work being performed, which involves the use of multiple cranes and maneuvering large awkward loads, that the lifting and handling equipment be maintained in peak operational condition.

(5) As required by the PWS, the crane cannot transverse during suspended load operations, and must be able to reach both Test Bay 1 and 2 from the same position during operations between the two test bays, and safely lift a load in excess of 120,000 pounds for that entire distance of travel. NACR has a crane that has the reach with the load capacity for that lifting evolution and has successfully demonstrated this capability in the past.

(6) NACR’s MLC is the only crane model that utilizes active (i.e., variable position / moving) counterweights. This eliminates the need for a hanging or wheeled counterweight tray that any competitor model would require. This means that dimensionally, the MLC is much smaller than any possible competitor model while still maintaining superior load charts. With the smaller footprint resulting from this crane’s unique active counterweight technology, the MLC is positioned between the facility and the horizontal missile when performing missile lifts. The MLC has the smallest footprint in its capacity class and consumes all available space between the facility and missile. No other crane of sufficient capacity could fit in this work area, because the MLC is positioned parallel to both the missile and the test bays building, thus, positive control over the missile load is never lost. This is a result of the MLC, by virtue of its unique set up location, bringing the missile vertical at an exact 90-degree angle to the load. This means that once the missile approaches the vertical (i.e., the neutral position) there is no slack in either the rigging or the hoist line. The missile is brought vertical in a controlled float in the trunnions. Furthermore, the unique crane monitoring and load surveillance technology in the NACR crane has been calibrated to the exact parameters of the missile lift to ensure the operator has continual awareness of the state of load control.

(7) The lack of slack in the neutral position eliminates the possibility of shock loading and side loading either of which could result in rigging failure, crane failure, or damage / injury to adjacent persons or property. With the NACR crane, the potential for uncontrolled movements of missile is fully mitigated because the load is always in a controlled float. This is not the case with any other crane. By contrast, any crane proposed by a competitor would require additional ballast not required by the technologically superior NACR crane. This additional ballast system would take the form of a hanging or wheeled counterweight tray attached to the rear of any other crane in the requisite capacity class. That rear tray significantly increases the footprint of the crane, eliminating its ability to work in the position of the NACR’s between the building and the missile. Any crane that cannot fit in the limited space between the facility and the missile would need to set up at a farther working radius to the North. Therefore, a 90-degree angle between the crane and the load cannot be achieved. This means that when the load approaches the neutral position during the up-righting process, there will be a point where the below-the-hook rigging and / or the hoist line of the crane become slack. At that point, the crane crew will have no positive control over the movement of the missile. The missile could be subject to abrupt flailing that could result in a shock load or side load.

That type of dynamic force could cause a rigging failure or crane failure that, in the worst case, could result in the dropping of the missile. Additionally, it could cause damage to the missile from the dynamic forces or collision with adjacent obstructions, and / or injury to surrounding property and personnel. All these risks are uniquely mitigated by the NACR crane’s technological capabilities, superior load charts, and class-leading compact footprint.

(8) NACR crane’s technology will reduce risk and cost to SSP’s equipment. The equipment being lifted would be difficult for SSP to replace, both in terms of cost and restarting the production capabilities, which includes the AIM and any instrumentation.

Any degradation of equipment could cost SSP millions of dollars, and could potentially impact the safety of personnel required to be in near vicinity during portions of the lift.

Examples of high-cost SSP equipment involved in most lifts include:

Replacement hoist costs $5,000,050 Replacement Maintenance Platform costs $1,760,000 Replacement D5LE2 new production AIM costs $33,995,000 Replacement D5LE AIM costs $38,000,000

(9) Due to the specialized crane and rigging tasks required, only NACR has been found to have the type of equipment to perform the required actions, have the extensive experience performing the required tasks, as well as having the equipment available with trained and qualified personnel.

(10) Since SWS Ashore is the number one risk mitigator to COLUMBIA Lead Ship build, any delay in SWS Ashore AIM Handling schedule could impact COLUMBIA delivery to the fleet.

6. Market Research Conducted. SSP conducted market research as described below in support of the subject requirement for commercial crane and skilled rigging support.

A Sources Sought Notice (SSN) was issued on Sam.gov on 26 November 2024 to determine if there were capable Small Businesses able to support the new requirement.

Five responses were received and reviewed by the technical team for their capability to perform the following:

(1) Ability of the crane contractor to adhere to all NAVFAC P307 requirements for all crane, rigging, and handling requirements.

(2) Ability to obtain or possess crane operators and riggers that meet the certification requirements as specified in NAVFAC P307.

(3) Possess a detailed knowledge of handling AIMs, Missile Thermal Simulators, Special Test Vehicles, Support Equipment and Heave Haul Transportation, Facility Proofing Vehicle, and Missile Service units with respect to crane and rigging operations.

(4) Possess a detailed knowledge of Contractor Crane Policy and Procedures located in NOTUINST 11262.1B, CH1 of 20 April 2021, Chapter 9.

(5) Possess a detailed understanding or experience performing work using NAVFAC P307 requirements.

(6) Ability to obtain or possess a crane to operate in the limit space of the swing operating envelope. (This includes restriction of crane operation are that the crane cannot transverse during suspended load operations, and must be able to reach both Test Bay 1 and 2 from the same position during operations between the two test bays, and safely lift a load in excess of 170,000 pounds for that entire distance of travel.)

(7) Previous relevant work performed or specific work that demonstrates capability to perform the specific requirements identified in the draft PWS.

A total of five respondents were received in response to the SSN. Of the five respondents, four respondents submitted white papers as requested in the SSN. Of these four, only two companies were found to be capable to perform five requirements listed above. One respondent, NACR, was found capable to perform all seven of the requirements listed above.

Other market research efforts performed included querying government wide databases of contracts such as Federal Procurement Data System-next Generation, General Services Administration, SAM.gov, and SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search to locate capable vendors and ordering vehicles.

7. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Potential Sources as

Practicable. In addition to the market research described in Section 6 above, this requirement will be posted to SAM.gov allowing as many potential sources as practicable to review the requirement. A combined synopsis/solicitation will be published on SAM.gov in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2.

8. Fair and Reasonable Determination. The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

9. Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition. None

10. Actions to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Competition

Based upon the aforementioned facts and details identified in Section 5, the Government does not foresee a feasible alternative to the selected source. SSP will continue to monitor the marketplace for viable, cost-effective options to meet this requirement. If another potential source emerges, SSP will asses whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

CERTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance:

Signature

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

Signature

CONTRACTING OFFICER APPROVAL

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

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve.

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