Redacted_J A_16_0467.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

IN REPLY REFER TO:

J&A_16_0467 J&A_16_0467

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

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

1. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval authorizes and approves the issuance of a firm-fixed-price contract to procure Zodiac Interconnect US (Zodiac) brand name Entraco Sea-FROST (Entraco) Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)/Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) fittings and conduit system parts. The Zodiac Entraco EMI/EMP fittings and conduit system parts are required to support the ongoing maintenance efforts of the Navy’s regional maintenance centers in the various homeports.

1. Description of Supplies/Services.

NAWCAD 4.11.3 has been tasked to perform various repairs aboard U.S. Navy ships, including repairs to flexible conduit systems that support various combat systems. These repairs are made to communication, weapons, navigational, force protection and flight-deck operations systems. In addition to correcting operability and safety concerns, the conduit repairs maintain the ship’s EMI/EMP protection, and decrease the occurrence of corrosion. The conduit repair consists of a weatherproof, flexible conduit system that meets the environmental and EMI/EMP protection standards established by NAVSEA in MIL-PRF-24758A, and must conform to the conduit system brand that is currently installed.

Zodiac’s Entraco fittings and conduit system parts were the only products that were authorized for installation on Arleigh Burke Class (DDG) of guided missile destroyer ships by PEO Theater Air Defense /Surface Combatants in 1998 and on Ticonderoga Class (CG) ships by PEO Theater Surface Combatants in 2001. The Entraco conduit system has been installed on 70 percent of the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) ships during initial construction and is the majority conduit system on all CG ships and the remaining DDG ships.

These repair actions require the purchase of the following parts:

This estimated value of this procurement is below:

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

41 U.S.C. 1901, Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Certain Commercial Items.

1. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

NAVSEA 05W43 (formerly NAVSEA 62E), the technical warrant holder for EMI control, Electromagnetic Capability, EMP and radiation hazards for ships and submarines, conducted a technical review of the test results for MIL-PRF-24758A conduit system product lines from the following three manufacturers:

· Foranne Manufacturing, Inc. Shield Right product line (Foranne)

· Glenair, Inc. MIL-PRF-24758A product line (Glenair)

· Zodiac Interconnect US Entraco Sea-FROST product line (Entraco)

Based on that review, it was NAVSEA 05W43’s assessment that these systems comply with the MIL-PRF-24758A requirements and are considered acceptable for use in EMI/EMP control on U.S. Navy ships. Foranne, Glenair, and Entraco components are not interchangeable, and there is no certified and approved method for interconnection between systems. NAWCAD 4.11.3 only performs repairs on DDG and CG Class ships with the Zodiac Entraco system, so NAWCAD 4.11.3 specifically requires Entraco parts. The use of alternate conduit parts or systems would necessitate the complete replacement of the entire conduit system, which cause the Government to incur a substantial duplication of costs and experience excessive program delays.

The material cost to replace the 400 Entraco conduit systems on a DDG Class ship with an alternate conduit system would take about six (6) months to complete the overhaul at an estimated cost of $233,200. In addition to the expense of the increased labor hours, the additional labor hours means more down time for the affected ship equipment and less possible time periods to schedule the work.

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

A thorough market research was conducted to ascertain if any other vendors offer products that can meet the Government’s requirements. The Government conducted a general internet search on google.com for “EMP fittings” and “conduit systems”. The results of the search found several companies including Zodiac, Glenair and Foranne that provide EMP fittings and conduit systems. The Government also contacted industry experts regarding the interconnect ability of mixed conduit systems aboard Navy ships. Industry experts advised that currently only EMI/EMP fittings and conduit systems that are 100% Glenair, 100% Entraco, or 100% Foranne have been approved by NAVSEA at this time. Mixed conduit systems would need to be submitted to the testing listed in MIL-PRF-24758A. To date, no one has embarked on any qualification testing on the interconnect ability between EMI/EMP fittings and conduit systems from different manufacturers.

Currently, 4.11.3 only repairs conduit systems on Navy ships with the Zodiac Entraco system currently installed. Therefore, only the Zodiac-brand Entraco parts can be procured to meet the Government’s requirements. Zodiac does not sell directly to the Government. After conducting a search for distributors online and contacting Zodiac it was determined JoKell, Inc. and Seacoast Electric Company, Inc. are the only authorized distributors of Entraco parts. Therefore, it is in the Government’s best interest to limit the competitive field to Zodiac’s authorized distributors.

Due to the commercial nature of the required items, their estimated dollar value and the market research performed, NAWCAD intends to issue a combined synopsis/solicitation in accordance with FAR 12.603. No individual synopsis will be posted to FedBizOpps.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that the price negotiated for this acquisition is fair and reasonable. It is the intention of NAWCAD to procure the required Zodiac-brand Entraco system on a limited competition basis between Zodiac’s authorized distributors, as stated above. Normally, in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(2)(i), adequate price competition establishes a fair and reasonable price. However, the Contracting Officer will utilize price analysis in accordance with FAR 15.404-1, including a review of historical data and commercially available price lists, as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons stated above, only Zodiac through its team of authorized distributors can provide the Entraco parts to meet this repair requirement. The Government will continue to monitor industry to determine if any vendors are attempting to qualify their EMI/EMP conduit systems with a focus on interchangeability with other systems aboard U.S. Navy ships, thus creating enhanced competition in the future.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance:

Cecilia Chandler

301-995-8849

Technical

Name

Phone No.

Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

Karin Wiechmann

732-323-7538

Legal

Name (Printed)

Phone No.

Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Eric Waterman

732-323-2559

Contracting Officer

Name

Phone No.

Date

APPROVED

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (Test Program for Certain Commercial Items).

Marybeth Kacek

732-323-2061

Branch Head AIR 2.5.2.4

Name

Phone No.

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