JA 23-0203 - WISC 2 -- dtd 6 Sep 2023_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND

RADM W ILLIAM A. MOFFETT BUILDING

47123 BUSE ROAD BLDG 2272

PATUXENT RIVER MARYLAND 20670 -1547

IN REPLY REFER TO

J&A_23-0203

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Headquarters

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a sole-source, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to The Boeing Company (Boeing).

The purpose of this IDIQ is to procure follow-on weapons integration services to support the implementation of United States Navy (USN) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) F/A-18 and EA-18G upgrades to software and ancillary hardware. This IDIQ contract is anticipated to cover a five-year ordering period covering calendar years 2024 through 2028.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This contract is for the procurement of test, analysis, and engineering services required to integrate various external stores and Alternate Mission Equipment (AME) onto F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft for both USN and FMS integration efforts. Potential weapon systems integrations or updates for USN and FMS include, but are not limited to, the following:

J&A 23-0203

Integration efforts must be completed prior to the software and hardware being released for Operational Testing (OT). The deliverables for these efforts will include, but are not limited to engineering analysis, test benches, hardware modifications, and weapons replaceable assemblies test assets, software models, Configuration Data Sets (CDS) for Universal Armament Interface (UAI) weapons, non-recurring engineering change proposals, and studies.

The CDS is the set files that specifically characterize any UAI weapon. With UAI, the concept is to develop a general-purpose "every-weapon" interface. The interface will be configurable and “data -driven.” The single broad, all-purpose interface could be tuned to match the capabilities and limitations of each weapon. The tuning would be achieved via one or more Configuration Data Files (CDFs) that together define a CDS. Other anticipated deliverables include system improvement and demonstration products such as proposed prototypes, pre-production products, support equipment enhancements or simulations, and models of weapons systems.

Efforts will be included for analysis of requirements definition and correction of anomalies in software or hardware identified after release to the Government for OT of the potential weapon systems integrations or updates for USN and FMS included above. Support requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: weapon, store, and aircraft analyses: fit and mechanical function, flight loads, noise and vibration, strength, carrier suitability, ground loads, flying qualities flutter, store separation and jettison, electrical loads, mass properties, and performance. Other efforts will include studies and analyses that will require Boeing to investigate future capabilities, provide analysis of alternatives, and deliver documentation.

The estimated ceiling of the IDIQ contract is , which consists of one (1), five (5) year ordering period. NAVAIR intends to use FY 24-28 Research Development Test & Evaluation and FY 24-28 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) for orders executed against the IDIQ contract, as delineated in the table below.

Note: The USN funding will be shared between the F/A-18 and EA-18G platforms.

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

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Boeing is the original equipment manufacturer, sole designer, developer, integrator, and supplier of all F/A-18 and EA-l8G aircraft. Additionally, Boeing is the sole repository for the engineering design and software development expertise of weapons integration and all tactical software and integration of the avionics to the aircraft weapon system. Boeing is the only source that has the unique combination of airframe and weapons system integration knowledge needed to perform the required mission support, which ensures compatibility between software and aircraft systems due to the ongoing changes, upgrades, and system enhancements to production aircraft.

The Government would not expect to recover the costs to stand-up a new source and acquire the necessary equipment to support these requirements through competition, and does not have the appropriate data rights to support full and open competition. As a result, Boeing is the only source that can satisfy the agency’s requirement.

Per FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(A), for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition.

Based on the costs for platform integration and the necessary equipment to support the requirements, the NAVAIR Cost Department estimates the costs to stand-up an alternate source for just one of the complex weapons are in excess of in then-year 2023 (TY23) dollars. This estimate is based on historical data for previous, analogous integration efforts; it includes the costs of special tooling, test equipment, and instrumentation. The breakout of the in duplication of costs consists of for platform integration; for special tooling and test equipment; and for airborne telemetry equipment in TY23$.

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

Pursuant to Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 206.302-1, a sources sought notice was posted to https://sam.gov on 5 June 2023. No responses were received.

This requirement was synopsized on https://sam.gov on 21 June 2023 in accordance with FAR 5.201(b) specifically stating the Government’s intent and rationale to contract sole-source with Boeing. To date, no source has expressed interest in the effort or challenged the Government’s stated intent to award the contract on a sole-source basis to Boeing. Prior to contract award, the Procuring Contracting Officer will evaluate any future from interested sources.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

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

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For reasons set forth in paragraph five, NAVAIR has no plans at this time to compete future requirements for the types of services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAVAIR will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

As this is a follow-on for services previously awarded on a non-competitive basis, in accordance with DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(i), the prior J&A (19-0338) was provided to the approval authority for review. Approval of this J&A signifies the approval authority has made the determination required by DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(ii).

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL