N10426Q7037_Redacted.pdf

J&A No. N10426Q7037

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC) Norfolk

2. Description of the Action Being Approved: Award of a purchase order on a sole source basis to the sole authorized distributor of Propulsion Systems Incorporated (PSI) brand controllable pitch propeller (CPP) parts. PSI is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) representative for the CPP system.

PSI has access to the required drawings, manuals, and technical knowledge to supply the proper CPP flange assemblies, as the authorized distributor, for the upcoming availability for the USNS GRASP

(T-ARS 51).

3. Description of Supply Services: Provide PSI CPP flange assemblies for the USNS GRASP (T-ARS

51) to ensure the items are available for the necessary repair periods. The estimated dollar value is which will be funded utilizing fiscal year 2026 Operations and Maintenance, Navy (O&M, N), funds.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1)

Brand Name requirement, and no other brand name supplies, will satisfy the agency requirements.

5. 5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Authority: MSC requires these parts from PSI, the OEM source, to be delivered by the required delivery date to ensure this work can be completed during upcoming availabilities for the USNS GRASP (T-ARS 51). This will ensure the vessel maintains operational status and ensures the USNS GRASP (T-ARS 51) is able to complete all missions as required. PSI is the OEM, and these flange assemblies are a direct replacement for the current flange assemblies installed on the USNS GRASP (T-ARS 51). MSC maintains both current, but also class configuration by using this one-to-one replacement of the flange assemblies as these are direct replacements. This ensures if the vessel requires immediate replacement the USNS GRASP (T-ARS

51) can provide the exact item for replacement. PSI sells direct to the Government and does not allow for other vendors to provide quotation on their OEM items. This type of equipment is operation of a key readiness system, including, damage controllable, firefighting capability and safety equipment, restricting the ship to port, unable to perform its required missions; (2) Safety Management Systems (SMS) number 10.6-002-ALL lists the propulsion and mission and safety systems including the OEM parts described here as critical equipment; (3) MSC is directed to only use OEM parts on this equipment aboard MSC Fleet Vessels per COMSCINST 4490.4; (4) regulatory bodies such as United States Coast Guard and ABS only recognize servicing and repairs of this type of shipboard equipment by an authorized OEM representative. In addition, the OEM has access to software and technical data / drawings from the original manufacturer, as required to properly repair and maintain the equipment. Although no substitutes are known, MSC does not have the manufacturing and technical information required to evaluate and determine whether non-OEM components and replacement parts offered are equivalent to OEM components and replacement parts. Regardless, this is proprietary information, and the Government did not acquire rights in this data.

J&A No. N10426Q7037

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable: A sources sought was posted on January 9, 2026, until January 23, 2026, and one answer was received. MSC perpetually seeks submissions from non-OEM contractors for consideration of qualification of their parts and/or services as an acceptable alternative to the OEM at https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Business- Opportunities/Contracts/Qualification-for-Items-Critical-to-Shipboard-Safety-on-MSC-Vessels/. The Government intends to post a combined synopsis and solicitation notice along with this justification at the Government Point of Entry with the intent of awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to PSI upon submission of a technically acceptable quote.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Removed Barriers to Future Competition: For reasons set forth in paragraph 5, MSC has no plans at this time to allow for non-OEM suppliers in future contracts or purchase orders for the types of supplies covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, MSC will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.