Redacted JA_FPGA_18C0004_P00018.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND

RADM WILLIAM A. MOFFETT BUILDING

47123 BUSE ROAD BLDG 2272

PATUXENT RIVER MARYLAND 20670-1547

J&A 25-0057

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Headquarters

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification and Approval authorizes and approves a modification to contract N0001918C0004 with General Electric Aviation Systems, LLC, Vandalia (GEAS Vandalia) to procure Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) Part Number (P/N) 5962-9957201QYC as used in the current F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G G4 Generator Converter Unit (GCU) configuration, and the G3 to G4 GCU conversion kits.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The anticipated contract modification is for the acquisition of a Life of Type Buy (LoTB) for a quantity of 220 FPGA P/N 5962-9957201QYC. The original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of this FPGA is Xilinx. In 2021, Xilinx discontinued production of NIIN 015459454/ P/N 5962- 9957201QYC. In February 2024, GEAS contacted Xilinx to inquire about re-opening the production line for a one-time buy to which Xilinx agreed. Xilinx stated that they would be unwilling to produce the FPGA after this one time buy. The estimated dollar value of the GCU FPGAs is $ . funds will be used for this action. The funding profile is shown in the table below:

APPN FY 24 Total ($M)

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.

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(B), the Government has deemed the requirements listed above for the continued development or production of a major system to be available only through the original source and award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Navy’s requirements.

The FPGA is a module on the A11 card in the G4 GCU. The FPGA is part of the G4 GCU configuration and G3 to G4 conversion kit configuration which were procured under the sole-source contract N0001918C0004. The G4 version of the GCU is required to address non-linear loads generated by the increased capabilities of later lot F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G aircraft already delivered.

The PMA265 Power and Propulsion Integrated Product Team (IPT) contacted the Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) Team to assist with locating a replacement for the FPGA. The DMSMS Team was able to determine that there are no direct or recommended replacements for the obsolete FPGA. The IPT gathered historical repair data from the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Item Manager via GEAS and analyzed it to determine a repair demand rate necessary to support the Fleet until 2046, which is when the aircraft are projected to sundown.

The FPGA (NIIN 015459454/ Part Number (P/N) 5962-9957201QYC) produced by Xilinx is the only FPGA qualified for this application in the GCU. Award of this requirement to any firm other than GEAS would result in an unacceptable delay to the repair of GCUs due to the time required to design and qualify a replacement FPGA. Based on the time frames experienced with similar electronic components, PMA265 estimates that at least twenty-four (24) months would be required to design and qualify the FPGA with an additional twelve (12) months required to establish a production line. These time frames represent an unacceptable delay because they would preclude the timely delivery of repaired GCUs required to maintain the 80% mission-capable rate mandated by the Secretary of Defense. Failure to maintain the 80% mission capable rate will reduce the operational effectiveness and readiness of the F/A-18 E/F and EA- 18G aircraft. If there are not any FPGAs on hand to support continued repairs, there is a risk of not being able to support Fleet demand, as the consumption of these parts is anticipated to increase.

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

The sources sought required by Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Procedures, Guidance and Information (DFARS PGI) 206.302-1(d) was waived on 18 November 2024.

In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(11), the proposed contract actions were synopsized on the beta.SAM.gov on 01 OCT 2024. ABT, Inc. of Huntsville, AL and Intilop, Inc. of Miltipas, CA expressed interest in the procurement. The NAVAIR PCO issued letters to both firms on 5 November 2024 which provided rationale for awarding this action on a sole source basis to GEAS. The FPGA is unique in that the pin configuration must be exact for use in the GCU while maintaining the same part number for these components. NAVAIR does not own a technical data package with Government Purpose Rights to produce the FPGA with the proper pin configuration and is unable to provide a drawing package to another company. ABT, Inc. and

Intilop, Inc. confirmed receipt of the letter but did not pursue the issue further. No other responses have been received to date. If any responses are received, they will be reviewed prior to award.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated costs 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 five, NAVAIR has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of requirements covered in this document as this is a one-time procurement in support of GCU repairs.