H.13 Determinaton that Only One Source is Reasonable Available - FAR Part 13 UnderSAT (V ) - Crewmembers Safety Belts - Redacted.pdf

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO

3250 CATLIN AVENUE

QUANTICO VIRGINIA 22134 5001

Determination that Only One Source is Reasonably Available (Including Brand Name) – FAR Part 13 Acquisitions under the SAT

MEMORANDUM TO THE FILE

Subj: DETERMINATION THAT ONLY ONE SOURCE IS REASONABLY AVAILABLE FOR

A FAR PART 13 ACQUISITION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

I. BACKGROUND:

1. FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) states for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, Contracting Officers may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

2. As required by FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i), this memorandum explains the absence of competition for this acquisition, as only one source will be solicited for this requirement (or for a portion of the requirement) and the requirement (or portion of the requirement to be sole-sourced) is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

II. DESCRIPTION OF ITEM OR SERVICE:

Marine Helicopter Squadron One has a requirement for forty (40) Crewmember’s Aircraft Safety Belt to support operations aboard the V-22 Osprey. Crewmembers assigned to the cargo bay and open ramp area during flight are mandated to wear certified safety harnesses or restraints to mitigate the risk of falls and in-flight accidents. These safety belts have been in operational service since 2008 and remain a critical component of the squadron’s aviation safety protocol.

The Aircraft Crewmember Safety Belt are designed for helicopter crew members operating near open hatches or doors. These belts prioritize both security and quick-release functionality. A typical model includes:

• A 5-inch wide inner belt for comfort and support.

• Dual MIL-SPEC nylon outer waist belts with double-locking quick-release buckles.

• A centrally located, quick-adjusting tether with a stainless steel auto-lock snap hook.

• Adjustable tether length up to 72 inches.

• Available in sizes to fit waist measurements from 30" to 50".

These belts are engineered to keep crew members safely tethered while allowing for rapid egress in emergencies—a critical balance in aviation safety gear.

The Government intends to issue a single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) order with fixed-price award. The required base delivery/performance start date is within 45 days date of award.

The Government intends to issue a single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) order with FFP CLIN’s against an Open Market contract vehicle. Estimated cost for this procurement is $XXX. Marine Corps Operations and Maintenance (O&M) appropriations will be used to fund the requirement outlined in the table below:

V 1.6 (20 December 2023)

FY25 Total Period O&M

Item Name / Description Manufacturer Part Number

Quantity Unit Price Extended Price

Crewmember Aircraft Safety Belts

N/A 40

TOTAL

III. THE DETERMINATION FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IS

BASED ON THE FOLLOWING (select all that apply):

A. X ONLY ONE RESPONSIBLE SOURCE (select all that apply):

1. _ RESTRICTIVE RIGHTS. The source has established proprietary rights, limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights or secret processes in the item or service required.

2. ___EXCLUSIVE LICENSING AGREEMENTS. The item or service is only available from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), or there is only one authorized distributor or technical representative for the OEM.

3. X OTHER REASONS.

Marine Helicopter Squadron One has a requirement for one (1) Crewmember’s Aircraft Safety Belt to support operations aboard the V-22 Osprey. The Aircraft Crewmember Safety Belt stands out for its blend of high-security restraint and rapid-release functionality, tailored specifically for helicopter operations near open doors or hatches. Here are some of its unique features:

• Dual MIL-SPEC nylon waist belts with double-locking quick-release buckles, offering both strength and fast egress capability.

• A 5-inch wide inner comfort belt, providing ergonomic support during extended missions.

• Quick-adjusting tether located at the center back, equipped with a stainless steel auto-lock snap hook for secure attachment.

• Adjustable tether length up to 72 inches, allowing flexibility in movement while maintaining safety.

• Available in multiple sizes to accommodate waist measurements from 30" to 50".

Some upgraded versions, like the “Crewman” belt, also include a decelerator system and a double-action locking swivel hook, which reduces the risk of accidental release and enhances safety during dynamic flight conditions

Aircraft Crewmember Safety Belts significantly surpass standard seat belts in both functionality and design. The comparison below highlights the key differences that set them apart in mission-critical environments:

• Purpose & Environment: Standard seat belts (like those used by passengers) are designed primarily for seated restraint during turbulence or impact. Crewmember belts, on the other hand, are built for active use in open-door helicopter operations, where crew may be moving around mid-flight.

