DMR Components Justification.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION LAKEHURST

ROUTE 547

JOINT BASE MDL NEW JERSEY 08733

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 (J&A) authorizes and approves, on a sole sources basis, a Firm- Fixed-Price contract with Werlatone, Inc. (Werlatone) to procure 60 Digital Modular Radio (DMR) Components that support the production of Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) DMR components for the AN/SRC-66(V) and AN/SRC-61A(V) Radio Communication Systems (RCSs) aboard United States (U.S.) naval vessels. The estimated delivery lead time for these components is 38 weeks.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) Ship & Air Integrated Warfare (SAIW) Division has been tasked by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWARSYSCOM) to support the production of RCSs aboard Destroyer-Guided Missile (DDG) 133, DDG 134, DDG 135, Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) 31, Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) (LHA) 9, and Frigate-Guided Missile (FFG) 62 vessels. This procurement action is required to acquire DMR components in accordance with the drawing package for the AN/SRC-66(V) and AN/SRC-61A(V) RCSs. These components are housed within AN/SRC-66(V) and AN/SRC-61A(V) RCSs to allow the Radio Frequency (RF) signals to be combined from a single power amplifier to up to four power amplifiers for maximum high frequency power output; to absorb significant RF power loss through the combiners; and to dissipate the heat into ambient air via forced cooling air. These High Frequency Dual Amplifier Group systems are installed on various U.S. naval vessels to include DDG, LPD, LHA, and FFG platforms.

DMR Components

ITEM QUANTITY

Heat Sink/Load Box Assembly (HS9411) 13

4-Way Combiner (D9410) 14 Absorptive Low Pass Filter (F9417) 12

Heat Sink /Load Box (HS9618) 12 2-Way Combiner (D9620) 6

High Pass/Low Pass Filter (HPLP10060) 1

Heat Sink/Load Box Assembly (HS10054) 1 180 Degree Hybrid Combiner/Divider (H5722A) 1

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

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The Werlatone equipment detailed in this action was specifically designed to support specific UHF/VHF DMR frequencies required by both U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels to support ship-to-air, ship-to-ship, and ship-to-ground communications. This equipment has been tested and certified for both Shock and Vibration Testing Standards and Ship Environmental Qualification Testing Standards. These tests were performed and certified during the 2013 design phase by the Air Global Positioning System Navigation Program Office (PMW/A-170) under the NAVWARSYSCOM.

In addition to the certifications and approvals above, the Werlatone DMR components have been certified by the Joint Interoperability Test Command. Equipment or components offered by other vendors do not meet the form, fit, or function requirements as defined in the Level III drawings of the UHF/VHF DMR AN/SRC-66(V) and AN/SRC-61A(V) RCSs. These part numbers are exclusive to Werlatone and Werlatone does not have any authorized distributors.

The SAIW Division has been instructed by NAVWARSYSCOM, PMW/A-170 to procure the Werlatone brand components because they are certified, and due to Program of Record (POR) requirements. Procuring other equipment would cause a complete redesign of the AN/SRC-66(V) and AN/SRC-61A(V) systems.

If different components were selected to meet this requirement, the Government would incur a substantial duplication of cost that is not expected to be recovered through competition. The estimated cost to produce new Level III drawings is estimated at $300,000 and would take approximately 12 months to complete. In addition, Shock and Vibration Testing on the new components would take approximately 18 months and an additional $900,000 to complete. An additional $300,000 would be needed to provide training to personnel utilizing the new equipment configuration. The combination of these costs would result in approximately $1.5M in duplication of costs and at least a 30-month delay if the Government were to utilize an alternate source. Utilizing an alternate source would result in major delays to the ship building process, the re-engineering the POR System; as a result, overall shipbuilding schedules would not be met.

Additionally, the DMR Components identified in the Level III drawings of UHF/VHF DMR AN/SRC-66(V) and AN/SRC-61A(V) RCSs identify the Acquisition Method Code (AMC) 3B. In accordance with AMC 3B, the Government is required to acquire components directly from the actual manufacturer, whether or not the prime contractor is the actual manufacturer. As such, the Government is required to contract for these DMR components with Werlatone, Inc.

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

The NAWCAD WOLF SAIW Division conducted market research via multiple online sources and discovered that numerous manufacturers build varying electronic devices that are classified as “radio system” components; however, none fit the AMC 3B that is required as part of the approved drawings for these systems. Notwithstanding, the shipboard communications system design was finalized by NAVWARSYSCOM and specifically requires these DMR components.

A Request for Information (RFI) for this requirement was posted via the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website on 23 August 2022. An RFI response was received from Nobal Supply & Logistics, LLC; however, due to the requirements of AMC 3B, the Government must acquire these components directly from the actual manufacturer. A response was provided to Nobal Supply & Logistics, LLC on 08 November 2022 and Nobal Supply & Logistics, LLC confirmed receipt. No additional responses were received. A revised RFI was posted via the SAM.gov website on 05 April 2023 to correct the Product Service Code (PSC) from 5999 Miscellaneous Electrical and Electronic Components to 5895 Miscellaneous Communication Equipment. No responses were received. A pre-solicitation synopsis was posted via the SAM.gov website on 17 November 2022. No responses were received. A revised pre-solicitation synopsis was posted via the SAM.gov website on 10 April 2023 to correct the PSC code from 5999 Miscellaneous Electrical and Electronic Components to 5895 Miscellaneous Communication Equipment. No responses were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, the NAWCAD WOLF SAIW Division has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAWCAD WOLF SAIW Division will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

Because this effort is a follow-on for supplies previously awarded on a non-competitive basis, in accordance with DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(i), the prior Class J&A was provided to the approval authority for review. Approval of this J&A signifies the approval authority has made the determination required by DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(ii).