LSJ_REVEAL_FBO_Posting_02OCT2014.pdf

National Transportation Safety Board Limited Sources Justification

“REVEAL Software Enhancements”

1. Program Office/Procurement Request

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of Research and Engineering (RE), Vehicle Recorder Division (RE-40) has committed $ to Purchase Request

(PR) PUR140147.

2. Nature of Action

The purpose of this Limited Sources Justification (LSJ) is to provide documentation that only one responsible source is capable of providing services at the level of quality required, because the services are unique and highly specialized in accordance with FAR 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(B).

3. Description of Requirement

General Dynamics developed a software tool, REVEAL, that is capable of aiding in the discovery and recovery of data recuperated directly from the memory chip of a damaged electronic device. On January 31, 2013, the NTSB received and accepted all deliverables, and the REVEAL application facilitated the NTSB Laboratory’s chip-level recovery efforts.

However, as with most new software applications, REVEAL requires support and maintenance, and as experience is gained, areas requiring enhancement and updated functionality have been identified.

The NTSB has a requirement for a Contractor to provide continuing support of its REVEAL application as it matures and is mainstreamed into NTSB operations. The NTSB has identified the following two (2) Task Areas for support:

1. Task Area 1 – New Features and Functional Enhancements

2. Task Area 2 – System Enhancements

This LSJ serves as a justification for services with respect to the Task Areas listed above.

NTSB intends to issue a task order under General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.’s (GDIT) GSA Schedule for one (1) year (12 months) from date of award. NTSB intends to issue a task order under GDIT GSA IT 70 Schedule.

4. Statutory Authority

Check applicable FAR Citation:

X 8.401 The acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple- Award Schedule Program.

8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

X 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C)

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or

BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

8.405-6(b)(1)

Items peculiar to one manufacturer. An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer. (1) Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

5. Unique Qualifications/Circumstances of Requirement

Specific and intimate knowledge of this package, written entirely in Java programming language, is required to extend the capabilities of this software application efficiently and without compromising existing functionality. Furthermore, extensive familiarity is required to repair programming ‘bugs’ as they are identified. The NTSB requires a Contractor with an extensive understanding of chip-level data recovery and analysis.

In addition, REVEAL was developed with Java, Microsoft SQL, WebDav and JavaViews software products. GDIT is , and their programmers have unique experience in developing REVEAL while having an understanding of NTSB data analysis requirements. GDIT is the only known company with extensive knowledge and understanding of binary data generated and stored in various flight data recorders AND experience/knowledge in Java, Microsoft SQL, WebDav and JavaViews software products.

The required highly specialized combination of flight recorder comprehension and precise programming/software knowledge is only known to be available from GDIT.

GDIT is the only known company with the qualifications, skills, and capabilities to perform this requirement. As stated above, GDIT was the Contractor supporting the development of REVEAL and has a unique understanding of the programming language, structure, and distinctions of REVEAL. A new Contractor enlisted would most likely result a substantial amount of NTSB resources for the Contractor to gain technical comprehension of existing unique software alone, placing the NTSB and the Contractor in a position at risk for loss in ramp-up time to remain on the project schedule. The magnitude of technical efforts involved would lead to duplication of efforts and cost, which are not in the best interest of the Government. Rather, enlisting GDIT for these highly specialized efforts would mitigate risks to the Government’s project schedule, vested resources, and deployment of an enhanced capable product into operations that essentially supports NTSB’s investigative mission.

6. Efforts to Determine Only One Source

The NTSB staff annually meets with representatives from ten (10) international government accident investigative agencies to discuss what tools other agencies use for accident data recovery. In addition, RE staff are active members of government and industry domestic and international flight recorder standards groups. Through conversations with this group, no known vendor could be identified that possesses both the unique flight recorder knowledge and the Java programming experience.

The solicitation will be issued in accordance with FAR Subpart 8.405-2 – Ordering procedures for services requiring a statement of work; and thereunder, 8.405-2(c)(3)(i) - Request for quotation procedures for orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

As compliant, the NTSB is documenting the circumstances for restricting consideration to fewer than three (3) schedule contractors based the level of quality required from only one source due to unique and highly specialized capability described herein.

7. Contracting Officer’s Determination

I have reviewed the information, contained in this LSJ, and determined that based on all the information provided, the anticipated cost of any subsequent sole source award would be fair and reasonable to the Government.

8. Market Research

In addition, the NTSB closely monitors flight data recorder companies to ensure we have the capability to read all types of flight data recorders (FDRs). Through these efforts, the NTSB technical staff have contact with many representatives in a relatively small field of expertise, and through their attendance at conferences and meetings, the NTSB has not identified any other sources with the capabilities to perform this requirement.

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(ii)(2), within 14 days of establishing the task order, a notice of this contract action and LSJ will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov) for 30 days.

9. Other Pertinent Information

NTSB’s technical subject matter experts are extremely satisfied with GDIT’s support, technical understanding and demonstrated ability under the original development of REVEAL. Another Contractor enlisted at the baseline will result in an ineffective duplication of efforts, increased costs, and loss in resources associated with learning the magnitude of existing developments with no guarantee of the required deliverable essential to NTSB’s mission.

10. List of Interested Sources

No other companies/organizations have expressed an interest in this requirement.

11. Efforts to Remove Barriers to Competition

This is a very small niche in FDR programming. Before the development of REVEAL, the only tools available to accomplish this type of data recovery and analysis were generic tools designed to perform non-specific hex editing functions. The continued development and refinement of REVEAL may remove barriers to competition in the future.

http://www.fbo.gov/