Redacted_J&A.docx

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 & Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a fixed price contract for the procurement of modified Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kits on a sole source basis to Iris Technology Corporation (Iris). The procurement will support the Radio Integration Systems (RIS) Family of Systems (FoS). The period of performance is anticipated to be 120 days.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The NAWCAD Special Communications Missions Solutions Division (AD-4.11.4) has been tasked by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to engineer and deliver a modernized RIS, version 3.0, that includes a modified COTS Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kit. AD-4.11.4 is the Lead System Integrator and the Life Cycle Sustainment Manager for USSOCOM’s Program of Record (PoR) RIS FoS. The RIS FoS are deployable and scalable transit case-based communication suites that support deployed Combatant Commanders. RIS provides initial Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) among deployed Special Operation Forces (SOF) bases, Liaison Office teams, headquarters, and support elements. The RIS system interfaces, enhances, and combines multiple single channel radios into one integrated command and control suite.

The RIS program is undergoing a Capital Equipment Replacement (CER) to upgrade the RIS 2.0 systems to the RIS 3.0 systems which is due to be completed in Fiscal Year (FY) 25. Both the RIS 2.0 and the RIS 3.0 are currently fielded, and each system is required to be interoperable with the other, as RIS variants are used interchangeably in the field during a CER. The RIS 3.0 system provides enhanced capabilities and a significantly smaller footprint, making the system more effective at supporting the ever changing nature of SOF user needs. The latest generation RIS 3.0 redesign includes the Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kit that’s incorporated into the existing communications system to increase capabilities and reliability by providing power to back up the system radios and amplified speakers, as well as the capability to charge additional batteries. The modified COTS Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kits are required to provide battery backup to critical system components while meeting the maximum requirements for dimension and weight. When used as a battery charger, the Iris battery charger/power manager can charge man-pack batteries while receiving input power.

The Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kits are required to have three outputs for cables that will connect to the integrated Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP) solution, the system’s speakers, and radios. The integrated Iris battery charger/power manager solution has two customized battery charger/power manager kits to meet the requirements for two variants of the RIS FoS transit cases. The first kit (part number 78535-107397-1) for the RIS High Frequency Transit Case includes one modified battery charger/power manager kit, one modified RoIP cable, and one modified radio 16” speaker with a 40” cable. The second kit (part number 78535-107398-1) for the RIS Multi-Band Radio Transit Case includes one modified battery charger/power manager kit, one modified RoIP cable, and two modified radio 16” speakers with 40” cables.

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

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

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The requested Iris battery charger/power manager is the only known solution which meets the unique combination of requirements for dimension, weight, setup, cable lengths, charging man pack batteries, hot swapping batteries, and full ruggedization. Each transit case was previously designed for the physical configuration of the Iris battery charger/power manager to allow mounting within the limited space available in each transit case (11.25" L x 2.0" W x 3.5" H). The overall case weight of the systems must be less than 175 pounds, and the maximum weight allocated for the Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kit is five pounds. The Iris battery charger/power manager meets the weight requirement in the limited space with a two pound margin of safety. Additionally, Iris has manufactured modified cable lengths included with the battery charger/power manager kits to meet the length requirements for two variants of the RIS FoS transit cases. Furthermore, the Iris battery charger/power manager meets the tactical requirement for a sleep mode and audible alarm switch and is fully ruggedized to meet MIL-STD-810G. The charger/power manager power distribution and battery backup are performed automatically, limiting the amount of user interaction needed to operate the unit, which reduces training requirements and increases the effectiveness of the system in a tactical environment. The Iris battery charger/power manager provides users with notification the unit is running on battery and an audible notification when the unit loses input power, allowing for a rapid identification of the issue for troubleshooting purposes. The Iris battery charger/power manager also has the capabilities of battery hot swapping and battery charging. No other solutions provide this unique combination of requirements.

