Justification.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT

DIVISION LAKEHURST ROUTE 547

JOINT BASE MDL NEW JERSEY 08733

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, NJ

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves on a sole source basis the issuance of a Firm Fixed-Price contract to Supplynet, Inc. (Supplynet) for the procurement of XXX interface cables. Delivery is anticipated to be XXX after contract award.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field Special Communications Mission Solutions (SCMS) Division has been tasked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX provide interface cables for the Radio Integration System (RIS). The SCMS Division is the lead system integrator and the life cycle sustainment manager XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX users require modernization that will allow the use of newer technologies and waveforms. In order to incorporate the use of these modernized radios, the RIS system requires interface cables capable of connection between the new radios and the radio gateway found in all RIS Multi-Band Radio (MBR) transit systems, MBR mobile systems, Specialized Multiband Radio Transit System (SMRTS) base station systems, and SMRTS Command and Control C2 systems. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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

41 U.S.C. 1901, Simplified acquisition procedures (Certain Commercial Items).

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Supplynet is the only source with the requisite knowledge, experience, and technical expertise to continue production of the required interface cables and the only source with the technical data.

In an effort to increase competition, SCMS inquired on 19 April 2022 as to whether Supplynet would be willing to allow the Government to acquire unrestricted rights to the technical data.

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The requested Supplynet interface cables are uniquely compatible with the radio gateway and hardware of XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXradios, allowing universal serial bus functionality in a saturated electromagnetic environment.

Supplynet interface cables are the only known cables that can meet this combination of requirements.

Additionally, the requested interface cables have passed testing, which includes lab testing XXXXXX testing performed by end user for functionality in a simulated operational environment XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXand cybersecurity testing on operational network XXXXXXX

If the Government were to would incur duplicative costs XXXXXXXXXXXXXXnot expected to be recovered through competition. The estimated duplicative costs include XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Procuring another manufacturers interface cable would result in additional testing, program design reviews, and technical documentation updates which delay the program schedule XXXXXXXXX This delay would limit the ability XXXX to initiate and maintain base station communications and to pass operationally relevant data XXXX XXXXXXX The inability to initiate and maintain communications would impact XXXXXXXX

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

Market research was conducted to identify commercially-available solutions for interface cables that connect existing radio gateways to radios fielded by the RIS program. Multiple suppliers requirements for interoperability with existing radios and the radio gateway. Of the manufacturers identified in the market research, Supplynet is the only known manufacturer capable of providing interface cables that meet the requirements.

Further market research was conducted via General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage l Logistics Information System (FLIS) for the requested interface cables. The search of the DLA PUB LOG FLIS and GSA Advantage yielded no results. Supplynet has no authorized distributors for interface cables.

On 20 January 2022, a Request For Information (RFI) for interface cables was posted on the SAM.gov website to survey the marketplace for additional sources that could meet the Government's requirements. The solicitation number was N68335-22-R-0113 and used Product Service Code 5995 (Cable, Cord, and Wire Assemblies: Communications Equipment). The North American Industry Classification System code associated with the RFI was 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing). The RFI closed on 27 January 2022 XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXX A pre-solicitation synopsis was posted on 21 June 2022 and closed on 6 July 2022.

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7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

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

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons stated in paragraph 5, only Supplynet can meet the requirements for providing interface cables. The Government will continue to evaluate other technologies that would allow for future competition by conducting market research to determine if there are any future vendors that have the capability to meet this requirement.