Redacted_J_A_21-0026_20210902.pdf

AB

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

5700 18™ STREET

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA 22060-5573

J&A No.21-0026 Contract No.: HQ0276-15-C-0002

1. Introductory Paragraph.

Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Competition Advocate, hereby approve the issuance of the contractual action discussed below using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority cited herein.

2. Agencies and Contracting Activity (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.303-

2(b )(1)).

This Justification and Approval (J&A) is for the MDA, Sea-Based Weapon Systems Program Office (AB) in suppo1i of continuing flight test effo11s. The contractin� AB Contractin Directorate ABK . The oint of contact for this action is-

3. Nature and Description of the Action Being Approved (FAR Part 6.303-2(b )(2)).

The MDA intends to award a sole-source modification to Corvid Technologies, Inc., under contract number HQ0276-15-C-0002 for flight test supp01t. The anticipated modification award will provide a twelve (12) month extension of continued support for mathematical algorithm development, computational analysis, and range safety analysis to include flight test concept development, through execution in suppo1i ofMDA Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM) and related activities. This J&A continues effo1ts approved under pervious J&A No. 14-0006.

4. Description of the Supplies and/or Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs

(including the estimated value) (FAR Part 6.303-2(b)(3)).

MDA is responsible for developing and fielding an integrated, layered Missile Defense System (MDS) to protect the United States and its allies from inissile attack by providing homeland and regional inissile defense. The MDS layered approach includes sensors, kinetic energy systems, directed energy systems, battle management, and c01mnand control elements that will engage threats at all ranges and throughout the battlespace.

This J&A will provide supp011 to the AB Executive Office po1ifolio, to include AB International Directorate (ABI), Foreign Military Sales (PMS), and the Director of Test Planning and Design

(DID).

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10974 (7 Oct 21)

J&A No.21-0026 Contract No.: HQ0276-15-C-0002

In order to successfully execute the mission, the MDA requires mathematical algorithm, computational analysis, and range safety analysis in support of MDS Flight Tests. The support required to successfully execute FTMs and related suppo1ting requirements are:

• Develop and deliver post intercept debris generation and dynamic behavior models

• Threat engagement debris and kill assessment analysis

• Pre and post mission data utilizing Velodyne and related analyses suppo1t for FTMs

• Support test and evaluation working groups

• Range safety suppo1t for all flight test concept development through execution for MDA flight test including but not limited to FTMs, Flight Test, Operational, Flight Test, PATRIOT Interceptor, Fonnidable Shield, non-MDA missions and special studies as requested.

• Engagement in mission planning and mission analysis reviews.

Corvid uses its proprieta1y Velodyne software consisting of hundreds of Corvid developed algorithms (also refened to as the Computational Shock Physics (CSP) codes) to perfo1m shock physics analyses for flight test missions, pre-test predictions and post-test assessments for flight missions as well as to perfo1m other weapon system effectiveness and lethality related analysis.

Under the extension of the contract, Co1vid will continue to develop new input decks and deliver modifications to the existing Government-owned input decks; load and test each modified input deck; perfo1m other code calculations as necessaiy for FTMs; develop and modify input decks as the Standard Missile-3 kinetic warhead and threat designs evolve; and suppo1t MDS FTMs as well as perfo1m other weapon system effectiveness and lethality related analyses.

Co1vid suppo1t in range safety is required to meet the needs and requirements of the Range Commander's Council and Range Safety Officers for each range including but not liinited to Pacific Missile Range Facility and White Sands Missile Range where MDA and non-MDA missions are executed.