If an alternative tactical battery charger/power manager kit is selected for this requirement, the Government will incur significant costs for hardware replacement, testing, and document revisions. Any change in the selected Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager solution would require the replacement of the kits integrated in the previously fielded RIS 3.0 systems. The integrated Iris battery charger/power managers were previously procured on sole source contracts N68335-17-C-0143, N68335-17-C-0649, N00421-18-P-0379, and N00421-19-P-0086. Additional duplicative costs would be incurred for testing. As a part of the accredited system, the Iris battery charger/power manager underwent significant cybersecurity tests, which would have to be repeated if an alternate product were integrated into the RIS 3. Furthermore, the existing Authority to Operate (ATO) obtained 4 November 2016 includes the required Iris battery charger/power managers. Documentation revisions would be required for the training support package, ATO, and technical manuals.

Selecting an alternative battery charger/power manager solution will also impact the deployment schedule by causing a production delay of the RIS 3.0. Delaying production and subsequent fielding of RIS 3.0 systems will impact the ongoing CER and cause a schedule delay. Anticipated delays include time to complete a redesign of the RIS 3.0 and to complete the necessary testing to accredit the system. Any delays with the fielding of the RIS 3.0 to SOF will jeopardize the ability for SOF to initiate and maintain critical communications. The RIS FoS provides mission essential C4I capabilities in a given area of operational responsibility, and the RIS FoS provides radio base station capabilities to local users, providing the main C4I capability during a given mission. The RIS also provides access for radios, and the users operating them, into the larger USSOCOM enterprise, expanding the communications capabilities of both end users in the field and command elements at remote locations. If systems are not interoperable during a mission, centralized C4I capabilities are affected and remote command elements and local users are unable to effectively communicate. Furthermore, the RIS 2.0 systems in the field will no longer be repaired or provided replacement parts in the event of equipment failure. This could cause a potential gap in C4I capabilities that could potentially lead to mission failure or loss of life.

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

Market research was conducted using google.com to identify potential solutions, and one manufactured solution by Protonex Technology Corporation was found and reviewed to determine compliance with the requirements. Protonex Technology Corporation’s solution was rejected as a potential source because it required the use of multiple cables to connect to each type of radio. Increasing the number of required cables would consequently increase the complexity of system integration. Also, the Protonex Technology Corporation’s solution did not provide an audible alarm nor did it meet system requirements for setup.

Further market research was conducted via General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage and PubLog FLIS for the requested Merlin-2 tactical battery charger/power manager kits. The search via the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) PubLog FLIS yielded no results. GSA Advantage yielded no results for the Iris Technology solution. Although Iris has a GSA contract (GS-21F-0044W, ending: 15 December 2019), the required solution is not available through their GSA Contract. Iris Technology has no authorized distributors for their battery charger/power manager kits. A search via the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) V website yielded no results.

A request for Information (RFI) for a battery charger/power manager system was posted on 05 March 2019 with a response date of 12 March 2019. No inquiries were received. In accordance with FAR 5.201, this procurement was synopsized on Federal Business Opportunities on 10 May 2019 and closed on 27 May 2019. No inquiries or challenges were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer shall ensure that the price negotiated for this acquisition is fair and reasonable IAW FAR 15.4. An independent government estimate has been provided for this effort. The Contractor will submit a formal price proposal with other than certified cost or pricing data and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. The proposal will be reviewed by experienced technical personnel at AD-4.11.4 and the Contract Specialist. The Contracting Officer will utilize cost and price analysis IAW FAR 15.404-1, including a review of historical data and commercial price lists, as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in paragraph 5, at this time, Iris is the only known manufacturer that meets tactical and environment standards within the confines of the existing infrastructure of the RIS 3.0 FoS. The RIS program and AD-4.11.4 will continue to monitor the market for technological advances that may drive changes to the system design, and potentially increase competition. If a candidate emerges during the solicitation phase, other manufacturers can be considered and evaluated, however, they must comply with all form-fit-function standards detailed within the PoR accreditation.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

LAKEHURST, NJ

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