N6134018C0032_Aechelon_JA_revised20180531_redactedsignatures.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAINING SYSTEMS DIVISION

12211 SCIENCE DRIVE

ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32826-3224

IN REPLY REFER TO:

J&A 18-0270

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWC-TSD), Orlando, FL

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

The Government intends to award a sole source contract to Aechelon PC-NOVA for two (2)

Aechelon PC-NOVA Nucleus Image Generators (IGs) and accompanying hardware suite for two existing United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) flight station simulators used for pilot training in

Mobile Alabama at the USCG flight training center.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This procurement is for two Aechelon PC NOVA Nucleus IGs and accompanying hardware suite that will interface with the existing Coast Guard infrastructure along with the current model database which will be updated with the latest models at the time of contract award. The accompanying hardware suite will include a database RAID, pager node, front end, mission function, sensor render nodes in addition to a nearby instructor operator station, which will be used to upgrade two existing

United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) flight station simulators used for pilot training. This hardware solution will provide the USCG with a higher fidelity image generator for aircraft sensors which will include visual, infrared, electro-optic, and night vision device replication of various ship, aircraft, and human models. In addition, since Aechelon is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the

Coast Guard flight station simulators being upgraded, this solution will maintain compatibility between sensors and visual items of the existing trainers. This hardware solution will allow the

USCG to leverage existing Minotaur software operating system, which is proprietary to Aechelon, and train in an all-in-one low footprint environment while only utilizing a 4U rack space.

The baseline stock databases are already featured many trainers across multiple services in the US

Navy, US Marines, US Army, Special Operation Command, and US Coast Guard in high profile programs such as Poseidon P-8A, Triton BAMS, CH-47F, USSOCOM Combat Mission

Simulators (CMS), US Navy MH-60S, MH-60R, USMC KC-130J, AH-1W Cobras, CH-53E CFTD, CH-53E WSTs, MV-22s, etc.

The funding profile is as follows:

J&A Number: 18-0270

Estimated Dollar Value

FY17 FY17 +1 FY17 +2 Total

OPN $0 $664K $0 $664K

Total $0 $664K $0 $664K

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.

Aechelon PC-NOVA is the sole proprietor of data rights to the Aechelon PC NOVA Nucleus IG system. As such, the Government does not have data rights to the software that runs the trainer systems which are capable of accommodating the hardware needs and size constraints of this system into a single 4U rack. Moreover, the Aechelon PC NOVA Nucleus IG product is proven in their ability to correlate and fuse models to a geographic location that synthesizes track, tactical data link, and sensor information from multiple sources to precisely construct a single integrated picture for each sensor. The requirements for the IGs are similar to many other IGs delivered on numerous programs by Aechelon Technology and do not require additional developmental runtime features.

The USCG is leveraging their existing and future database upgrades off of the Aechelon software to directly import into the Minotaur trainer. In addition, future acquisitions on PC-NOVA IGs that provide better database fidelity will be transferable to other existing systems using PC-NOVA IGs.

The PC-NOVA Nucleus hardware is compatible with all USCG training systems with Aechelon IGs and only operates on Aechelon’s proprietary software. Aechelon as the OEM is able to meet requirements of the USCG with the latest upgrades, utilizing the same visual database, graphics and platform, and be compatible with previous versions until fully developed.

Aechelon Technology currently has over 450 image generators delivered to trainer programs and has an excellent reliability and operational track record. The main approach of Aechelon Technology's proposal is savings and commonality by leveraging pre-existing baselines in terrain databases and moving models in our currently fielded programs, which in most cases will exceed the requirements of this program.

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

The Coast Guard engineering team evaluated many different solutions for the operation flight trainer

(OFT) during the procurement process and maintains an in-depth knowledge of technology, sensor fusion, datalink capability, for inclusion into the real aircraft and trainers. This includes insight into technologies in which individual companies are focused and their technical and production capabilities. The Coast Guard representatives maintain this knowledge through routine review of industry journals and attendance at the annual Training and Simulation Industry Symposium and the annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC). These representatives also periodically visit industry provider facilities for briefings on Independent

Research and Development efforts. Based on its knowledge and expertise, NAWC-TSD has determined that no company currently other than Aechelon has the knowledge and technical capability required to upgrade and maintain the Minotaur trainer.

J&A Number: 18-0270

The proposed contract was synopsized as a Sources Sought Notice on the FEDBIZOPS website on

April 16, 2018 with a five-day response time with no interest expressed by other industry contractors.

On April 20, 2018, the Government issued a Pre-Solicitation notice for this contract that resulted in no responses by industry after fifteen days. No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons stated above. Any responses received prior to contract award will be evaluated by the contracting officer.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The government’s estimated cost for this action is based on the price competitively proposed and accepted under the fair market conditions. Since Aechelon owns and operates the device, the government cannot have an outside contractor modify the PC-NOVA Nucleus for the Minotaur training system without Aechelon’s agreement. Hence, the Contracting Officer will utilize cost and price analysis and a comparison with similar type devices. The government has adequate information and background data available for the basis of negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

The USCG with NAWCTSD continues to be proactive in seeking additional sources for this system.

Information concerning the USCG requirements is announced at the annual Training and Simulation

Industry Symposium held at Wright Paterson Air Force Base and in Orlando, Florida. If another potential source emerges, the Coast Guard and NAWC-TSD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.