Under J&A No. 14-0006, the total approved value was-. Through performance, the estimated contract value has increased to- as a result of modifications within scope of the contract. The AB Program Office is seeking J&A approval for an out-of-scope twelve (12) month extension estimated at . A proval of this estimated- effort will result in a total estimated contract value of . The total cost estimate breakdown for this extension is illustrated in the table below:

Contract No.: HQ0276-15-C-0002

The continued support is required to continue efforts beyond the current contract end date of June 30, 2021, due to a delay in the award of the follow-on contract. The twelve (12) month extension is required in order to maintain continuing Corvid support to MDA upcoming FTMs through Fiscal Year 2022 third quarter. Without executing the twelve (12) month extension, it could impact the MDS mission and execution of the MDA Integrated Master Test Plan flight test schedule. The follow-on Corvid contract is not anticipated to be awarded until July 1, 2022. The period of performance for this extension will be from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

5. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition, (FAR 6.303-2(b)(4)).

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Specific authority for this J&A is FAR 6.302-1(a) (2) (iii):

(iii) For DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in--

(A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition, or

(B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. (See 10 U.S.C. § 2304 (d) (1) (B)

6. Demonstration of Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the Acquisition Requires Use of the Authority Cited (FAR Part 6.303-2(b)(5)).

Corvid has historically supported MDA FTMs to provide critical, real-time activity including advanced computational physics analysis techniques to solve complex engineering and scientific challenges in areas such as fluid dynamics, structural mechanics and shock physics. Corvid provides critical support that includes: developing and delivering post intercept debris generation and dynamic behavior models, threat engagement debris and kill assessment analysis, pre and post mission data utilizing Velodyne and related analyses support for FTMs, support to test and evaluation working groups, and engageing in mission planning and mission analysis reviews.

Corvid utilize their Velodyne software to develop algorithms to perform shock physics analyses for MDA FTMs pre-test predictions and post-test assessments. Corvid has the advanced knowledge using CSP, High Fidelity Computational Physics (HFCP), computational structural mechanics, computational aerodynamics, high strain rate analysis, reaction mechanics, and numerical methods for HFCP in performing previous CSP code calculations based on the input decks.

Unacceptable Delays in Fulfilling the Agency's Requirements: Corvid uses its proprietary Velodyne software consisting of hundreds of Corvid developed algorithms (CSP codes) to perform shock physics analyses for MDA FTMs pre-test predictions and post-test assessments.

Although the Government has Government Purpose Rights (GPR) to the input decks, it does not have GPR to the CSP codes or the proprietary Velodyne software.

Corvid is the original developer of the existing Government owned input decks. Only Corvid possesses the fundamental experience and knowledge on which the original input decks were built. Corvid has experience in applying, to MDA systems, the knowledge of a wide variety of its subject matter experts (SME) including SMEs with advanced knowledge in CSP, HFCP, computational structural mechanics, computational aerodynamics, high strain rate analysis, reaction mechanics, and numerical methods for HFCP in performing previous CSP code calculations based upon these input decks.

Corvid is uniquely poised to meet the requisite mathematical algorithm development and computational analyses for MDA. Corvid is deemed the only source that currently possesses the capability and the in-depth technical knowledge of the system to satisfactorily perform the work.

This expertise cannot be attained by any other contractor within the short timeframe for these services without creating unacceptable delays in fulfilling MDA FTMs. There are 4 Tests or studies ongoing that are not estimated to be completed until September 2021 and 3 FTM’s scheduled through June 2022. Failure to meet the planned FTMs will cause unacceptable delays employing multiple National defense weapon systems. The current contractor has provided this type of expertise for the past eight (8) years and continues to be the only source with the requisite knowledge, expertise and experience to develop and deliver modifications to the input decks in the required timeframe necessary to meet mission requirements.

7. Description of Market Research Conducted (FAR Part 6.303-2(b)(6), (8) and (10)).

In accordance with FAR 5.201, a Request for Information was published on FedBizOpps on September 20, 2013, as a Notice of Award for a sole source contract to Corvid Technologies, Inc. (HQ0276-15-C-0002). The announcement required capability statements to be submitted, if the prospective source believed they could fulfill the requirements. No other prospective source submitted a capability statement in response to the FedBizOpps notice.

