Redacted FSS Radome Sets - Signature Copy JA.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

DAHLGREN DIVISION

6149 WELSH ROAD SUITE 203

DAHLGREN VIRGINIA 22448-5130

IN REPLY REFER TO

J&A Number: DN-23-0108 Code: 026 Date: April 25, 2023

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Contracts Department

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a firm fixed priced contract on a sole source basis for the fabrication of 13 sets of frequency selective surface (FSS) radomes; part numbers 93520-E / 93521-C from Vantage Associates, 12333 Los Nietos Road, Sante Fe Springs, CA 90670.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

The proposed requirement is for 13 sets of frequency selective surface (FSS) radomes; part numbers 93520-E / 93521-C. Frequency selective surface (FSS) radomes are a critical component for the AS-4127A antenna associated with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), currently installed on US Navy ships. The FSS material embedded within the radome is required to prevent Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) to/from the JTIDS system to ensure it can perform its mission. The FSS radome sets are needed by January 1, 2024 in order to meet mission requirements. The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

The estimated cost of the proposed contract action is $460,044.00; Fiscal Year 2023 Service Cost Center (SCC) funds will be used to purchase these services.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented in FAR Subpart 13.5.

J&A Number:

NCH 53.6-2

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

Frequency selective surface (FSS) radomes are a critical component for the AS-4127A antenna associated with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), currently installed on US Navy ships. The FSS material embedded within the radome is required to prevent Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) to/from the JTIDS system to ensure it can perform its mission. If the material isn’t incorporated into the radome properly prior to the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Method (VARTM) process, it can be rendered ineffective. Specifically, the fabrication of the units is especially sensitive to fabrication materials, tolerances, and lay-up. The Government awarded two contracts to Pacific Radomes (N0017821P6634; N0017821P6926) in FY21 for these specific radomes with the goal to expand the industrial base and competition. Extensive market research demonstrated that an additional source was available. Both contracts were awarded to Pacific Radomes through the competitive process.

Pacific Radomes delivered the first order of three FSS radomes and they failed the mandatory testing. The Government worked with the vendor to identify the cause of the failures prior to the fabrication of the final radome. The lot of materials for the final radome were delivered to the Government prior to the fabrication to be tested.

The materials passed testing and were returned to the vendor, so fabrication could be completed using these specific materials.

The final order of one FSS radome was delivered in February 2023 using the returned materials and the unit failed the mandatory testing. Based on the results of the individual materials tests and the results of the assembled radome test, it was concluded that the most likely cause of these failures is the vendor’s specific manufacturing processes. Once the FSS material is embedded in the radome, no modifications or corrections can be made to meet antenna specifications, resulting in the radomes being unusable. Vantage Associates successfully manufactured and delivered these exact radomes in 2016, 2017 and 2018. All units passed the mandatory Government testing. This clearly demonstrates that the manufacturing processes used by Vantage Associates will meet the government’s requirements. Full and open competition would not provide the Government opportunity to realize any invested costs.

Selection of an alternate manufacturer would cause the Government and US Navy to incur significant cost and schedule delays and potential non-deliveries impacting fleet operations. Through the last open competition for the FSS radomes, schedule was delayed roughly 18 months causing sponsor deliveries to be shifted or missed. A non-refundable cost estimated around $100k was also incurred in lost product along with additional time estimated at 360 Direct Productive Person Hours (DPPH) testing the failed units costing approximately $54,000 in testing and collaborating with the vendor to receive acceptable product. With the selection of an alternate manufacturer, there is a high risk that the Government and US Navy will incur the same non-refundable cost and continued schedule delays and impacts. In addition, a new vendor would need to build the AS-4127A fabrication fixtures to meet physical parameters of the antenna, learn the material layup and the fabrication process to allow the FSS material to function as required. This would cost the program an estimated additional 12 months beyond current delays and greatly increase the technical and programmatic risk to the sponsor.

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

Market research, discussions with industry and recent contract failures have demonstrated that only one source is available to successfully fabricate and deliver the required FSS radome sets.

Based on these recent losses, it has been determined that only Vantage has the architectural knowledge and fabrication techniques to meet these critical requirements since they have successfully manufactured the identical parts for the same antenna system in the past. The Government has determined that Vantage Associates is the only supplier who can furnish the requirement to the exclusion of other sources is that this vendor has proprietary rights to the engineering, manufacturing, and method of production needed to fabricate these parts to the specifications of the requiring activity. Thus, the minimum needs of the Government can only be satisfied by the unique capabilities that Vantage Associates possesses.

The NSWCDD has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document due to the proprietary nature of this procurement. If a future requirement should arise, reappraisal will take place to determine whether competition is feasible. If another potential source emerges, NSWCDD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

The proposed contract was synopsized on the SAM website on ####### 2023 and only Vantage Associates expressed interest in this requirement. No additional market research was conducted because it is not practicable, for the reasons discussed in paragraph 5 above, for any company other than Vantage Associates to provide the required sets.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the equipment covered by the J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Competition

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, Dahlgren Contract Department has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the type of equipment covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, Dahlgren Contract Department will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

STEFFEY.BRENT.T.1468 Digitally signed by

522833

STEFFEY.BRENT.T.1468522833

Date: 2023.05.03 07:24:39 -04'00' 540 653 0300 5/3/2023

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(b)) I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and its supporting data, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Brent Steffey, B51 Program Manager Phone No., Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

I have determined this justification is legally sufficient.

NSWCDD Legal Counsel, Code 00L, Phone No., Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12)) I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

ROBERTSON.MIRENDA.F.1

127113455

Digitally signed by

ROBERTSON.MIRENDA.F.1127113455

Date: 2023.05.05 13:23:04 -04'00'

Mirenda Robertson, Contracting Officer, 026, Phone No., Date

CORTESE- Digitally signed by CORTESE-

FUSARO.THERESA.ANN.103564826 FUSARO.THERESA.ANN.1035648263

3 Date: 2023.05.03 10:56:23 -04'00'