18RWS30_J&A_Redacted.pdf

NCH 53.6-2 (MAY 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

CRANE DIVISION

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

300 HIGHWAY 361

CRANE INDIANA 47522-5001

J&A Number: CR-180065 Code: 0242

N00164-18-R-WS30

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, (NSWC) Crane Spectrum Contracting Division, Code 0242.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a contract on a sole source basis for research, development, and integration supporting the project to Vadum Inc., 601 Hutton St, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606-6322.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

The procurement of research, development, and integration for the project. is a Future Naval Capability (FNC) Science & Technology project sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, with the intent to develop that or and automatically respond with an

. In order to meet the requirements of , an emphasis on

, and the establishment of comprehensive testing techniques to evaluate EW capabilities is being pursued.

J&A Number: CR-180065

The warfighter outcome being sought is to provide EW protection against , capability to

, and scalable and modular capability to support additional platforms.

The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel, which is the

FNC Principal Investigator for the Project.

Estimated Dollar Value

FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 Total

RDT&E

APN

$9.67M

*FY24 covers the last 3 months of the 5 year period of performance.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

In accordance with, FAR 6.302-1, Vadum Inc. is the only responsible source which can fulfill the requirement. Vadum Inc. has performed research and development for three years for the project. Two of those years were under the

, a contract that was competitively awarded and subsequently modified to add requirements. In its third year, Vadum is a subcontractor under , a contract that was competitively awarded to Science Applications International Corporation. The R&D performed under said contracts consists of evaluating analyzing applicable , and developing and modifying software that utilizes Machine Learning Algorithms (MLA) that associate those

Furthermore, Vadum has performed research and development for the , with this program being the first to examine the integration of MLAs into an Electronic Warfare (EW) System. Vadum has been performing this effort for the last five years under , and the additional years of expertise, knowledge, and intellectual products developed under the contract have had direct benefit to the programs.

No source other than Vadum Inc. currently has the requisite knowledge and experience to satisfy the agency’s requirements. In accordance with 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(A), it is estimated that the Government will incur an additional to develop another source to a point where the source has an intricate knowledge of the software, source code, threat systems, and integration required that would enable them to further develop the software to completion. This estimate is based on the experiences and knowledge gained from the

, expenses already incurred by the Program, as well as the additional Government and Contractor labor required to bring a new source up to an equal level of expertise as Vadum Inc.

Furthermore, in accordance with 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B), it’s estimated that the Government will incur a schedule delay of 30 months to develop another source, which will result in delaying the release of enhanced

. In addition, if this software is not available on schedule, it will jeopardize efforts being performed by and who are also working on contributions to the Software and Architecture. Each contributor to the effort must complete their efforts concurrently to ensure a successful fielding. Lastly, the

, and if another source were selected it would jeopardize the transition and in funding for that effort.

For the foregoing reasons, Vadum Inc. is the only responsible source with the unique capabilities necessary to perform the required research and development for the project.

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

A request for information/sources sought was posted to the Government Point of Entry, FedBizOpps, on 12 July 2018, stating the Navy’s intention to award a sole-source contract and to see companies with the capabilities to provide research, development, and integration supporting the project. A Synopsis was also posted to FedBizOpps on 8 August 2018. To date, inquiries have not been received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated costs to the Government for the supplies and services covered by the J&A will be fair and reasonable. The contracting office will use cost analysis to determine a fair and reasonable price. Any available information from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) will be utilized to analyze, evaluate, and negotiate based upon detailed cost or pricing data.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

For reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If other potential source(s) emerge, NSWC Crane Division will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(b))

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and its supporting acquisition planning data, including Acquisition Plan No. N/A, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

TECHNICAL COGNIZANCE:

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE:

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

I have determined this justification is legally sufficient.

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12))

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

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

APPROVAL BLOCK (FAR 6.304 for Approving Official)

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Competition Advocate for the Procuring Activity, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

(Competition Advocate)

Signature Name (Print) Date