Platinum_Storage_JandA_(12.10.2020)_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for a sole-source procurement conducted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Dominance Division, Production/Sustainment Branch at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

The procurement supports two separate purchase orders, each with one base year and four option years (10 years total), for storage, maintenance, and protection of government-owned platinum. The sole source contractor is Corning Incorporated of Corning, New York. The procurement will be issued under simplified acquisition procedures using a Firm Fixed Priced purchase order structure. The statutory authority for the sole source award is 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), citing "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." The document indicates the estimated contract cost falls in the $15M to $100M range, though the specific amount is redacted.

The justification establishes that Corning is the only qualified source capable of performing this highly specialized service without substantial duplication of costs. Corning has maintained continuous contracts for platinum storage since the early 1990s at their Manufacturing Services Facility in Bagneaux, France. The document notes that qualifying an alternative source would require expensive training in handling platinum, equipment acquisition, and facility security measures that would exceed the cost of additional years of service with Corning. The performance period runs from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2031. The Contracting Officer approved the J&A on December 10, 2020.