• Design & Components: A typical passenger seat belt is a simple lap belt. In contrast, the crewmember belt includes dual MIL-SPEC nylon waist belts, a 5-inch comfort belt, and a quick-adjusting tether with a stainless steel auto-lock snap hook—all engineered for high-stress, high-mobility environments.

• Mobility vs. Restraint: Standard belts restrict movement to keep you seated.

Crewmember belts are designed to allow controlled movement (up to 72 inches of tether length) while keeping the user safely tethered to the aircraft.

• Emergency Egress: Crewmember belts feature double-locking quick-release buckles and sometimes even decelerator systems, enabling rapid escape in emergencies—something standard belts aren’t built for.

• Regulatory Focus: Passenger belts meet FAA requirements for seated safety, while crewmember belts go beyond, addressing mission-critical safety in dynamic, often hazardous conditions3.

So, while your standard seat belt is great for a smooth ride, crewmember belts are more like tactical gear—built for action, not just sitting still.

Aerial Machine & Tool, now part of the Aerial company, is a long-standing provider of aviation survivability solutions, specializing in equipment designed to protect personnel in high-risk environments. With over a century of innovation, they’ve become a trusted name in custom-engineered gear for military and aviation operations, including technical sewing, flotation devices, and emergency breathing systems. Some upgraded versions, like the “Crewman” belt, also include a decelerator system and a double-action locking swivel hook, which reduces the risk of accidental release and enhances safety during dynamic flight conditions

There are several competitors in the aircraft crewmember safety belt space, each offering their own take on restraint systems for aviation environments. Here’s a look at how some of them compare to Aerial Machine & Tool’s belt:

Here's a comparison table highlighting Aerial Machine & Tool’s Aircraft Crewmember Safety Belt alongside some key competitors:

Feature Aerial Machine & Tool

SCHROTH

Safety Products Autoflug GmbH Davis Aircraft Products

Primary Use Tethered mobility for helicopter crewmembers

Multi-point crew restraints

Military-grade restraint + parachute systems

Custom aviation restraints (military/commercial)

Design Focus Quick-release, adjustable tether, ergonomic fit

Crash-tested modular systems

Ergonomic integration with survival gear

Durability and FAA/EASA compliance

Feature Aerial Machine & Tool

SCHROTH

Safety Products Autoflug GmbH Davis Aircraft Products

Tether Length / Mobility

Up to 72 inches of movement

Limited – designed for fixed restraint

Limited – mobility not a primary focus

Varies by configuration

Quick-Release Mechanism

Double-locking buckles, auto-lock snap hook

TSO-certified quick-release

Double-action locking hardware

Standard or enhanced quick-release

Compatibility with Survival Gear

Moderate – gear-agnostic

Moderate – modular components

High – often combined with survival systems

Moderate to high – customizable integration

Strengths Rapid egress, tethered freedom, comfort

High-impact resistance, certification-ready

Full-system survival integration, ergonomic design

Custom builds, rugged reliability

Based on the above market research and Aerial Machine & Tool’s demonstrated history of providing equipment tailored specifically to NAVAIR 13-1-6.5 and other MIL-SPEC requirements, they are the only known vendor capable of meeting the Navy’s stringent crewmember safety belt standards without additional design modifications or compliance risks. As such, Aerial Machine & Tool is uniquely suited to fulfill this requirement in a timely and mission-ready manner.

B. ___ BRAND NAME

Item required must be a brand name, product, or feature of a product, particular to one manufacturer.

C. ___URGENT AND COMPELLING. The supplies or services are of such unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals. Urgent requirements are supplies or services that will result in a work stoppage, or are mission critical and the routine processing time would result in injury to the Government. The determination that the procurement for the above item/service is an urgent and compelling requirement is based on the following:

1. Date on which the requirement was first identified:

2. Required delivery date/period of performance:

3. Explanation of why delivery/commencement of services by the date mentioned above is required: