Redacted_J&A.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

LAKEHURST, NJ

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 authorizes and approves on a sole sources basis, the issuance of a firm fixed price contract for the procurement of High Frequency (HF) antennas, 10m masts, and T-bar adapters to C&S Antennas, Inc. (C&S). The procurement will support the Radio Integration Systems (RIS) Family of Systems (FoS).

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 an integrated HF antenna, mast, and T-bar adapter. AD-4.11.4 is the Lead System Integrator and the Life Cycle Sustainment Manager for USSOCOM’s Program of Record (PoR) 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. 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 C&S antenna, 10m mast, and T-bar adapters. RIS 3.0’s objective is to reduce size, weight, and power from the previous RIS 2.0 systems, while increasing system capabilities. The C&S antenna, mast, and T-bar will be incorporated into the RIS to provide small form factor modular HF communication capabilities in potentially austere environments. The RIS requires a HF antenna that meets MIL-STD 810G and allows for communications with Near Vertical Incident Skywave, Omnidirectional, and Directional radio waves that cover short (0-150 km), medium (150-800 km), and long (800+ km) range anywhere in the world. The HF antenna is also required to have the ability to be erected within 30 minutes. The 10m antenna mast is required to withstand hurricane force winds, extreme cold or heat, and dry or tropical conditions. The mast is also required to be capable of deploying to meet strength, low weight, and rigidity requirements. The T-bar adapter is required to allow different antenna types supported by RIS 3.0 systems to be mounted to the 10m antenna mast.

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.

There are currently over 90 RIS 3.0 systems fielded with the requested C&S HF antennas, 10m masts, and T-bar adapters, which provide a unique combination of prior approvals and features for use in the RIS FoS. The combination of prior approvals includes Joint Interoperability Test Command certification, and cyber-security accreditation, as part of the RIS FoS Authority to Operate (ATO). The C&S equipment is the only solution which meets the operational requirements for the deployed SOF operators in the field as it specifically works in conjunction with other equipment designed into the RIS system. The fielded antennas, masts, and T-bars were previously procured from C&S.

If an alternative solution is selected for the RIS 3.0 system, the Government will incur significant duplicative costs. The Government would be required to replace currently fielded hardware and repeat system accreditation testing. In addition, the ATO documentation would require revisions. The additional documentation revisions would also be required for the training support package.

Selecting an alternative antenna and mast solution would 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. 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 performed using google.com to identity potential solutions, and several manufacturers of similar equipment were found; however, only the equipment offered from C&S will maintain commonality and interoperability with systems in the field. Moreover, no commercial solutions were found that meet the requirements for the RIS PoR.

Further market research was conducted via the General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage and Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Public Logistics (PubLog) Federal Logistics Information Services (FLIS) websites for the required antenna, mast, and T-bar adapter. The search via the DLA PubLog FLIS yielded insufficient stock availability. GSA Advantage yielded no results. A search via the National Aeronautics Space Administration Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement V website revealed that the requested items are available; however, none of the resellers are authorized to resell the requested equipment. Therefore, this procurement should be limited to C&S, the original equipment manufacturer.

A Request for Information for an HF antenna, 10m mast, and T-bar adapter system was posted. Four responses to the Government’s inquiry for information were received. However, only C&S can provide the required antennas, masts, and T-bar adapters that meet program needs and are compatible with currently deployed system technology. In Accordance With (IAW) FAR 5.201, this procurement was synopsized on Federal Business Opportunities. One inquiry was received. The contractor was found technically unacceptable and did not meet the requirement. The PCO notified the contractor.

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 Subpart 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, C&S 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.

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