Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity.pdf

Justification Review Document for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

Under FAR 16.505(a)(4)

Program/Equipment: CEPTOR RF Situational Awareness System

Authority: 10 United States Code 2304C (b)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.505(a)(4) – Restricting consideration to an item peculiar to one manufacturer (e.g., a particular brand-name, product, or a feature of a product that is peculiar to one manufacturer.)

Amount: $XXX

Prepared by:

Typed Name: MSgt Buddy Ciemiengo

Title: Contracting Specialist Date: 9 September 2025

E-mail: buddy.ciemiengo.1@us.af.mil

Contracting Officer:

Typed Name: SMSgt Shawn T. Stewart

Date Reviewed: 9 September 2025

E-Mail: shawn.stewart.4@us.af.mil

Technical/Requirements Representative:

Typed Name: SMSgt Odis Smith

Title: SCX Superintendent

Date Reviewed: 9 September 2025

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity Under FAR 16.505(a)(4)

1. Contracting Activity: 147 Attack Wing Contracting Office

2. Description of Action: New contract, Firm Fixed Price, O&M Funding.

3. Description of Supplies: Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) PR200 Portable receiver with Firmware, power accessories, HE400 Directional Antenna, HE600 Omni Antenna, CEPTOR with controller and Software. Include optional extended warranty to 5 years.

The R&S PR-200 portable spectrum monitoring receiver and CEPTOR software allows for proactive support and protection of spectrum dependent mission and weapon system equipment of the 147th Attack Wing. The PR200 and CEPTOR were designed with the input of military spectrum managers to be a necessary tool to automatically detect radio frequency parameters (bandwidth, power, duration) to effectively verify known and unknown frequency users. The PR200 and CEPTOR aid in preventing unnecessary risks that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitters can cause to ordnances during transmission. EMR hazards can potentially fire off the circuit in ordnances that are electrically initiated devices (EIDs). The system identifies and alerts interfering frequencies, in real-time, affecting communications on base such as Security Forces, Fire, Air Traffic Control, and MILSTAR which enables the spectrum manager the ability to quickly identify, locate, and mitigate the cause of the interference that is affecting command and control spectrum dependent systems.

This justification for Brand Name Only requirements include the following:

CEPTOR RF Situational Awareness System PR200 portable receiver with:

-Firmware options *Panorama Scan *Polychrome *Mapping *Internal Recording -Accessories *Spare Battery *External Battery Charger *DC Car Charger *Pelican Case for PR200 and HE400 -Extension of standard one year PR200 warranty to five years total -HE400 Handheld directional antenna handle and elements *HE400VHF (20 MHz – 200 MHz) *HE400UWB (30 MHz – 6 GHz) *HE400LP (450 MHz – 8 GHz) -HE600 omni-directional monitoring antenna (20 MHz – 8 GHz) *IN600 AC bias unit *Master adapter, cables and transit case

- CEPTOR controller with software modules:

*Search and Observe *Collect Data

* Calculate Spectrum Usage *Signal Identification

(PRCEP_JAKL_MON.8GX)

4. Authority Cited: FAR 16.505(a)(4) – Restricting consideration to an item peculiar to one manufacturer (e.g., a particular brand-name, product, or a feature of a product that is peculiar to one manufacturer.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: 147 ATKW has a requirement to provide spectrum monitoring in accordance with DAFI 17-220. This requirement has certain technical aspects that must be met. Frequency accuracy, Frequency response time, ability to monitor 24/7, and direction finding ability. The R&S PR100 was adopted in 2002 as the Department of Defense standard for such purposes. The 333 Training Squadron (TRS) for Spectrum Managers utilized the PR100 as the sole training and operational tool for spectrum management. They have since upgraded to the PR200 as the sole training equipment for Spectrum Operations technical school. Utilizing another system would require re-training of personnel resulting in approximately $XXX per year for travel and lodging at Keesler AFB. The PR200 is also the sole tool utilized by Spectrum Operations across deployed areas of responsibility, further highlighting the need for standardization. Currently 147 ATKW has a need for a Spectrum Analyzer due to increase in Mission requirements, purchase of the PR200 instead of the PR100 is necessary to modernize inventory and prevent the duplication of costs as the PR100 was phased out in FY23, and to align 147 ATKW Spectrum Operations with DAFl17-220 requirements and the 333 TRS curriculum.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Solicitation will be place on SAM.gov for open competition. A notice is not posted, FAR 5.202(a)(6) applies.

a. Effective competition. Research shows that multiple small businesses offer the required equipment.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: 147 MSG/MSC will conduct ongoing market research to identify new vendors, emerging technologies, and innovative solutions relevant to the organization's procurement requirements. As well as, staying informed about industry trends and developments that may impact future procurement decisions.

8. Market Research: Many vendors identified through NASA SEWP

9. Other Facts: This requirement has certain technical aspects that can only be met by the brand name.

10. Technical Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: ________________________________ Date: 9 September 2025

Typed Name: SMSgt Odis Smith Title: SCX Superintendent

11. Contracting Officer Certification:

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

Signature: ________________________________Date: 9 September 2025

Typed Name: SMSgt Shawn T. Stewart Title: Base Contracting Officer