Sole_Source_ARA_Antennas_PR.docx

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION ULM-4 EWTS Transmit and Receive Antennas

PR 1300491361

Vendor & Requirement

Sole Source procurement of ULM-4 Electronic Warfare Test Set (EWTS) transmit and receive reflector antennas, from Antenna Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is in support of the spares requirement which allows the SESEF program to maintain a very high availability for Fleet users. The ULM-4 EWTS is the primary Test and Evaluation (T&E) System at SESEF which is used to conduct periodic maintenance of US Navy Electronic Warfare (EW) Combat and Support Systems onboard Fleet assets. The periodic testing is required by the US Navy Preventative Maintenance System (PMS) guidelines and is governed by the Commander Naval Surface Forces (COMNAVSURFOR) War Fighting Improvement Program 115F (WFIP 115F) instruction.

Governments Minimum Requirements/Salient Characteristics:

Testing in accordance with (IAW) PMS, WFIP-115, and the requirements of JF12-10647, as governed by the Military Communications Electronics Board (MCEB), must be met at all SESEF sites. If different antennas are obtained the MCEB certification and Authority to Operate (ATO) will be null and the SESEF facility will have to undergo a 12 to 18 month certification process. This delay would have an immediate impact on the availability of Fleet resources for critical needs.

Why no other vendors meet the Government Minimum requirements

Only one configuration of equipment has been completely certified which meets the testing requirements of WFIP 115F, PMS and the MCEB. The MCEB has issued the ATO, which then allows SESEF to apply to the Navy Marine Corps Spectrum Office (NMCSO) for permission to radiate (i.e. transmit RF signals). NMCSO allocates frequency assignments based on the ATO as provided by the MCEB. Without a valid MCEB ATO, NMCSO cannot allocate frequencies for use by SESEF T&E Systems. Therefore, if for any reason the MCEB authorization is nullified (e.g. by not adhering to the approved system configuration) NMCSO frequency allocations are revoked, and the associated SESEF T&E System is rendered inoperable.

Why only one source:

In order to maintain the existing ULM-4 EWTS MCEB certification the T&E System must be identical to that which was originally tested by MCEB. If the MCEB certification is voided for any reason, the ATO will be invalidated and NMCSO will not allow the SESEF location to radiate.

Per the MCEB regulations, if any component different from what was originally certified is installed at a SESEF location, the certification is voided (as is the ATO) and a new certification process must be started for the new configuration. Recertification of the full ULM-4 EWTS would be performed by the MCEB and is a process that will take 12 – 18 months, at a cost of approximately $500K, to complete once it can be scheduled. If certification is not maintained at the SESEF sites, the adverse impact on Fleet certifications, Fleet availability and Fleet movements will be critical.

Previous Purchases

ARA, Inc. is the only source of the certified transmitter and receiver antenna units. ARA does not provide sales via distributors. Until such time as the MCEB regulations are in some way modified, the limitations placed on SESEF by the MCEB certification restricts the Government from seeking other sources.