NAVMAR__SSP__JA_-14-G-0040_DO-0001_-_REDACTED.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

IN REPLY REFER TO:

SBIR_14_24340

SBIR_14_24340

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, NJ

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This justification and approval is in support of a twenty-four (24) month Cost Plus Fixed-Fee contract with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation (Navmar), of Warminster, PA for a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract under topics: N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N94-178: Air-Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe; and AF083-006: Low Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The total estimated value of this action is $ dollars and will be funded with FY14 and FY15 Operations and Maintenance, Army (O&MA), Other Procurement, Army (OPA), and Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriations.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

AIR 4.5x Special Surveillance Programs (SSP) has been tasked by the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop advanced sensors (Acoustics, Electro-Optical, Radar, Magnetics, Biographic, Biometric, Behavior, Communication and other special sensors) and systems to support Naval Aviation Missions including Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) mission areas of the US Navy, as well as Naval Warfare Amphibious Strike.

SSP Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) sensors and systems require technology advancements in data processing, mathematical modeling, fusion and exploitation of multi-source sensor data to fulfill mission requirements. This requirement will help SSP provide C4ISR capabilities to HA/DR mission areas. The increasing frequency of natural disasters in the Southeast Asian region requires greater efficiencies and investment in new technology infusion for HA/DR mission sets. This requirement will support technology experiments, demonstrations, assessments, extended evaluations, exercise support and operational use and disaster response in the Southeast Asian Pacific region.

The primary objective of this technology infusion is to build on the strong technology experimentation relationship that has been nurtured over the last several years between the US Pacific Command and the US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Experimentation Center Program. This requirement will provide increased opportunities to better evaluate technologies with our allies in the Southeast Asian tropical environment for warfighter expeditionary HA/DR applications.

The advancement in C4ISR technologies shall serve to enhance communication techniques between the sensors and/or platforms and interfaces; analyze the fusion and exploitation of multi-source sensor data; and develop any other technique to advance capabilities. Under this Phase III follow-on effort, Navmar shall provide research, development, test and evaluation labor for integrating these new techniques into the C4ISR sensors. Navmar shall be responsible for the engineering, integration, system maintenance, repair support, and training needed to fully evaluate and deploy the enhanced sensors. In addition, Navmar shall be responsible for the provision of sufficient assets to exercise support and flight demonstrations of various sensor payload spares & replacements.

This Phase III SBIR effort is a follow on to Phase I and/or Phase II SBIR DoD contracts awarded under Topics N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N94-178: Air-Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe; and AF083-006: Low Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

A competitive SBIR solicitation under the DoD SBIR Topic N08-023 was issued in January 2008 and resulted in the Phase I award to Navmar on 25 April 2008, contract number N68335-08-C-0259. Under that contract, Navmar developed concepts to enable effective deployment of sonobuoy from high altitudes. As a result of the successful development efforts accomplished under Phase I, Navmar was awarded a Phase III contract (N68335-10-G-0026 ) Delivery Order 0001 on 1 September 2010. During Phase III of the Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement (PHASE) SBIR project, Navmar advanced an innovative 3-stage, drag based, single parachute sonobuoy air deployment from a basic concept developed during Phase I to a proven prototype system demonstrated by air drop testing from an airplane. The parachute staging mechanism underwent several design iterations. Reliability and performance were improved after each cycle of design, build and test. In addition to the fixed wing air drop demonstrations, the PHASE hardware, sensors and control software was evaluated in a wind tunnel and during helicopter drop testing. Test units were instrumented to provide critical engineering data and video that was used to inform the next design iteration. In concert with hardware development and testing, Navmar developed a trajectory algorithm capable of in-the-field calculated air release point predictions and large scale stochastic simulations of performance. The Navmar PHASE technology described in this report presents a "snap-in" solution for high altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare. It was developed to be 100% compatible with existing production sonobuoy at minimal added cost. The SBIR Phase III effort resulted in an Office of Naval Research Rapid Innovation Fund contract award of N68335-12-C-0329 awarded 12 August 2012 (in partnership with SeaLandAire Technologies) to mature the technology to a TRL of 8. Working with sonobuoy manufacturer ERAPSCO, PHASE kits have been integrated in a limited run initial production into US Navy SSQ-53F XN-2 Sonobuoy for test and evaluation from a P-3 scheduled for September 2014. Under Phase III of this SBIR Topic N08-023,. C4ISR sensors will be integrated into sonobuoys to provide enhanced data collection and analysis capabilities. The engineering effort will provide the mathematical modeling of the sensors, data fusion, and exploitation of multi-source sensor data, as well as, communication techniques between the sensors and sonobuoy platforms. These advanced capabilities will be deployed to support the HA/DR mission area.

A competitive SBIR solicitation under the DoD SBIR Topic N94-178 Air-Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe was issued in January 1994 and resulted in the award of three separate Phase I awards including the award of contract N62269-95-C-0089 to Navmar on 6 June 1995. As a result of the successful development efforts accomplished under Phase I, two separate Phase II contracts were awarded, including an award to Navmar under contract N00421-97-C-1038 on 2 December 1996. Under the Phase II contract, Navmar provided innovative integration of sensors and an acoustic sensor for enhancing sensor airborne operational performance which included miniature acoustic sensors that provide data fusion of multi parameter information. Navmar developed additional software signal processing techniques for detection and target recognition, as well as miniaturized mechanical designs. Under Phase III of this SBIR Topic N94-178, Navmar will continue to support the development of Air-Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe -related sensors which are capable of providing oceanographic/environmental monitoring in time critical situations. The C4ISR capabilities will be enhanced to provide sensor air, sea, and land clutter and detection models using relevant sensor data. Navmar will develop related analysis software such as motion compensation techniques, digital imaging techniques to improve detection and identification of people and equipment in search and rescue operitions. The imaging sensors will provide improved detection and classification performance by imaging in narrow portions of the spectrum to obtain detailed spectral information about targets of interest. These capabilities will provide ground forces with enhanced tools to support disaster relief efforts.

