Redacted_J&A.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

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. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval authorizes and approves the issuance of a firm fixed price contract for the procurement of AR Kalmus Corp. (doing business as AR Modular RF) brand name fifty (50) watt (W) radio frequency (RF) multi-band amplifiers. The procurement will support the Radio Integration Systems (RIS) Family of Systems (FoS). The period of performance is anticipated to be twenty (20) weeks. This procurement will be a limited competitive action between the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), AR Modular RF, and its authorized distributors.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs (including estimated value).

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 multi-band amplifier. 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 and Liaison Office teams to SOF, SOF headquarters, and SOF support elements.

The RIS system interfaces, enhances, and combines multiple single channel radios into one integrated Command and Control (C2) 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 AR Modular RF brand name amplifier.

The amplifier is utilized in the RIS to boost the power of the transmitter and antenna, increase communications reliability, and support both narrowband and wideband waveforms. The amplifier reduces the size and weight of the RIS while improving the power of the entire RIS system. Additionally, the amplifier is capable of operating in austere working environments in which the RIS is deployed, where temperatures, weather conditions and environmental hazards may adversely affect operations. The amplifier is capable of operating using the Integrated

Waveform (IW) and has a Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) Certification to meet the requirement for access to the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communications

(SATCOM) network. The 50W RF multi-band amplifier also meets both electrical and physical requirements for the RIS program, and it is compliant with Department of Defense (DoD) standards for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests MIL-STD-810, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) MIL-STD-461, as well as Joint Interoperability Test

Certification (JITC) for IW with the AN/PRC-117G radio used by USSOCOM and SOF.

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

6.302-1(c) Acquisition for Brand Name

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

There are currently over ninety (90) RIS 3.0 systems fielded with the requested AR Modular RF brand name 50W multi-band amplifiers, which provide a unique combination of prior approvals and features for use in the RIS FoS. The combination of prior approvals includes Data

Management Association (DAMA) Certification, Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) certification, as of February 22, 2018, and cyber-security accreditation, obtained November 4, 2016 as part of the RIS FoS Authority to Operate (ATO). The AR Modular brand name amplifier 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 and as well as the SOF fielded AN/PRC-117G radios. The currently fielded RIS systems have integrated amplifiers previously procured from AR Modular on contracts N00421-

19-F-0086, N00421-18-P-0446, N68335-17-F-0227, N68335-17-P-0024, and N00421-14-P-

0109.

The utilization of the AR Modular RF brand name 50W RF multi-band amplifier in the RIS 3.0 allows for a combined sustainment and sparing strategy with the RIS 2.0 while preventing the

Government from incurring irrecoverable duplicative costs or experiencing schedule delays.

If an alternative amplifier is selected for this requirement, the Government will incur significant, duplicative costs. The AR Modular RF brand name 50W RF multi-band amplifiers were previously procured on contracts N00421-19-F-0086, N00421-18-P-0446, N68335-17-F-0227, N68335-17-P-0024, and N00421-14-P-0109. If an alternative amplifier product were selected the

Government would incur duplicative costs for testing, updating operations manuals and training package documentation and design modification.

In addition to duplicative costs, selecting an alternate solution would cause the RIS program to incur an unacceptable 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 (AOR), 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, as the CER progresses, delays will leave RIS 2.0 systems in the field that cannot be repaired or for which replacement parts cannot be provided. As equipment failures occur, without a RIS 3.0 to replace the failed RIS 2.0, the SOF will not be able to maintain effective

C4I capabilities, potentially leading to mission failure and loss of life.

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

Market research was conducted to identify commercially available 50W RF amplifiers compatible with the RIS FoS. The search resulted in finding manufacturers of this type of equipment such as AR Modular RF, Tactical Support Equipment, Inc., and Ultralife

Corporation. However, only equipment from AR Modular RF will meet the requirements.

GSA Advantage was searched by the required part number. It was found that the amplifier is available on GSA through the manufacturer AR Modular RF (Contract GS-07-F472AA, ending 31 May 2023) as well as through open market, authorized third-party vendors. To become an authorized third-party vendor, AR Modular RF requires resellers provide an authorization from the Government for each procurement to show that the Government authorizes the specified reseller to provide the AR Modular RF item. AR Modular RF confirmed that any prime vendor on the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Tailored Logistics

Support (TLS) program has already been approved to resell AR Modular RF’s equipment.

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. and W.S. Darley & Co. were identified as prime vendors on the

DLA TLS program, and pricing was requested from both companies. A search was conducted via the NASA SEWP V website to identify any resellers of the required equipment. SEWP Market Research Request 112676 was submitted. The request resulted in no responses.

In accordance with FAR 5.201, this procurement was synopsized on the FedBizOpps website on 9 May 2019 and closed on 24 May 2019. No inquiries or challenges were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.305(a)(1), competition establishes price reasonableness. Therefore, when contracting on a firm-fixed basis, comparison of the proposed prices will usually satisfy the requirements to perform a price analysis, and a cost analysis need not be performed. In addition, Certified Cost or Pricing Data is not required in accordance with FAR 15.403(c) (1)(i).

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

At this time, AR Modular RF is the only known manufacturer that offers a product which meets the RIS PoR requirements. The RIS program and SCMS 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 with the Program of Record accreditation.