Navmar_JA_14-G-0040_SOCOM_DO-0002_REDACTED.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

IN REPLY REFER TO:

SBIR_14_24347

N68335-13-C-0301

SBIR_14_24347

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE III JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

Department of the Navy, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Lakehurst, NJ

2. Nature/Description of Action(s) 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, of Warminster, PA for a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract under topics: N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N92-170: LADAR Identification Demonstration; 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 & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriations.

3. Description of Supplies/Service

AIR 4.5x Special Surveillance Programs (SSP) has been tasked by Department of Defense (DoD) to develop advanced sensors (Acoustics, Electro-Optical, Radar, Magnetics, Biographic, Behavior, Communication and other special sensors) and systems to support Naval Aviation Missions including Air-Under-Sea Warfare, Airborne Strike, Air Warfare, Counter-Air, Close Air Support and Interdiction, Defense Suppression, Electronic Attack, Naval Special Warfare Strike, and Anti-Surface Warfare for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

This requirement will develop, test, and evaluate advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and provide enhanced surveillance capabilities to the deployed Warfighter that can be integrated into existing naval platforms to support SOCOM activities. These advanced capabilities include technology developments in noise reducing technology, submersible technology, and related support hardware that when combined, will extend the range and performance of surveillance platforms and provide an enhanced low observable/low probability of detection capability. The contractor will perform the assessment of interoperability of airborne and waterborne techniques to support SOCOM operations; provide sufficient assets to exercise support and flight demonstrations (CONUS and OCONUS) of various sensor payload spares & replacements and provide for direct support of the operations, maintenance and logistics requirements of an operational OCONUS detachment conducting round-the-clock surveillance within regions of interest around the globe. This effort provides for RDT&E sensors, platforms, sensor data processing and sensor systems, mathematical modeling of the sensor, communication techniques between the sensors and/or platforms, interfaces, the fusion and exploitation of multi-source sensor data and any other technique to develop advanced capabilities and to reduce the cost of transitioning sensor technologies to the Warfighter.

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, N92-170 LADAR Identification Demonstration, and AF083-006 Low-Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

A competitive SBIR solicitation under 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-C-0026) Delivery Order 0001 on 1 September 2010. During Phase II 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 were 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 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. Under Phase III of this SBIR Topic N08-023, Navmar will continue to develop and integrate additional capabilities to equip the sonobuoys with specialized sensors that provide the appropriate signal strengths for pinpoint target detection, identification, and tracking. These technologies will enable the integration of sensor data in developing concepts of operations to support SOCOM low observable/low probability of detection ISR capabilities from SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV). This effort will also evaluate and test the suitability of ISR sensors to perform open water operation, to detect and identify targets under operational tactical conditions, and to operate at survivable stand-off ranges.

A competitive SBIR solicitation under DoD SBIR Topic N92-170 was issued in January 1992 and resulted in the Phase I contract N62269-94-C-0002 on 04 November 1993 to Navmar. Under that contract, Navmar developed technologies such as Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR), Electro-Optics (EO), and acoustics. As a result of the successful development efforts accomplished under Phase I, Navmar was awarded a Phase II contract, N62269-95-C-0187, on 29 September 1995. Navmar developed expertise under the Phase I contract that enabled it to meet new sensor system requirements during Phase II. Under the same SBIR topics, Navmar developed principle ISR sensor technologies that substantially improved the detection, acquisition, classification, tracking, and localization of targets of interest, including the following: high resolution imagery; LADAR; more sensitive EO components such as focal plan arrays; Radio Frequency target detection; miniaturization of sensor and processing systems; precision target identification; acoustic sensor arrays; data fusion techniques; and automatic target recognition algorithms. This sensor technology has been applied to acoustic, non-acoustic, and seismic sensors for remote surveillance and target classification. Under the Phase III award for SBIR Topic N92-170, Navmar will continue to expand and transition the high precision capacity of LADAR sensor technology into modern counterinsurgency situations. The capabilities in optical signal processing and unique antennas will be further developed and applied to target detection techniques to support SOCOM operations. This requirement will enable the enhancement of moving target detection techniques to facilitate tracking targets moving at high speed. The sensor technologies, and target identification techniques developed will be applied to acoustic, non-acoustic and seismic sensors needed for remote surveillance and target classification.

A competitive SBIR solicitation under DoD SBIR Topic AF083-006, "Low-Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle," 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 Phase I, a Phase III contract N68335-10-G-0026 was awarded on 1 July 2010 requesting that Navmar develop and improve the Tigershark Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). 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 award for SBIR Topic AF083-006, Navmar will perform modeling, simulation, and analysis to identify the Tigershark UAS flight dynamics or operational problems created by the integration of noise quieting techniques and different ISR and communication payloads, specifically in the areas of aerodynamics, flight performance, weight distribution, system communication, power consumption, and reliability. Navmar will also perform modeling, simulation and analysis of the Seal Delivery Vehicle ISR Mast performance and performance enhancements in the areas of advanced Infrared coatings, thermal characteristics, and effects of the environment on the total system performance.

4. Identification of Statutory Authority.

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

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

“In the case of a small business concern that is awarded a funding agreement for Phase II 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 extent practicable, Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole source awards, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology.”

5. Demonstration that Proposed Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of Acquisition Requires Use of Authority Cited.

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 and 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 Ensure Offerors Were Solicited From as Many Potential Sources as Practicable/ Public Notification through Government Point of Entry (GPE).

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 FAR 5.201 synopsis requirement. 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, cost 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 N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N92-170: LADAR Identification Demonstration; 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: Twenty-four (24) Months

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 O&MA, FY14 and FY15 OPA and 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 N08-023: Precision High Altitude Sonobuoy Emplacement; N92-170: LADAR Identification Demonstration; and AF083-006: Low-Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

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