An informal analysis of the market capabilities was conducted between January and April 2021 revealing that Corvid produces the proprietary Velodyne software required to complete these requirements. Velodyne is marketed commercially by Corvid. The Velodyne software is configurable for a myriad of applications as necessary for the user’s circumstances and objectives. Corvid has developed and configured their Velodyne software specifically to meet the MDA’s FTMs mission profile and required objectives. The data set generated from FTMs by their configured Velodyne software is ingested into Corvid’s in-house supercomputer to model pre-launch predictive outcomes which are proven to be highly accurate when compared to actual post-launch outcomes. The interim market research indicated that no other firm has; 1) an impact analysis and modeling software comparable to Velodyne, 2) a developed configuration for the Velodyne software that is suitable for the MDA FTMs mission profile in any form, much less with similar levels of accuracy, 3) that insufficient time exists to develop and test a configuration for the Velodyne software to meet the MDA’s schedule, and 4) does not have the combination of data collection and computational and modeling capabilities to meet pre and post launch requirements.

Corvid has been providing mathematical algorithm and computational analysis in support of MDA FTMs for fifteen (15) years. Corvid has provided the above services on two previous contracts: N00024-05-C-6122 (NAVSEA) and HQ0276-10-C-0002 (MDA). Corvid Technologies has had a track record of successful contract performance with MDA with the developed configurations specifically for MDA FTMs.

8. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (FAR Part 6.303-2(b)(7)).

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that all supplies and services under this contract are procured at a fair and reasonable cost. The contractor will submit a formal cost proposal with certified cost or pricing data, and sufficient information to support accuracy and reliability of the estimated costs. A thorough analysis of proposed costs will be conducted. The analysis will include comparisons of proposed costs to costs experienced on the previous contract with Corvid, Inc. Additionally, the Contracting Officer will conduct thorough negotiations to ensure the settlement of fair and reasonable costs that are in the best interest of the Government.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition (FAR Part 6.303-2(b)(9)).

Corvid possesses unique physical and intellectual infrastructure to meet the MDA/AB requirements for computational analysis and mathematical algorithm development. The physical infrastructure includes the super computer hardware and proprietary Velodyne software which Corvid developed at its own expense. Both are required to perform high fidelity computational analyses. The intellectual infrastructure entails a wide variety of SMEs including SMEs with advanced knowledge in CSP, high-fidelity computational physics, computational structural mechanics, computational aerodynamics, high strain rate analysis, reaction mechanics, and numerical methods for HFCP.

As discussed in section 7 above, the Market Research Team concluded that Corvid is the only source that currently possesses the capability and in-depth technical knowledge of the system to satisfactorily perform the requirements for computational analysis and mathematical algorithm development to fulfill Agency requirements.

Therefore, it is in the Government’s best interest to solicit and negotiate the described contract extension with only one source under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

10. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition (FAR Part 6.303-2(b)(11)).

A follow-on contract to meet MDA’s future requirements for these services between June 2022 - June 2027 is currently being pursued. Accordingly, an extensive market research has been initiated and will be used to develop the follow-on contract acquisition strategy.

Through this process, engagement with industry will provide substantial advanced notice of the requirement for potential sources to prepare and develop their own alternative solutions that may be considered to meet the Agency’s needs. This effort however, cannot be completed in sufficient time to impact this extension.

Contract No.: HQ0276-15-C-0002

11. Technical/Requirements Official Certification (FAR Part 6.303-2(c)). "I certify that this justification for other than full and open competition is made in good faith and that the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I further ce1iify that this request is not the result of a lack of advance planning."

12. Contracting Officer (FAR Part 6.303(b) (12)). "I have detennined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and ce1tify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and ability."

MDA/ABK

13. Legal Counsel. "I have reviewed the Justification and detennined it to be legally sufficient."

, Associate General Counsel, Acquisition Law Division, MDA/GCA

14. Contracting Director (Program Level). I have reviewed the justification and recommend it be approved.

�for SBWS Contracting, MDA/ABK

Contract No.: HQ0276-15-C-0002

15. Approval (FAR Part 6.304). fu accordance with FAR Part 6.304, the above justification for other than full and open competition is hereby approved.