JA_synopsis.doc

J&A_2016_0194

J&A_2016_0194

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Lakehurst, NJ

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This justification and approval authorizes and approves a limited competition between Red Barn Machine Inc. of Eugene, OR and Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. of Fort Worth, TX. The fixed price, five (5) year, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract is for the manufacture and delivery of various Peculiar Support Equipment (PSE). This procurement will provide various PSE to meet the requirements for MQ-8C Unmanned Aircraft Systems to support testing requirements, Operational Evaluation, and MQ-8C site stand-ups.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This acquisition is for the manufacture and delivery of the following MQ-8C PSE in the base year: Lateral Rigging Tool, P/N 407-201-303-101 / RBT400353, minimum quantity 2, maximum quantity 14; Longitudinal Rigging Tool, P/N 407-201-304-101 / RBT400354, minimum quantity 2, maximum quantity 14; Hub Support, P/N 407-210-001-101 / RBT18522, minimum quantity 12, maximum quantity 20; Puller Assembly, P/N 407-240-013-101 / RBT400229, minimum quantity 2, maximum quantity 14; Driveshaft Tool Set, p/n SKSP1425-501 / RBBP1425-101, minimum quantity 12, maximum quantity 14. Four (4) additional ordering periods will be included. Each of the ordering periods will include a maximum quantity of 12 each for the above PSE.

(Part numbers are listed as Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. part number / Red Barn Machine Inc. part number).

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

10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. is the original designer, developer, and manufacturer of the PSE. As such, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. has the requisite knowledge, technical data, and technical expertise to fulfill the requirement. The PSE was specifically designed and developed to support the commercial Bell helicopter, Bell 407. Leveraging the existing commercial inventory, MQ-8C has been undergoing maintenance utilizing the above commercial PSE.

Technical data is required to allow alternate sources to manufacture the PSE items with the proper configuration to interface with aircraft, and to ensure that the PSE items are manufactured with the correct dimensions, standards, materials, and processes to safely and effectively perform the required maintenance functions. The Government does not possess a sufficient level of rights in the technical data to support a full and open competitive solicitation for the PSE. Red Barn procured the technical data for Bell’s direct replacement tools and subsequently developed their own drawings. As a result, in addition to Bell Helicopter, Red Barn Machine Inc. is able to manufacture the required MQ-8CPSE under its own part numbers. As a result, Bell Helicopter and Red Barn Machine Inc. are currently the only two sources between which the current requirement can be competed.

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

Market research was conducted through various methods to obtain availability and price information. A Request for Information was posted to FEDBIZOPPS on 5 April 2016; however, no responses were received. The proposed contract was also synopsized on the FEDBIZOPPS website on 9 May 2016 and did not receive responses. Market Research was also performed utilizing internet search engines. Market research identified Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. and Red Barn Machine Inc. as the only sources for the above PSE.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The negotiation and establishment of a fair and reasonable price will be conducted in accordance with FAR 15.4. As stated in FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall purchase all supplies and services at a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

The MQ-8C’s PSE requirements will be evaluated by the Program on an on-going basis and NAWCAD will continue to assess and pursue opportunities for competition.