A competitive SBIR solicitation under DoD SBIR Topic AF083-006, "Low-Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)," was issued in July 2008 and resulted in the award of SBIR Phase I contract FA9451-09-M-0045 on 30 January 2009 to Navmar. As a result of the successful development efforts accomplished under that effort, a Phase III contract N68335-10-G-0026 Delivery Order 0001 was awarded on 1 September 2010 requesting that Navmar develop and improve the Tigershark Unmanned Aerial System. This topic dealt with improving the performance of air vehicles by inserting new technologies into the platform. Some of these technologies include the development of a high-aspect wing with winglets to increase range and payload capabilities; passive noise-reduction components, such as mufflers, quiet-propeller design, and exhaust system tuning; active noise-cancellation techniques; and the use of lightweight carbon-fiber composites in the development of the aircraft fuselage. Under Phase III of this SBIR Topic AF083-006 the Tigershark will be modified to be fitted with pylons. The pylons will be used to carry various air deployable probes and other equipment that are required to support disaster relief efforts. The engineering activity will support the integration, test, and validation of the reconfigured system. These technologies will improve the endurance, payload capacity, or survivability of UAV deployed in support of HA/DR mission sets.

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

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5: Authorized or Required by Statute.

This is an SBIR Phase III award that is derived from, extends, or logically concludes efforts performed under prior SBIR funding agreements.

15 U.S.C 638(r)(1) states:

“In the case of a small business concern that is awarded a funding agreement for Phase I of an SBIR or STTR program, a Federal agency may enter into a Phase III agreement with that business concern for additional work to be performed during or after the Phase II period.”

15 U.S.C. 638(r)(2) :

In this subsection, the term “Phase III agreement” means a follow-on, non-SBIR funded contract that logically derives from extends, or completes efforts made under prior funding agreements in the SBIR program. as described in paragraph 15 U.S.C. 638(e)(4)(C).

Furthermore, 15 U.S.C 638(r)(4) states:

“To the greatest extend practicable, Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole source award, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology.”

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited. The SBIR/STTR programs are structured in three phases. Phase I (project feasibility) determines the scientific, technical, and commercial merit a feasibility of the ideas submitted. Phase II (project development to prototype) is the major research and development effort, funding the prototyping and demonstration of the most promising Phase I projects. Phase III (commercialization) is the ultimate goal of the SBIR/STTR programs. Because the Phase III work for this effort derives from, extends, or completes efforts performed under Phase I and Phase II, use of the authority cited is required.

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

The original topics for this effort were included in the DoD Program Competitive Solicitation issued under the SBIR Program. This action is an exception to the requirement to synopsize required by FAR 5.201. FAR 5.202(a)(7) states, “The Contracting Officer need not submit the notice required by 5.201 when the proposed contract action results from acceptance of a proposal under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-219).”

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that all supplies and services provided under this contract are procured at a fair and reasonable price. The Contractor will submit a formal cost proposal with certified cost or pricing data and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. Navmar's proposal will be reviewed by experienced technical analysts and contract specialists with the aid of necessary field pricing support. The Contracting Officer will utilize cost and price analysis as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

8. Description of Market Research or Statement of the Reason Market Research was not Conducted.

Market Research was not conducted for this effort because this Phase III SBIR effort is a logical follow-on to Phase I and Phase II SBIR contracts under Topics N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N94-178: Air-Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe; and AF083-006: Low Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

9. Any Other Supporting Facts.

Not applicable.

10. Listing of Interested Sources.

Not applicable.

11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

SSP looks for other potential sources by soliciting technical proposals for a broad range of SSP research and development topics through the posting of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled Reconnaissance and Surveillance Payloads, Sensors, Delivery Systems and Platforms. The BAA allows SSP to use a competitive process to evaluate proposals in accordance with the BAA criteria to continually identify and pursue other viable sources that have the ability to meet existing and future program requirements. If another potential source emerges, NAVAIR will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

12. Period of Performance.

Base: 24 Months

Option(s): None

13. Total Estimated Dollar Value of the Acquisition Covered by this J&A, with Funding Specified by Year and Appropriation.

The total estimated value of this action is $ dollars and will be funded with FY14 and FY 15 O&MA and OPA as well as RDT&E appropriations.

14. Actions Attempted to Make Immediate Acquisition Competitive and Cost/Benefit Analysis.

SSP looks for other potential sources by soliciting technical proposals for a broad range of SSP research and development topics through the posting of a BAA, titled Reconnaissance and Surveillance Payloads, Sensors, Delivery Systems and Platforms. The BAA allows SSP to use a competitive process to evaluate proposals in accordance with the BAA criteria to continually identify and pursue other viable sources that have the ability to meet existing and future program requirements.

This Phase III SBIR effort is a logical follow-on to Phase I and Phase II SBIR contracts under Topics N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N94-178: Air-Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe; and AF083-006: Low Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

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